The Illinois Gallery, presented by Motorola

The Illinois Gallery is a flexible gallery presenting an ever-changing series of visiting exhibitions, or exhibitions drawn from the Library's own collections.


Traveling Exhibits



Abraham Lincoln: Self-Made in America examines Lincoln's life from his beginnings in the crudest of circumstances to his ascension to the presidency and his assassination.

Current Exhibits



Come immerse yourself in Lincoln's story...and so much more!
Illinois Stories, "How Vast and How Varied a Field" The Agricultural Vision of Abraham Lincoln, is an exhibit exploring the complex history of one of the most influential states in the U.S. including Lincoln's role in it. Leading up to the bicentennial of Illinois statehood in 1818, Illinois Stories will take an in-depth look at the history of the great state that Lincoln called home.

"The Flames Caught Us" Cherry Mine 1909 exhibit marks the 100th anniversary of the Cherry Mine Disaster. On November 13, 1909, a fire broke out at the St. Paul Coal mine in Cherry, Illinois that claimed the lives of 259 men and boys.

Upcoming Exhibits




TEAM OF RIVALS: Lincoln's Cabinet at the Crossroads of War

This exhibition will take you inside the highest levels of the United States government as Abraham Lincoln and his cabinet struggle with the momentous issue of war. Restricted to the information they possessed at the time, you will confront the perplexities and options they faced during the first weeks of Lincoln's presidency — and decide for yourself if they made the right choices...