The Digital Research Library of Illinois History® was developed to support the Facebook history group; "Living History of Illinois and Chicago®" (LHIC) as a knowledgebase and repository for Illinois documents, books, research papers, and other Illinois history resources. Our mission is to present, preserve and investigate Illinois history.
We are proud supporters of the yearly Illinois regional state History Fairs and the Statewide finals, held in Springfield, for Junior (6th-8th grades) and Senior high school students. Volunteer judges are needed statewide for the Illinois regions and the Chicago Metro History Fairs. Please email for more information or to volunteer as a judge for the 2018 school year.
We've got your ticket to the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. If you love the Chicago World's Fair... you found Utopia!
The Reading Room contains antique books, research papers, photographs, listing of the "special days," and amazing 3D CAD video tours.
We are pleased to announce the creation of the Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal™ "Saving Illinois history, one story at a time."
The Journal presents the "best of" our Facebook group posts and new stories in a friendlier format. Being membership free, anybody can add their comments to the postings in the Journal.
Listen to historical accounts being read outloud while you look-over the photographs and images that are presented with the text version.
The evolution of teaching and presenting history, in a meaningful and memorable way, has taken a huge leap forward. The use of social media allows Living History of Illinois and Chicago® group members and the non-membership Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal™ to add to the richness of the historical presentions with their historical knowledge, personal experience and supporting documents. The result truly enriches the experience for all readers.
NOTE: Many of the books, documents and videos in the Digital Research Library of Illinois History® are VERY LARGE FILE SIZES. Please be patient when downloading a file as the time it takes to complete the download is dependent upon the users bandwidth speed. The materials provided in the Digital Research Library of Illinois History® are appropriate for readers that are at least 13 years old. [PG-13]. Parental supervision suggested.
Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Including a Day by Day Record of Sherman's March to the Sea. pub:1906
Burma-Shave History. Including over 500 multi-sign advertising messages seen on Illinois and US Highways.
History of Southern Illinois, its Historical Progress, People, Principal Interests. pub:1912 - Volumes 01, 02, 03
Nicholas Jarrot Mansion, Cahokia, Illinois - Illinois' Oldest Brick House Blueprints. [completed 1806]
Skokie (Niles Centre), Illinois - Old businesses within a block radius from downtown Skokie's center.
The Early History of Illinois: from discovery by the French in 1673, until cession to Great Britain in 1763.
Jokes told by Lincoln; selected from the Illinois State Historical Library Lincoln collection. pub:1960
Opinions on 'slavery,' and 'reconstruction of the Union,' as expressed by President Lincoln. pub:1864
Narrative of the Mssacre at Chicago, Saturday, August 15, 1812, and of some preceding events. pub:1914
The Great Chicago Theater Disaster, (Iroquois Theater Fire of 1903) Story told by Survivors. pub:1904
NOTE: The books and documents are in the public domain and therefore, the copyright has expired. If there is any material on this website that is copyrighted, all rights belong to the copyright owner. The Digital Research Library of Illinois History website provides this information as an Illinois historical knowledge base. Contact - LivingHistoryOfIllinois@yahoo.com