Prairie State Wire

The public has the opportunity to explore a part of American history through "Voices of the Village" at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site in Menard County. The events are scheduled for 1 p.m. on the first Sunday of every other month from May to November.

These hour-long interactive lectures will focus on the history of Lincoln's New Salem, featuring artifacts and stories from that era. Visitors can gather at the site from 12:30 p.m., with a musical prelude beginning at 12:45 p.m. Light refreshments will be available during the events.

The schedule for the series includes:

- On Sunday, May 4, the program "Pioneer Mothers of New Salem" will explore the lives of mothers in New Salem during the 1830s, highlighting interesting stories and artifacts in honor of Mother's Day.

- On Sunday, July 6, the program will focus on "Illinois College at New Salem," delving into the history and connection between the college and New Salem, including the role of Illinois College interns over the decades.

- On Sunday, September 7, visitors can attend a lecture on the "History of Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site," which covers not only Lincoln’s time but also the site's reconstruction history.

- Finally, on Sunday, November 2, the program "Holidays in the 1830s" will showcase how various holidays were celebrated across 19th-century America, highlighting the differences from modern celebrations.

For more details on Lincoln's New Salem and upcoming events, updates are available on Facebook.