country legally established by an African American, and it’s 100 miles from Springfield,” says Goebel-Bain, adding that the exhibit is the first to show objects recovered from the settlement’s early years. “Free Frank came here the same year as Lincoln.

Both were originally from Kentucky, and although their lives were very different, both men were struggling with the same things,” she says. When Abraham Lincoln crossed into its borders in 1830, Illinois was a rugged frontier state. As he left for Washington, D.C., in 1861, the population topped 1.7 million, and Illinois ranked among the most populous and productive states in the nation.

From Humble Beginnings tells the remarkable story of a president and a state both in the midst of profound change. The Illinois State Museum has placed the Lincoln collection on the second floor, and the nearby At Home in the Heartland display is a fitting companion. Items featured recount Illinois’ progress from pioneer to modern life in a fun and interactive format.

For local residents who haven’t visited the museum in several years, the impressive renovations and new exhibits are worth the trip.

The ground floor’s Changes exhibit, which opened in 2004, offers innovative and amusing displays that help visitors walk through the changing history of Illinois’ landscape.

Kids always seem to enjoy the hands-on Place for Discovery (which will be replaced by a new play museum next year), and the staff and volunteers pleasantly display a wealth of knowledge and warmth.

On March 24, the museum was one of two facilities in the state accredited by the American Associations of Museums. The accreditation, which is bestowed only upon a small number of U.S. museums, certifies that a program is meeting or exceeding national standards and following best practices in all aspects of its operation.

Although donations are encouraged, From Humble Beginnings is free and runs until January of 2010. The museum is located on the corner of Spring and Edwards streets in Springfield, and can be reached at (217) 782-7386, or via http://www.museum.state.il.us.

Zach Baliva is a filmmaker currently living in Springfield. You can keep up to date with his current project at http://mynameisjerry.com.