Working Side by Side to Preserve Central Illinois Heritage
At the heart of central Illinois, we are dedicated to weaving a rich tapestry that connects individuals with the region's vibrant history. Our initiatives encompass a wide range of activities, including traveling exhibits that bring the past to life, collaborative projects that unite local communities, and valuable grants and training programs designed to empower local historical organizations.
We take pride in supporting the numerous local, county, and regional historical societies, museums, and heritage sites. These institutions play a crucial role in preserving our shared history, and together, we are fostering a deeper appreciation for the stories that shape our identity. Join us in celebrating and exploring the fascinating past of central Illinois – there's so much to discover!
Local History Check-In
+
Local history organizations play a vital role in shaping community identity, yet many face challenges related to limited space, budgets, staffing, and visibility. To support this important work, the Sangamon Experience hosts a Local History Check-In each fall and spring for staff and volunteers from local historical societies, museums, and heritage organizations.
These informal gatherings provide a welcoming space to share recent successes, ask questions, and exchange practical ideas—from improving access to collections and programs to exploring best practices for working with educators and aligning local history resources with Illinois learning standards.
Led by staff who understand the realities facing local organizations, the Sangamon Experience is committed to strengthening operations, building connections, and elevating the stories of Central Illinois. Whether you are looking to network, problem-solve, or learn from peers, the Local History Check-In is designed to support you.
Interested in joining our next Local History Check-In?
Contact us to be added to the invitation list for upcoming fall and spring sessions.
Past Local History Check-In Events
| Local History Check-In (Spring 2025) | Digging Deeper (Fall 2025) |
|---|---|
 Sangamon Experience brought together 20 Central Illinois history organizations. We celebrated what local history organizations are doing well, introduced potential solutions for what they struggle with, and had some good fun along the way. |  Take your local history research to the next level with Digging Deeper: Researching Central Illinois with Local Archives. This informative workshop introduced participants to key research tools and collections housed at the Illinois State Archives, the Sangamon Valley Collection at Lincoln Library, and the University of Illinois Springfield Archives. |
Rural Initiative
+
Explore. Preserve. Teach Local History.
Join the Sangamon Experience’s Rural Initiative this summer and help uncover the stories that define Central Illinois. This four-month project connects educators, students, and local historical societies to preserve rural heritage and bring it into the classroom.
Summer 2026 Project Overview
From May–August 2026, participants will:
- Document and Preserve Local History – Partner with a local historical society to digitize key artifacts and preserve local history.
- Develop Curriculum Resources – Create engaging, standards-aligned lesson plans for K–12 classrooms.
- Strengthen Community Partnerships – Collaborate with historians, educators, and residents.
- Share Stories – Contribute to the Sangamon Experience’s growing digital collection and storymap platform.
Free opportunity for Local History Organizations, Museums, and Libraries- Summer 2026 Applications Available after January 2026
- Partner with educators to showcase your community’s history.
- Select up to 20 artifacts for digitization and online display.
- Receive digital copies for your records.
- Gain regional visibility through the Sangamon Experience storymap.
- Build lasting school and university partnerships.
Participating counties include:
Bond, Cass, Christian, Fayette, Greene, Jersey, Macon, Macoupin, Mason, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Sangamon, and Scott.
Local History Resources
+
Whether you’re looking for resources for your latest project, school assignment, or family history research, there are more resources available online and in local collections. Please take a look at some online resources that may help you discover more about Central Illinois on our Local History Research page.