HISTORY | A program about progress

On Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m., join the Sangamon County Historical Society and Oak Ridge Cemetery executive director Michael Lelys for a program focusing one of the nation’s leading historical sites. Oak Ridge Cemetery, established in 1865, now encompasses 365 acres and is the largest municipal cemetery in Illinois. The cemetery attracts close to one million visitors per year, second only to Arlington National Cemetery. Lelys, who has served as the cemetery’s executive director since 2011, will discuss some of the planning conducted by cemetery officials and historical society members to prepare the cemetery for the re-introduction of the popular cemetery walks, which were put on hiatus several years ago to allow for extensive renovation. Wednesday’s informational program is free and open to the public. For information about this about this or other Sangamon County Historical Society programs, visit http://sangamonhistory.org or call 525-1961.