Abolition, the spark that ignited a revolution

A tumultuous time in Illinois, to be explored at history symposium March 7-9

One hundred fifty years ago this year, Abraham Lincoln was elected president and the slavery question was threatening to dissolve the nation.In Illinois, Lincoln’s allegedly “free” s

Mad for ‘Mad Men’

University of Illinois symposium looks at the 1960s through the lens of the television drama

From the bored housewife and the determined workingwoman to the philandering businessman, the television drama “Mad Men” explores a cast of 1960s archetypal characters, and displays them w

A pictorial history of the ‘city of the dead’

New book marks 150 years for Oak Ridge Cemetery, the nation’s second most-visited

One hundred fifty years ago this year, Springfield’s Oak Ridge Cemetery was dedicated by former mayor James Conkling as a “city of the dead.” A new book by former city historian Edwa

Killer flu hits Springfield

October 1918: Death rules the capital city

A few weeks ago, as I nursed my son through swine flu, I frequently thought about my great-grandmother. She had lived in Athens, northwest of Springfield, and nursed her son during another flu pandemi

Springfield’s own Rosie the Riveter

“All the day long, Whether rain or shine, She’s a part of the assembly line. She’s making history, Working for victory, Rosie the Riveter…” -from

When the railroad first came to Springfield

In the 1830s, when people traveled by foot, horse, stagecoach or boat, Illinois developed a railroad. It was ahead of its time.

A fair start, 156 years in the making

The Illinois State Fair began in 1853 as a salute to agriculture.The founders of the newly-created Illinois State Agricultural Society wanted to give farmers an arena to discuss and advance their prof

A 19th century pop star finds Springfield bad news

It’s never easy being a star, but if you believe a superstar concert pianist from that time, it was especially difficult in Springfield in the 1860s. The New Orleans-born Louis Moreau Gottschalk

An Illinois artist’s amazing life after death

The sad story begins with rotten childhood in a Lincoln asylum

“Too late now,” said Henry Darger, an 80-something retired janitor and former central Illinois resident, as he waited for death at a Chicago charitable institution i

Korean War National Museum comes to downtown Springfield

Temporary exhibit and gift shop open in anticipation of permanent site

Springfield resident Larry Benson served in the Korean War, working first as a radarman and then for a chaplain. Last Friday, Benson joined dozens of other veterans from central Illinois