News

Call for papers

The 2004 Illinois History Symposium takes a turn toward the technical with the theme Engineering Illinois: Science, Medicine, and Technology Since 1818. History buffs, teachers, grad students, and professional historians are invited to submit proposals on all aspects of Illinois history, with special consideration given those related to the topic. The symposium will take place December 3 and 4 in Springfield.

For the first time in its 25-year history, the symposium will also feature documentary film and videos about Illinois history. Producers of such work are welcome to submit samples for consideration.

The deadline for submissions is March 26, 2004. Address them to the Illinois State Historical Society, 210 S. 6th St., Suite 200, Springfield, IL 62701. Each proposal should include a summary of the topic and a one-page resume of the participant. The summary should specify the major sources used in the research. The Society will notify individuals of their selection in June. For more information, call 217-525-2781.

Century businesses wanted!

The 2004 ISHS Centennial Awards Program is looking for Illinois businesses and not-for-profit corporations that have operated continuously in the state for 100 years or more. Qualifying businesses will be honored at the Centennial Awards Banquet, to be held at Chicago's Palmer House Hilton on October 15. Since 1984, more than 1,100 businesses have been recognized, including the Chicago White Sox. the Salvation Army, SBC, the John Deere Company, the Montgomery County News, the Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home, dozens of banks and insurance companies, and many more businesses. (For a complete list visit our website at www.historyillinois.org.) Call 217-525-2718 for a Centennial Awards Application, or download one at our website.

Bon voyage, Lewis and Clark

The departure of the "Corps of Discovery" from Illinois will be

reenacted and interpreted May 13-16, 2004, at the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Anniversary Weekend, in Hartford, Illinois, and surrounding areas. Lectures, commentary, period music, and living history interpretation highlight the free, four day celebration. The "200th Anniversary Launch" will take place on Friday, May 14, 2004, at the Great Rivers Confluence, commemorating the official start of the Corp of Discovery Expedition. Journal readings and dramatic 60-minute portrayals featuring several of the explorers General William Clark, Sacajewea, York, and others will be presented throughout the celebration, and "President" Thomas Jefferson will make dedicatory remarks. For a complete list of bicentennial activities in Illinois, visit: http://vww.lewisandclearkillinois.com

Prize money for student scholars

The Illinois State Historical Society invites Illinois high school students to participate in an essay contest about Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War era. Essays should be between 1,000 and 1,500 words with an annotated bibliography and suggestions for further reading. The focus of the essay should be on Abraham Lincoln or a significant event in the Civil War period in Illinois. The Illinois high school student whose research paper is selected will be given an award of $1,000, plus a certificate. The deadline for 2004 is May 31.

The winning author will be honored and presented a check at the Banquet of the Illinois History Symposium in December 2004. The winning essay will be published in the January/February issue of Illinois Heritage magazine, the popular history magazine of the Illinois State Historical Society. For more information, call 217-525-2781, or visit the Society's web site at www.historyillinois.org.

The Verna Ross Orndortt Scholarship was established in 1989. A resident of River Forest, Ms. Orndorff was a lifelong student of Illinois history.

Historians are those whose job is to remember what other citizens would rather forget

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