Waukegan museum hosts Civil War walking tours

The Waukegan History Museum of the Waukegan Park District and the Waukegan Historical Society will give the free guided walking tour "Waukegan's Civil War Sites" on Saturday, April 16.

To register for this event, call the Waukegan Park District's Jack Benny Center for the Arts at (847) 360-4740. The center is at 39 Jack Benny Drive in Bowen Park. Register online at www.waukeganparks.org.

On the walking tour led by museum Supervisor Ty Rohrer, participants will learn the history of Waukegan related to the time of the Civil War. The reactions to the start of the war, local war efforts, famous local soldiers, as well as events leading up to the war - including the Underground Railroad and Abraham Lincoln's visit to Waukegan - will be highlighted throughout the tour.

This tour starts promptly at 10 a.m. at the Waukegan Park District's Veterans Memorial Plaza on the southwest corner of Washington Street and West Street in Washington Park. The tour lasts about 90 minutes.

Dress according to the weather with comfortable walking shoes and bring something to drink. Tours may be canceled if there is rain or other inclement weather.

The Waukegan History Museum is at 1917 N. Sheridan Road in Bowen Park. The museum is free and open to the public Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m.