Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad (Exhibit)

From September 4 through November 30, 2026, the travelling exhibit, Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad will be on display in Community Room 1 during all the library's open hours.

The exhibit includes first-person interpretive videos and information about some of the courageous individuals who participated in the Underground Railroad. The exhibit is being offered by Looking for Lincoln in partnership with the McLean County Museum of History.

Patrons are also invited to attend these companion programs:

- September 3 at 6:30pm - The Underground Railroad in McLean County

- October 15 at 6:30pm - Lucy Pettengill, Underground Railroad Operator

- November 4 at 7pm - History Reads Book Club discussingOnward to Chicago

- November 14 at 2pm - Joseph Rodney: Freedom Seeker on the Illinois Central Railroad

Those attending the September 3 program titled The Underground Railroad in McLean County will be treated with a preview of the exhibit.

Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad exhibit was produced by The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, also known as Looking for Lincoln. The heritage area covers a vast swath of Central Illinois and is commissioned to tell the stories of the life and times of Abraham Lincoln, which includes the stories of freedom seekers moving through the area.