Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
03/11/2026 | Press release | Archived content
Springfield state historic sites hosting March programs, spring break activities
SPRINGFIELD - State historic sites in Springfield are hosting a series of special events in March, including evening tours, family programs, educational workshops and the launch of the annual spring break "History Comes Alive" programming.
Highlights this month include the new historic sites volunteer expo, a spring break program developed in partnership with Visit Springfield at the Old State Capitol State Historic Site, and the Women's History Month Chair Exhibit presented in partnership with Wooden It Be Lovely, on display at the Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site through April 15.
Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site events
March 12, 19, 26
Family board game night, 5:30-7 p.m. Reservations recommended.
March 13, 20, 27
Evening tours, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.
March 18, 25
Art Night, 5:30-7 p.m. Reservations recommended.
March 24
Wouldn't it Be Lovely chair exhibit opens.
Old State Capitol State Historic Site events
March 14, 21, 28
History Nights. Presentations at 5, 5:45 and 6:30 p.m.
March 17-21
Volunteer Expo
Spring Break: History Comes Alive schedule
Saturday, March 21
19th Century Toy Making Workshop, 12:30-1:15 p.m.
Lincoln Live: Gettysburg Address, 1:30-2 p.m.
Historical crafts with the Springfield Art Association, 2-4 p.m.
Live music, Peaches and Bacon, 2-2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 24
19th Century Toy Making Workshop, 12:30-1:15 p.m.
Lincoln Live: House Divided Speech, 1:30-2 p.m.
Wednesday, March 25
Tales as Tall as Lincoln with Brian "Fox" Ellis, 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.
19th Century Toy Making Workshop, 12:30-1:15 p.m.
Cotton and the Civil War: The Plant That Changed Everything, 3 p.m.
Thursday, March 26
19th Century Toy Making Workshop, 12:30-1:15 p.m.
Lincoln Live: Gettysburg Address, 1:30-2 p.m.
Live music, Peaches and Bacon, 2-2:30 p.m.
Friday, March 27
Lincoln's Love for Animals featuring a therapy mini horse, 11 a.m.-noon.
Soldiers Aid Society, 1-4 p.m.
Meet Mary Ann Bickerdyke: Heroic Civil War Nurse, 3-3:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 28
Summit Hill Junior High School Band performance, 10 a.m.
19th Century Toy Making Workshop, 12:30-1:15 p.m.
Lincoln Live: Gettysburg Address, 1:30-2 p.m.
Historical crafts with the Springfield Art Association, 2-4 p.m.
Live music, Peaches and Bacon, 2-2:30 p.m.
Capitol Canvas family paint event featuring Studio on 6th, 1-3 p.m. ($35 per person; $65 adult and child; $120 family).
Tuesday, March 31
19th Century Toy Making Workshop, 12:30-1:15 p.m.
Lincoln Live: House Divided Speech, 1:30-2 p.m.
About IDNR
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources was established in 1925 as the Illinois Department of Conservation, bringing under one umbrella oversight of fish and game, forestry, public works, and lakes. Today, IDNR's work encompasses management of about 400 sites across Illinois, including state parks and historic sites; wildlife, fisheries, forestry, and natural heritage; Lake Michigan water allocation and coastal management; conservation police; mines and minerals; oil and gas; issuance of licenses, permits, and numerous grants; the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta; and the Illinois State Museum. Visit https://dnr.illinois.gov and follow us on Facebook , YouTube and LinkedIn .
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency published this content on March 11, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 17, 2026 at 16:52 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]