Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site

Special Events at New Salem

Join us all year long for a variety of special events and demonstrations -- All held in the historic village of Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site.

Join in the Tradition...

...and Escape to the Past. New Salem offers several opportunities for the visitor to be active at our historic

site. The New Salem Lincoln League is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the village by sponsoring special events, craft demonstrations, and raising funds necessary to assure the continual care and preservation of this piece of the Heart of America. We offer a large volunteer program, where interested people can work in the village, at the visitor's center, or one of our stores and become an active member of our site operation. People interested in becoming a part of either of these groups should contact the site and request application material. We look forward to getting to know you!

May 3, 2008 - Antique Farm Show: Plowing demonstrations will be held at New Salem using draft horses and antique farm equipment. Hours 9am - 4pm, weather permitting.
May 31, 2008 - Glory Days, an 1830's Militia Muster: An 1830's Militia Muster with signing up for militia service and drilling will be held. The sound of musket fire will be heard on the prairies and bluffs of New Salem. The public will be invited to march carrying weapons (brooms) where Lincoln and the men of Sangamon County marched off to war in 1832. 10am - 4pm both days.
June 01, 2008 - Glory Days, an 1830's Militia Muster: An 1830's Militia Muster with signing up for militia service and drilling will be held. The sound of musket fire will be heard on the prairies and bluffs of New Salem. The public will be invited to march carrying weapons (brooms) where Lincoln and the men of Sangamon County marched off to war in 1832. 10am - 4pm both days.
June 28, 2008 - All in a Day's Work: Bring your family out to enjoy a "day in the life" of the average New Salem family. Observe cooking on the hearth, washing and mending clothes, spinning, weaving, knitting, butter churning, dipping candles; making baskets, and more. Home health care and home schooling were also part of everyday life as was gardening, tending the animals, chopping wood, toting water and fetching the eggs. The Ann Rutledge Quilters and The New Salem Fiber Guild will also display quilts and textiles at the New Salem Visitors Center. Hours: 9am to 5pm.
July 26, 2008 - Morgan Horse Demonstration: The Mississippi Morgan Horse Club will present a daylong exhibit and demonstrate the many uses of Morgan horses. Demonstrations will be held at 10:30am, 1pm, and 3pm.
September 6, 2008 - Traditional Music Festival: Impromptu demonstrations and performances of early 19th century music and dancing will occur throughout the pioneer village of New Salem. Hours: 10am to 5pm both days.
September 7, 2008 - Traditional Music Festival: Impromptu demonstrations and performances of early 19th century music and dancing will occur throughout the pioneer village of New Salem. Hours: 10am to 5pm both days.
September 20, 2008 - Fur, Feather and Fin, Frontier Style: Learn how New Salem's most misunderstood resident, Jack Kelso, made his living hunting, fishing and trapping in Central Illinois during the 1830's. Witness firsthand how early pioneers put food on the table and clothing on their backs. Demonstrations will include hunting with bow and arrow, fishing with nets, the trapping of various animals, and operation of an 1830's smokehouse. Hours: 9am to 5pm.
October 3, 2008 - Candlelight Tour: Bring the family to experience New Salem village after dark. Interpreters in period clothing will welcome you into the reconstructed log homes of the historic village where Abraham Lincoln lived for six years. Hours: 7pm to 9pm both nights.
October 4, 2008 - Candlelight Tour: Bring the family to experience New Salem village after dark. Interpreters in period clothing will welcome you into the reconstructed log homes of the historic village where Abraham Lincoln lived for six years. Hours: 7pm to 9pm both nights.
October 4, 2008 - Historic Surveying: An 1830's surveying party will be viewing (surveying) the road throughout the village using period instruments and interpreting their function. Hours: 9am to 5pm both days.
October 5, 2008 - Historic Surveying: An 1830's surveying party will be viewing (surveying) the road throughout the village using period instruments and interpreting their function. Hours: 9am to 5pm both days.

New Salem is constantly offering special lecture series, weekend workshops and other chances for the public to learn more about New Salem and the 1830's culture as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the public's relationship with our site. If you are interested in more information about our special events, volunteer programs, the New Salem Lincoln League or the Discovery Series, please contact us at 217/632-4000 and we will be happy to answer your questions. All Special Events are free and open to the public.