James O. Horton of George Washington University discusses the "black codes" put in place to discourage free blacks settling in antebellum Illinois and also examines the thriving urban free black communities which sprang up regardless of these codes.
To view this clip, select "African Americans and Black Codes in the Antebellum North" under "African-American Experience Video."
James O. Horton of George Washington University contrasts the Eastern radical abolitionist views of slavery, epitomized by those of William Lloyd Garrison, with the more conservative views on race relations held in Illinois—from which Abraham Lincoln developed his own views.
To listen to this clip, select "Abolitionism in Antebellum Illinois" under "African-American Experience Video."
Produced by Jeffrey Chown of the Northern Illinois University Department of Communication, this documentary chronicles the Black Hawk War of 1832, looking also at the events that led up to it and its repercussions. It focuses on the roles of Sauk war chief Black Hawk and a young Abraham Lincoln. The documentary is divided into 18 short downloadable videos.
To view this documentary, scroll to the set of 18 links separated from the main Abraham Lincoln's Biography Video selections, and choose a section to view.
Eric Foner of Columbia University discusses the perception of abolitionism in central Illinois, where Lincoln grew up, and Lincoln's own perceptions of slavery and of abolitionism.
To view to this clip, select "Lincoln and Abolitionism" under "Abraham Lincoln's Biography Video."
James O. Horton of George Washington University describes Abraham Lincoln's reaction to first viewing slavery in action on plantations, and discusses his changing views on slavery and what that ability to change says about him as a man and a president.
To view this clip, select to "Abraham Lincoln's Changing Attitude Towards Slavery" under "Abraham Lincoln's Biography Video."
John Mack Faragher of Yale University describes the religious environment in central Illinois during Abraham Lincoln's lifetime, focusing on the importance of church involvement to communities.
To view this clip, select "Lincoln's Religious Beliefs" under "Abraham Lincoln's Biography Video."
Professor Lucas E. Morel details the debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in the 1858 campaign for an Illinois seat in the United States Senate. Morel looks at the discussion of slavery in these debates and examines Frederick Douglass's thoughts on the African-American condition at this time.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Tuesday, June 22nd, 10:45 am-12:15 pm session; and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.
An older version of this lecture can be found here.
Professor Lucas E. Morel details the debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in the 1858 campaign for an Illinois seat in the United States Senate. Morel looks at the discussion of slavery in these debates.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Tuesday, June 22nd, 9:00 am-10:30 am session; and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.
Older versions of this lecture, from newer to older, can be found here and here.
If you happen to be looking for federal primary sources from Ohio, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, or Illinois, a good spot to check is the Chicago office of the National Archives and Records Administration. Records available include bankruptcy records, Chinese Exclusion case files from Chicago and St. Paul, Michigan and Illinois Selective Service System Name Index records, and naturalization records. Other topics represented in the collections include, but aren't limited to, African American history, Depression era history, disasters, espionage, and maritime history.
Consider looking through the site's finding aids to get a sense of the collections available on location.
When visiting, be ready with an official photo ID and willingness to fill out a short form concerning your interests. Leave your pens behind (pencils are permitted), and prepare to leave your belongings in a locker or in your car.
Looking for more directed opportunities? Check out the archives' upcoming events. If you teach in Illinois or Indiana, you may even be eligible for continuing education credit.
In addition to the aforementioned public programs, there are workshops designed specifically for teachers. Find them (and more opportunities) under the Workshops heading.
Archivists are ready and willing to help your students define their research topics and select appropriate primary sources, for National History Day projects or other endeavors.
The Elk Grove Historical Museum interprets the lifestyle of Illinois pioneers from the mid-19th to early 20th centuries and the local history of Elk Grove and its development. It preserves the 1856 Schuette-Biermann farmhouse, the 1880s Deike family barn, an early 20th-century chicken coop and privy, as well as a reproduction one-room schoolhouse.
The museum offers exhibits, tours, standards-based education programs for pre-K through 6th grade, and other recreational and educational events.