Illinois Historic Preservation Agency

09/08/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/09/2026 09:25

Harvest Frolic returns to Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site Sept. 26-27

SPRINGFIELD - The Lincoln Log Cabin Foundation and Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site will host the annual Harvest Frolic Sept. 26-27 at the historic site near Charleston. This free, family-friendly event celebrates autumn with activities inspired by mid-19th-century agricultural fairs.

Weekend activities will include live music, hearth cooking, food preservation demonstrations, apple cider pressing, children's crafts and games, candle dipping and traditional craft demonstrations. Visitors can also watch blacksmithing, chair caning, rope making, tinsmithing, wood carving, leatherworking, spinning, weaving and pottery demonstrations.

An Abraham Lincoln impersonator will be on site throughout the day Saturday and Sunday morning. Entertainment will include a one-ring circus, performances by Clockwork Clown, Highland Games, vintage base ball games on Saturday and historic cricket games on Sunday.


The event is part of the We Want More History initiative, a nationwide celebration of history programming taking place Sept. 25-27, coinciding with National Public Lands Day.
Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site
a gateway site for the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, was the 1840s home of Abraham Lincoln's father and stepmother, Thomas and Sarah Bush Lincoln. The site is located at 402 S. Lincoln Highway in Lerna.

About IDNR


The Illinois Department of Natural Resources was established in 1925 as the Illinois Department of Conservation, bringing under one umbrella oversight of fish and game, forestry, public works, and lakes. Today, IDNR's work encompasses management of about 400 sites across Illinois, including state parks and historic sites; wildlife, fisheries, forestry, and natural heritage; Lake Michigan water allocation and coastal management; conservation police; mines and minerals; oil and gas; issuance of licenses, permits, and numerous grants; the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta; and the Illinois State Museum. Visit https://dnr.illinois.gov and follow us on Facebook , YouTube and LinkedIn .
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency published this content on September 08, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 09, 2026 at 15:27 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]