Explore the early years of Illinois statehood, when proslavery advocates fought to legalize slavery despite the state’s designation as “free.” This dramatic performance-presentation brings to life the words of key figures from both sides of the struggle, illuminating the complexities of their arguments and the forces that shaped them. Combining historical readings, visuals, and audience […]

Come enjoy a selection of oil paintings by Elgin fine artist Nick Freeman. Capturing the Moment showcases Freeman’s life-long interest in bringing to life the people, places and things that embody the fleeting and the timeless. Free admission. Nick will be at the Nancy Kimball Cobblestone House to answer questions. This is the last public […]

Illinois is the nation’s railroad crossroads. This not only shaped the state’s economy and communities but created an industry with a cultural allure. The speeding locomotive was a real-life representation of progress, and people gathered trackside to marvel at the big city opulence represented by an Illinois-built Pullman car. Railroads not only accelerated Illinois’ economic […]

Drinks, Snacks, and the Bureaucracy of Immigration. Having gone through the process of applying for a marriage-based Green Card, Luiza became acutely aware of the skill with which legal and bureaucratic protocols create obstacles for immigrants that border the absurd. As an artist, she created a performance that is a blend of dance, lecture, healing […]

Drinks, Snacks, and the Bureaucracy of Immigration. Having gone through the process of applying for a marriage-based Green Card, Luiza became acutely aware of the skill with which legal and bureaucratic protocols create obstacles for immigrants that border the absurd. As an artist, she created a performance that is a blend of dance, lecture, healing […]

PLEASE NOTE: The start time of the Hilltop Cemetery Tour was published incorrectly. The tour starts at 10am, not 10:30am. Sorry for any inconvenience. Tucked into the Elgin Sports Complex is the burial ground for the old Elgin State Hospital. Tour the cemetery with historian Bill Briska to discover this little known site and some […]