While America is planning to celebrate 250 years in 2026, Vermilion County is holding a celebration for its bicentennial — 200 years.
Susan Richter, the Director of the Vermilion County Museum, said the celebrating began with the Festival of Trees in December and continues with an exhibit learning about the underground railroad in Illinois, and more.
The ‘Journey to Freedom’: Illinois’ Underground Railroad exhibit will be on display in Danville starting on Jan. 15 and running until March 28.
The exhibit shares stories of freedom seekers and the multi-racial conductors, and the communities in Illinois that were part of the Underground Railroad. Some historical figures highlighted are: John and Eliza Little, freedom seekers; a conductor names Henry who worked for President Abraham Lincoln; as well as Mary Ann King Brown — a woman who helped many to freedom in Galena, Quincy, and Springfield.
“Well, and maybe it’ll interest children in their own local history,” Richter said about bringing children to the various exhibits and events.
Richter added the local schools will get in on the celebrating with a bit of visual learning.
“Starting in January, there’s going to be storyboards that are going into the grade schools from fifth grade through eighth grade,” Richter said. “They can utilize those to learn about county history. Those will travel around the Danville schools in the spring, and the county schools in the fall, and then those will be utilized in the local libraries during the summer.”
About the story boards, Richter says students will learn things like famous people of the county, county firsts — like when the first railroad came, businesses, and more.
Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad is being presented by ‘Looking for Lincoln.’
“We are so honored to share this new exhibit with the community,” said Sarah Watson, executive director of Looking for Lincoln. “Many of these Illinois Underground Railroad stories have not been shared in one place. It is so inspiring to learn more about the bravery of all these people who took so many risks to fight.”
The exhibit will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Vermilion County Museum, located at 116 N. Gilbert Street in Danville.
There are many events celebrating 200 years of history in Vermilion County throughout 2026. Richter said the best way to stay up to date is to start following their Facebook page titled, ‘Vermilion County 200th Anniversary.’
On their website, you can find a list of not only their events, but other events in the community — which Richter says may change.
“For the Catlin Strawberry Festival, we may end up sending historical characters there. So if we do that, then all of a sudden it’ll be well highlighted in red,” Richter said, explaining the difference. “And Westville is going to really be doing some neat stuff,” she added, noting of things to come.
Richter added there is one event not added yet, but it will be:
“We’re going to do some driving tours, of some historical driving tours parts of the county,” Richter said. “Those will be posted as soon as those days ready.”
For more information, visit www.vermilioncountymuseum.org or call them at 217-442-2922.
“There’s a lot to do in Vermilion County, and each town individually has a lot of offers,” Richter said of the upcoming festivities. “And people, a lot of times, are not really aware what’s going on really close to home.”
A few of the posted upcoming events:
Songs of the Freedom Road by Chris Vallillo on Jan. 24 from 2-5 PMSpecial February free Saturday — Center building and exhibit only, Feb. 7th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Lincoln Birthday Open House, Feb. 8th, 1:30-4 p.m.Quaker Abraham Smith — Radical Abolitionist on the Illinois Prairie, by John Everett Ellis on March 12 6-8 p.m.