Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
04/15/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/16/2026 13:54
New Salem Militia to muster at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site
PETERSBURG - Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site in Menard County will muster a reenacted version of the New Salem Militia with an encampment in the historic village April 24-25. This will be the first militia event at the historic site in more than a decade.
Volunteer interpreters from Lincoln's New Salem will portray the everyday Illinois militiaman during the Black Hawk War of 1832.
"This time holds a special place in Illinois history due to Abraham Lincoln's brief service in the state militia," said Troy Gilmore, superintendent of Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site. "As president, Lincoln looked favorably upon his service, noting later that 'nothing gave him so much satisfaction in his life as his experience with the militia.'"
Volunteers will present that period in 1832 wherein militia life was commonplace for the village of New Salem. Throughout the historic village during the event, visitors will find various historic interpreters conducting flag raisings and lowerings, company drills, black powder firing demonstrations, and company elections. The militia and visitors also can take part in a presentation of an 1830s church service on Sunday.
The event coincides with Scouting America's Lincoln Pilgrimage, a longstanding event that has occurred for more than 75 years. In honor of the 16th president, scouts across the Midwest gather at Lincoln's New Salem to camp, hike between various Springfield historic sites, and complete a 19-mile hike between the site and Springfield.
With the special events, Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site will have special event hours. The visitor center will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with Sunday hours of 9 a.m. to noon. The historic village, trails and recreational areas are open daily from dawn to dusk.
Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site
at 15588 History Lane in Petersburg is one of 56 state historic sites managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Built in the 1930s and 1940s as a Civilian Conservation Corps program, the site's historic village features 23 historically furnished buildings, including several homes, stores and tradesmen's shops, as well as a tavern, school, wool carding mill, sawmill and gristmill. Scattered throughout the village are log barns and other outbuildings.
at 15588 History Lane in Petersburg is one of 56 state historic sites managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Built in the 1930s and 1940s as a Civilian Conservation Corps program, the site's historic village features 23 historically furnished buildings, including several homes, stores and tradesmen's shops, as well as a tavern, school, wool carding mill, sawmill and gristmill. Scattered throughout the village are log barns and other outbuildings.
In addition to the village, the 700-acre park features hiking trails, a campground, picnic areas and playground equipment.
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency published this content on April 15, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 16, 2026 at 19:54 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]