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Springfield Historic Sites Programming and Special Events
Special Events
At the Springfield State Historic Sites, our events are always changing and we are pleased to offer a variety of programs ranging on various topics related to our sites. Check here for our latest offerings for each site.
Dana-Thomas House
- April - September 2026: High School Floral Arrangement Initiative. Starting April 18, area high school students are mentored by volunteers from the Springfield Civic Garden Club and create décor to be displayed from April through September in the Dana-Thomas House. Our building and grounds team is also coordinating with the volunteer office to recruit area high school to start seeds for annuals to be used in planters at the historic sites.
- Sunday, May 31: Paint-A-Pot Class at the Dana-Thomas House Hosted by Ceramics Handmade by Rosie, 2-4pm - All materials will be provided in this fun class for you to paint a ceramic piece of your own! Pieces will be taken to the studio to be fired and available for you to pick up at a later date. Reservations Required: https://square.link/u/OHR5pK5t. Classes for June are also available:
- Thursday June 11th | 5.30-7.30 PM - https://square.link/u/LLz3EbJj
- Sunday June 21st | 2-4 PM - https://square.link/u/DV5RaPKm
- Thursday June 25th | 5.30-7.30 PM - https://square.link/u/Lc5mFmZQ
- Saturdays, June 6 and June 27 ONLY: Zoo Booth at the Dana-Thomas House, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm - Henson-Robinson Zoo brings nature to the Dana-Thomas House for you to enjoy! Stop by to learn about about wildlife conservation and meet zoo animals! Free and open to everyone; no reservations needed.
- Saturday, June 20: Jazz in Bloom, 6:00-9:00 pm - Annual fundraiser for the Dana-Thomas House Foundation, featuring music, food and a silent auction. Tickets required; purchase tickets at https://members.dana-thomas.org/ap/Events/Register/NaFlWQmCYCaCm
Old State Capitol
- Friday, June 12: Lunch and Learn with Nikole Hannah-Jones, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm - More information coming soon.
- Opening Friday, June 12: NOIR 6: The Truth - Curated by Austin Wells and co-curated by Jaliyah Ross, this years’ exhibit connects past struggles with present realities while envisioning more equitable futures. These works encourage audiences to reflect on how art can both record history and actively participate in shaping it. NOIR VI: The Truth invites audiences to engage, thoughtfully, with the histories and perspectives that shape our shared cultural TRUTHS.
- Friday, June 12: Juneteenth Family Day Celebration, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm - The Illinois State Museum and State Historic Sites invite you to join us for our Juneteenth Family Day Celebration. Throughout the day, we will enjoy art, explore history, engage with Illinois state agency partners, and share in the spirit of freedom, unity, and identity. This special occasion also celebrates the opening of ISM’s sixth annual Noir art exhibition, highlighting powerful original works by artists of color from Illinois. This program will be held at Old State Capitol State Historic Sites, located at 1 Old State Capitol Plaza. This program is free to attend, and all are welcome. This program is in partnership with Juneteenth, Inc. https://www.facebook.com/share/17iPQnEcY4/
- Saturday, June 20: The Gathering of the Bookalos: A Silent Book Club Springfield Historic Sites Edition Lincoln Tomb Residence, 3:00-4:30 PM - Want to carve out time to read but don't want the pressure to finish and discuss a specific book? Want to learn what others are reading and low-key socialize? It sounds to us like you may be a Bookalo. The Gathering of the Bookalos is an off-site BYOBook Silent Book Club. There is no assigned reading, you just bring whatever book in whatever format you'd like and read it quietly alongside others who are doing the same thing. That's it. It's a time dedicated to quiet reading, learning about what others are reading, and hanging with folks out in the community. Reservations will be strongly recommended and are available on the Lincoln Library website here: https://www.lincolnlibrary.info/event/gathering-bookalos-silent-book-club-25766
Illinois Governor's Mansion
- Thursday, June 11: Evening Tour of the Illinois Governor's Mansion - More information coming soon
Weekly Programs
Dana-Thomas House
Read, Reflect, and Create Night | Mondays: June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
At 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy a relaxing evening in the peaceful atmosphere of the Dana House. Bring a book to read, bring your journal or sketchbook and reflect on the day, bring your current craft project and create, or use our materials to try our featured craft project. You are also welcome to bring your own light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Free and open to all ages; reservations are suggested at https://dthreadreflectcreatenight.eventbrite.com
Game Nights | Wednesdays: June 3, 10, 17, 24
At 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Bring your family, friends and favorite board game to a table in one of the mansion’s historic rooms. Guests are also welcome to bring light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Free and open to all ages; reservations required as tables are limited. Sign up on our Eventbrite page: https://dthgamenights.eventbrite.com/
Art Nights | Thursdays: June 4, 11, 18, 25
At 5:30-7:30 PM
This month we will offer a number of art nights in partnership with both Studio on 6th and Ceramics by Rosie. Classes on June 4 and 18 will be hosted by Studio on 6th and June 11 and 25 will be hosted by Ceramics by Rosie. For more information on each event and to sign up, follow the links here:
- https://www.ceramicsmadebyrosie.com/paintapot
- https://square.link/u/WZGzsCMm (Faux Stained Glass Class, Studio on 6th)
- https://tinyurl.com/ggdthwg (Giggles and Glasses Class, Studio on 6th)
Date Night at the Dana-Thomas House | Fridays: June 5, 12, 19, 26
At 5:30-7:30 PM
Tour the Dana House with your friend, date or partner. Enjoy light refreshments and a special film presentation during your visit. Reservations are required and are available at https://DateNightatDTH.eventbrite.com
Old State Capitol
Capitol Creations | Saturdays June 6, 13, 20, 27
At 1:00-3:00 PM
Create something special in our historic space, guided by our partners at Studio on 6th, the Original Art Co-Op. Each week will offer a different art creation experience. To sign up, as reservations are required, follow the link here: https://square.link/u/r949aTJu
Living History Nights | Saturdays from June 6 - August 8
At 5:00-7:00 PM
Explore the building on a self-guided tour and participate in two living history programs. More information and optional reservations available at https://historynightsosc.eventbrite.com
- 5:30 PM: Custodian of Freedom: William Butler’s Capitol Tour
- 6:00 PM: Frederick Douglass: Abolitionist & Orator visits Springfield
Lincoln Tomb
Flag Lowering Ceremony | Tuesdays June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
At 7:00 PM
Reenactors of the 114th Illinois Infantry Regiment will provide a ceremony to honor President Lincoln and lower the flag that flies over the tomb. Visitors are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and/or blankets to watch the ceremony and enter the drawing for a chance to receive the flag that has flown over the tomb the previous week. Free and open to all ages. Please note, this ceremony will include loud noises, including gunfire and possibly a small mortar.
Upper Deck Tours at Lincoln Tomb | Wednesdays June 3, 10, 17, 24
At 5:30-7:30 PM:
Enjoy an evening of Civil War-era music performed by a live brass ensemble, then experience a rare, after-hours tour of the Lincoln Tomb’s upper deck. Get a closer look at the ornate exterior sculptures and hear the stories behind the monument’s design and symbolism. The presentation about the sculptures and tomb history will also be offered in an accessible area for those unable to climb the stairs to the upper level of the tomb. Note: No music on June 3. Suggested Reservations will be available through Eventbrite coming soon.
History Comes Alive - June 4 - August 8
The State Historic Sites at Springfield are excited to be a part of the 16th season of History Comes Alive. Programs are offered throughout the city, with our staff and volunteers. Stay tuned for future History Comes Alive programming at our sites. More information about History Comes Alive is available on the Visit Springfield website at https://visitspringfieldillinois.com/Landing/HistoryComesAlive.aspx
Note: These are the programs held at our sites only; these programs may also be offered at other locations and days/times as well.
- Peaches & Bacon (Fiddle & Banjo Duo) - Old State Capitol: Tuesdays, 1:00 pm, Wednesdays 1:00 pm
- Civil War Tunes with Corporal Andy - Old State Capitol: Actor and musician Andy VanDeVoort sings songs, demonstrates instruments, and tells stories of the Civil War. Tuesdays, 2:00-2:30 pm
- America’s Story in Song: Appalachian Music - Old State Capitol: Discover the rich traditions of Appalachian music and is influence on American history. Wednesdays, 11-11:30 am, Thursdays, 11-11:30 am (No program June 11)
- Lincoln Troubadours (Vocal Acapella Group) - Old State Capitol:
- Wednesdays: 11:30 am, 3:30 pm
- Thursdays: 11:30 am, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm
- Fridays: 11:30 am, 3:00 pm
- Saturdays: 11:30 am, 2:00 pm
- LINCOLN LIVE - Old State Capitol:
- House Divided Speech - Wednesdays: 12:00 pm, Saturdays: 3:40 pm
- Emancipation Proclamation - Fridays: 12:00 pm
- Gettysburg Address - Saturdays: 12:00 pm
- Instruments of the Civil War with Mike Anderson - Old State Capitol: Wednesdays: 12:30-1:00pm, Thursdays: 12:30-1:30 pm (No program June 11)
- Abe’s 19th Century Toy Making Workshop - Old State Capitol: Wednesdays: 1:00-1:30 pm, Saturdays: 1:00-1:30 pm
- Revolutionary Songs with Mike Anderson - Old State Capitol: Wednesdays: 1:30 pm
- One Amazing Week: John Jones & the Fight for Equality - Old State Capitol: Step into 1865 as John Jones leads the charge to repeal Illinois’ oppressive Black Laws. Wednesdays: 2:00 pm
- Harriet Tubman: In Her Own Voice - Old State Capitol: Ask questions and interact through a conversational experience with one of America’s most courageous leaders. Thursdays: 1:00-3:00 pm
- Burr Oak String Band - Old State Capitol: Old Time, Raggy Blues, Bluegrass & Folk. Thursdays: 1:30-1:50 pm
- Lincoln on Trial with William Herndon - Old State Capitol: Interactive exploration of some of the most important trials in Lincoln’s career as told by his law partner. Thursdays: 1:30 pm
- America’s Story in Song: Modern Folk - Old State Capitol: Mike Anderson shares the evolution of modern folk through the music of Peter, Paul & Mary. Wednesdays: 2:30 pm, Thursdays: 2:30 pm (No program June 11)
- Ulysses S. Grant - Old State Capitol:
- Ulysses S. Grant and Ending the War - Fridays: 10:30 am, 2:30 pm
- Ulysses Grant’s Traveling Trunk - Fridays: 12:30 pm
- Centennial President 1876: Ulysses Grant - Fridays: 1:30 pm
- Clash of Titans: The Lincoln-Douglas Debates - Old State Capitol: Fridays: 1:00-1:40 pm
- Meet the Soldier’s Aid Society - Old State Capitol: Get a hands-on look at how local women supported Union soldiers during the Civil War, from gathering supplies to caring for troops passing through Springfield. Fridays (June 12 and 26 ONLY): 1:00-4:00 pm
- Celebrating His 200th Birthday: General John A. Logan - Old State Capitol: Fridays: 2:00-2:30 pm
