Prairie State Wire

The annual candlelight walk at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site in Menard County, Illinois, is expanding to three weekends in October 2025. This decision aims to accommodate the increasing number of visitors and reduce congestion at the park. The event will take place on October 3-5, October 10-12, and October 17-19, with hours from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Natalie Phelps Finnie, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), which operates the site, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion: "We're thrilled to expand this beloved event to multiple weekends, offering people more opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the historic village by candlelight while also taking a little pressure off our dedicated staff and volunteers."

The success of the candlelight walk heavily relies on volunteers. Troy Gilmore, acting superintendent of Lincoln's New Salem, emphasized their importance: "The New Salem candlelight walk is the wildly successful event it is today because of support from dedicated volunteers. We couldn't do it without them." Volunteers interested in participating can sign up by emailing dnr.newsalem@illinois.gov.

During the event, pathways will be illuminated with candle lanterns. Staff and volunteer interpreters dressed in period clothing will provide insights into life in the original village and 19th-century Illinois. Visitors are encouraged to keep flashlights off while exploring.

Lincoln's New Salem features a historic village built during the Civilian Conservation Corps program in the 1930s and 1940s. It includes historically furnished buildings such as homes, stores, tradesmen's shops, a tavern, school, wool carding mill, sawmill, and gristmill across its 700-acre park.

The IDNR celebrates its centennial year in 2025. Established on July 1, 1925 as the Illinois Department of Conservation, it now manages around 400 sites across Illinois including state parks and historic sites. More information can be found at https://dnr.illinois.gov.