Welcome to the Illinois State Historical Society
The mission of the Illinois State Historical Society is to foster awareness, understanding, research, preservation, and recognition of history in Illinois.
The Society was founded in 1899 to support the Illinois State Historical Library and to encourage research and writing on subjects of Illinois history. Though independent of the State of Illinois and the Historical Library since 1997, the Illinois State Historical Society continues to actively promote the study of Illinois history. The Society encourages everyone from university scholars to local historians to take an active part in Illinois history.
The Society is a not-for-profit organization which depends solely onmembership dues, gifts, bequests, and foundation grants to support, preserve, and disseminate the story of Illinois and its people.
As a not-for-profit organization serving the whole state and dependent on the efforts and the support of many, the Society asserts it will operate on the following principles:
- Excellence: We strive for the highest quality in our products, services, and events.
- Efficiency: We use our limited resources carefully and to the greatest effect.
- Participation: We provide opportunities for volunteer activities at the state level.
- Diversity: We are interested in the variety of Illinois groups, communities, regions, organizations, eras, leaders and events.
- Broad Scope: We recognize that history in Illinois is intrinsically related to regional, national, and international history.
- Non-partisan: We take positions on current issues only as they might relate to our mission, vision, and goals.
The Illinois State Historical Society’s mission relies on partnerships.Support our effort to foster awareness, understanding, research, preservation, and recognition of history in Illinois. Please consider becoming amember to help us achieve our goals.
Contact Us
Illinois State Historical Society
Strawbridge-Shepherd House
PO Box 1800
Springfield, IL 62705-1800
62705-1800
217-525-2781
“The Conversation”
Care about Illinois history enough to make a solid (bronze) commitment to the Illinois State Historical Society? Donors of $2500 or more will receive “The Conversation,” a limited (25 total made) edition casting of a new statuette by renowned Lincoln sculptor John McClarey on the theme of the first conversation at the White House between Frederick Douglass and President Lincoln, which took place on August 10, 1863. This is truly a wonderful keepsake and a statement about the power of listening in a world drowning in noise. Call or email today to donate and own a piece of history.
217-525-2781
kim.jones@historyillinios.org
To add your upcoming event please email your information toclerical@historyillinois.org.
Be sure to include, date, time, address of event, and the subject.
For Help – we are only a business office and no research is done here. But if you need help in finding where or who you need to go to for help in your research, please emailclerical@historyillinois.org and we will help you find a place to contact or a person to call.