PROGRAMS & EVENTS
All aspects of the story of Quincy, Adams County, and Illinois history are the focus of adult and student programs of the Historical Society throughout the year. 

UPCOMING EVENTS: 2025

List of Services

    Calendar of Events 2025



    March 12                Bicentennial Speaker Series Orr Auditorium, JWCC 6:00 pm, Social

          Arlis Dittmer 6:30 pm, Program


    March 23               Meeting Room Reveal HSQAC Visitors Center 2-4:00 pm

      425 South 12th Street

                                     

    April 9                     Medical Maladies                        Mary Ellen Orr Auditorium                                    6;30 pm

                                     George Crickard                          1301 South 48th Street, Quincy

                                     Bicentennial Speaker Series                                                  


    April 13                   Quincy Artist John Quidor        Quincy Art Center                                                   2:00 pm

                                     Presenter, Dr. Patrick Hotle  1515 Jersey


                May 10                    A War Like No Other                     Quincy University                                                   9:00 am

                                                  WWII Symposium                         N Campus Auditorium


    May 14 Breaking America Mary Ellen Orr Auditorium 6:30 pm

      Dr. Patrick Hotle & 1301 South 48th Street

      Terrell Dempsey  

                                     Bicentennial Speaker Series



    October 4,11,18   Woodland Cemetery Tours    Woodland Cemetery                                                  5:30; 6:00; 6:30; 7:00 pm

    25 & 31                                                                     1020 South 5th, Quincy

               Reservations required-$20/person



    December 13,19  Christmas Candlelight Tours  425 South 12th Street                                             5:00; 5:20; 5:40; 6:00       

    20, 26 & 27            Gov. John Wood Mansion        Reservations required-Free                                   6:20; 6:40 pm 

                   



    ADULT PROGRAMMING

    LECTURES & PRESENTATIONS

    Monthly adult presentations, such as lectures or book talks pertaining to regional historical figures and issues, are held primarily at the History Museum on the Square, 332 Maine Street. On occasion the Visitors Center or the John Wood Mansion venues are also used. Examples of programs include: General Paul Tibbets IV; Illinois Bicentennial; New Philadelphia (Frank McWhorter); Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas; Quincy’s Red Light District; and Buffalo Soldier: Garfield Mosby.  

           CEMETERY TOURS

     WOODLAND 
    CEMETERY TOURS
    A gravesite tour at Woodland Cemetery, 1020 S. Fifth Street, is held on Saturdays in October, and often on Halloween. Re-enactors in period dress relate first-person stories in the 43-acre public cemetery. Distinctive grave markers are highlighted for their symbolic markings. Tours generally run 50 minutes. 

       CANDLELIGHT TOURS


    GOVERNOR JOHN WOOD MANSION 
    Another annual event is the Christmas Candlelight Tour of the Governor John Wood Mansion scheduled on at least four evenings in December. The festive ambiance created by holiday decorations and seasonal music contributes to the popularity of this Quincy tradition.

    SPECIAL EVENTS

    The Society often partners with other local historical organizations to present special events. Quincy’s Lincoln Legacy Working Group, which includes HSQAC, hosts the Lincoln in the District Festival the first Saturday in May. The Washington Park event celebrates Lincoln’s ties to Quincy friends and the Lincoln-era. Quincy Preserves Inc., which fosters awareness of the architectural treasures of Quincy, and the Tri-States Civil War Round Table are additional partners. 

    STUDENT PROGRAMMING

    The Society also offers student programs for area schools, many of which are designed to enhance the curriculum studied at a specific grade level: Log Cabin (3rd grade); Governor John Wood Mansion (all age groups); Quincy at the Time of the Civil War (5th grade); History Museum on the Square (all age groups); Quincy in the Lincoln Era (7th grade). Click here for the Arts Quincy Education Resource Guide!

    LOG CABIN PROGRAM

    The Log Cabin program offers students in the 3rd grade the opportunity to experience pioneer life in the early 1800s much as John Wood did when he arrived in the area that is now Quincy. Experienced volunteer interpreters guide students through the 1835 cabin and the herb garden, provide information about life on the frontier, and demonstrate various 19th century crafts. Students also learn about the Native Americans who lived in this area when settlers arrived.

    GOVERNOR JOHN WOOD MANSION

    Students of all age groups will have the opportunity to tour the Governor John Wood Mansion, the two-story 1835 Log Cabin, the Livery, and the Lincoln Gallery. They will learn about life in the early 1800s, the man who founded Quincy and became governor of Illinois, and Quincy’s connections with Abraham Lincoln. The visit may be tailored to meet special interests and specific classroom curricula.

    QUINCY DURING THE CIVIL WAR

    This program is tailored to students in the 5th grade and focuses on the Civil War and its influence on Quincy past and present. The program includes a tour of the Governor John Wood Mansion, the restored home of John Wood who was the founder of Quincy and the 12th governor of Illinois.

    HISTORY MUSEUM ON THE SQUARE

    Students of all age groups will view changing and permanent displays that include artifacts from the early history of Quincy, the Mormon Refuge Room with the keys to the original Mormon Temple in Nauvoo, the Window onto the Square Interactive Display, the Stained Glass Gallery, and the lost watercolor art of Quincyan Edward Everett from the 1800s. An outdoor Sculpture Garden with historic architectural elements is also available. The visit may be tailored to meet special interests and specific classroom curricula.

    QUINCY IN THE LINCOLN ERA

    This day-long interdisciplinary field experience designed to appeal to 7th graders is provided by Quincy’s Looking for Lincoln working group. Students with accompanying adults rotate to six Lincoln-related historic sites and activities in Quincy that include the Lincoln Gallery, Dr. Richard Eells House, Lincoln-Douglas Debate Site and Interpretive Center, History Museum on the Square, LFL Wayside Exhibits, and Log Cabin Village.
    Note: Programs may be tailored to fit individual classroom needs. For details, contact the HSQAC Office at 217-222-1835 or email us at: info@hsqac.org