Library to Celebrate Illinois' Bicentennial with Special Programs

The Illinois bicentennial will be celebrated with a variety of programs this summer at the Schaumburg Township Library. The programs, which take place in June, July and August, are free, but require registration. To register, call the Adult Information Desk at (847) 923-3347 or sign up online at www.SchaumburgLibrary.org. All of the following programs take place at the central library location, 130 S. Roselle Rd., Schaumburg.

Windy City Road Warrior Dave Clark will virtually explore the National Road, the Bates Test Road and more during "200 Years of Illinois Roads" from 2:30-4 p.m., Friday, June 15 in the Rasmussen Room. Attendees will see the evolution of footpaths into roads that established Illinois as a leader in highway design.

What did the founders of Illinois dream about, eat, drink, and wear? Join Ellie Carlson for an 1818 party celebrating Illinois' statehood during "We're Gonna Party Like it's 1818!" from 2:30-4 p.m., Friday, July 13 in the Rasmussen Room. Participants are welcome to have their silhouette made, dance to 1800s music and sample cornbread. Costumes encouraged, but not required.

Music that reflects the story of Illinois will be the focus of "Music to Commemorate Illinois Bicentennial" from 2-3 p.m., Wednesday, July 18 in the Rasmussen Room. This program includes blues and rock-and-roll songs about farmers, workers and labor struggles, as well as disasters and tragedies.

Train aficionados won't want to miss "Rails that Linked the Land of Lincoln" from 2:30-3:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 3 in the Rasmussen Room. Author-historians Gerry and Janet Souter will tell stories of the Illinois railroads, from leaky, steam-driven teakettles to high speed passenger trains hurtling from Chicago to Springfield.

For a full list of summer programs, see the library's June-July Guide which will soon be mailed to Schaumburg Township residents and will also be available online at www.SchaumburgLibrary.org.