If you would like more information on local history including events, museums, background information and resources, you may like to subscribe to a FREE quarterly magazine put out by the Illinois State Museum.

This colorful publication, entitled The Living Museum, packs information on the many historical monuments, museums, and sites available to you around our state. It also includes information on current exhibits at various museums so you can plan them into your schedule.

For more information about this publication, or to subscribe, check out the Illinois State Museum website, or email them at: subscriptions@museum.state.il.us

Another opportunity to see Illinois history come alive:

A River Thru History is a living history reenactment of early American life, as it was on the Illinois frontier prior to 1848, with emphasis on local history from the fur trade era to the canal era. The goal of this rendezvous is to be the premier event of this type in this area by creating an exciting, entertaining and educational experience for all ages. To this end, we strive to create a better understanding and appreciation of our history by allowing the public and the reenactors to mingle, both as witnesses and participants, in our event. Finally, we seek to have the most authentic and highest quality reenactors and trade goods to represent our vision of the rendezvous. This is consistent with the overall goal of the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor Civic Center Authority, which is to promote and enhance the historic, recreational and economic development of this new style National Park.

When: October 10,11 — also a “school day” available on Friday the 9th for $3 per person

Where: Columbia Woods, Willow Springs, IL

What: Early American food, Music, crafts, canoe races, and more

Cost: Children under 6 — FREE
Children 6-12   $3
Senior over 62 $4
Youths 12-18    $4
Adults                  $8
Family pass        $18

See their website for full details, A River Thru History.

Coming in October is the annual Trail of History. Said to be one of the largest gatherings of historical reenactors, this event brings you back to the era of fur traders and pioneers.

From the website:

The Trail of History is a living history interpretive event. Interpreters from across the country portray and demonstrate life as it was from 1670 – 1850 in the former Northwest Territory which encompasses present day Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and portions of eastern Minnesota. The event’s focus is to show the interrelationship between nature, man and cultural development.

The first event occurred in 1989 and was named the Kames Rendezvous. In 1990, the event was renamed Trail of History to reflect the increased focus toward living history interpretation. Today there are over 150 encampments. The Trail of History encampment is nestled at the foot of the glacial kames in the rolling terrain of Glacial Park. It occurs annually the third weekend in October just as the prairie grasses and trees display their vibrant colors.

The McHenry County Conservation District presents the Trail of History with the assistance of numerous volunteers and other areas and re-enactors from across the country.

What you can expect:

• Marvel at the swordmanship skills!

• View a re-enactment of military tactics during the French and Indian War.

• Children will enjoy learning in the frontier schoolhouse, making cornhusk dolls or candles and playing pioneer games. Parents, bring a camera to photograph your children at the dress-up area!

• Dr. Balthazar will awe visitors with his traveling medicine show.

• Visit vendors selling authentic wares and culinary treats.

• Musicians, dancers, and much more!

Admission: In Advance (before October 7) /At the Gate
Adults: $5/$7
Seniors (60+) & Children 6-12: $2/$3
Children 5 and under – FREE

See the website for more details and to order your tickets

Walmart is not the only place for back to school specials. The homeschool community is also bursting at the seams with special deals for people looking to stock up on items needed for the year ahead. For just another couple days you can enjoy an incredible discount at NotebookingPages.com.

Here is the deal through Friday, August 7th, 2009:

Gearing up for next year? Have a big wish list? With so many homeschooling curriculums, resources, and books available, it’s tough to pick and choose the best for your family and it’s even more difficult to make it all fit your budget. We cut the busywork out of our days years ago with notebooking and put an end to the major spending as well. Finish your year without regrets! At the end of the school year, instead of looking at unfinished workbooks and curriculums with regret and guilt, we pull out our notebooks and look back with joy and satisfaction on all we learned. It’s amazing to watch the kids read back over their notebooks – such pride and enthusiasm for what they captured from their studies. Now is a great time to get started! Perhaps you are a seasoned notebooking family or maybe you’ve been waiting to finish your current course of study before giving notebooking a try.  Whatever the study, whatever the topic . . .now is a super time to start (or stock up) with one (or ALL!) of our sets because . . .

EVERYTHING in the store is 50% off!

**Use the discount code below during checkout to receive your savings**

Click Here to Visit Store

Right now she has an unreal sale — for just $50 you can get all the pages she has created (the list is huge! States, Latin, history, character, etc.)

Even if you don’t decide to take advantage of the deals she has to offer right now, you can check out her many free resources that she has made available. I have used a number of these over the years with my kids. Well done, and ready to use.

This taken from an article in a local paper:

Replicas of two of Christopher Columbus’ ships are scheduled to spend nearly a week at Waukegan Harbor beginning July 29.

The “Pinta” and the “Nina” will be docked next to the Waukegan Yacht Club until their departure early Aug. 3. They will be open for viewing for a charge.

Both ships will be touring together as a new and enhanced “sailing museum” for the purpose of educating the public and school children on the ships used by Columbus and many early explorers to discover the world.

While in port, the public is invited to visit the ships for walk-aboard self-guided tours. The prices are $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and $5 for children. Children 4 and under are free. The ships will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. No reservations necessary.

Teachers or groups wishing to schedule a 30-minute guided tour with a crew member should call the ship directly at (787) 672-2152. Minimum of 15 and the cost is $3 per person. Visit the Web site at www.thenina.com for additional information.

Sounds like a great educational activity! To prepare for your trip here are some links on Christopher Columbus:

• Wikipedia entry on Christopher Columbus
• A few relevant chapters from This Country of Ours
• Enchanted Learning has some great printables and a summary of Columbus info
• And, one more, a brief biography with an online matching game at the end

Happy Exploring!