Making history at Lincoln's Home

The 2005 Illinois History Symposium is over, a fitting birthday celebration for the state's 187th year. But before it all becomes a memory, we thought we'd share a few highlights and images from the festivities.

■ Attendance at the Illinois History Video Fair was up 50 percent from last year, and the screening for "The Sangamon River: A Sense of Place" was standing room only.

■ More than 500 schoolchildren in Springfield and Jacksonville participated in the Prairie Folklore Theatre productions on French colonial history.

■ Registration was up signficantly for this year's symposium, and the Society had greater participation from teachers and grad students.

Students from Cathedral School in Springfield get a lesson in French voyageur culture from Prairie Folklore Theatre during the 26th annual Illinois History Symposium.                                Photo by William Furry.

■ More than 135 people registered and attended the Symposium banquet, held this year at the Illinois Governors Mansion.

■ The Civil War Round Table session on Friday evening drew more than 60 people to the Illinois State Military Museum on a cold night.

■ The Symposium breakfast at Maldaner's Restaurant, a first-time event for the Society, was sold out.

On behalf of the Society's staff and volunteers, as well as this year's cosponsor, Illinois College, we thank you for making this three-day celebration of Illinois history a rousing success. We'll look for you at the 2007 Symposium in Bloomington/Normal.

Illinois Heritage 17