Power of Place: Exploring LaSalle County and Chicago's South Side
March 19, 2025 @ 6:00AM — March 20, 2025 @ 9:00PM Central Time (US & Canada) Add to Calendar
Research and Collections Center: 1011 E Ash St Springfield, IL 62703 Get Directions
Join the Illinois Historical and Illinois State Museum Societies on an overnight bus trip to explore the past and present influences that changed lives and witness many achievements accomplished by diverse voices.
What happens when a community becomes a symbol of hope or heartache? How do communities grow and change, whether welcome or not? Throughout history, the people of Chicago’s South Side and LaSalle regions have transformed the geography, society, politics, culture, and economy, guiding the growth of power and influence in these places.
Together, we shall explore how lives were transformed in the vibrant communities of Chicago’s South Side and LaSalle County. We invite you on this journey to unearth the profound influence of place.
NOW AVAILABLE!: Need a lift? Convenient pick-up and drop-off in Bloomington; just let us know! Plus, we've got four full travel scholarships up for grabs – two for current educators and two for high school students who bring a paying adult sidekick along for the ride! To register for a scholarship call Kate at 217.524.4222.
Highlights include:
- Starved Rock State Park and Lodge overnight; eagle watching as available
- Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum
- Tour Radium Girls sites
- Visit the I&M Canal Interpretive Center
- Bronzeville Historical Society Library and Museum in Historic Parkway Ballroom
- Be among the first visitors to the newly opened National Public Housing Museum
- Tour of Bronzeville and Woodlawn neighborhoods, with stops at the homes of Ida B. Wells and Emmett Till, the church of Till’s funeral, and at Richard Hunt’s memorial sculpture for Wells.
This trip is made possible by a generous grant from Healing Illinois. Healing Illinois is a racial healing initiative of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), in partnership with The Field Foundation of Illinois where United Way of Central Illinois serves as the Region 4 Intermediary.
Cancellation Policy: If a participant requires cancelling their reservation on the bus trip a partial refund (minus processing fees) will be available.
Cancelling one month or more from departure (by February 19): Receive 75% refund
Cancelling no less than two weeks out from departure (by March 5): Receive 50% refund
Cancelling no less than one week out from departure (by March 12): Receive 25% refund