ANNUAL MEETING

Attend the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Illinois Geographical Society, was held April 23 -26, 2026 in Ottawa, IL.

RESEARCH GRANTS

The Illinois Geographical Society (IGS) supports up to three research grants per year, each with a maximum award of $1000. The deadline for 2026-2027 research grants closes on October 9, 2026. .

STUDENT AWARDS

Congratulations to the 2025 Illinois Geographical Society Award Winners! Awards are given out each year at the annual meeting. Click here to learn how to participate.
Our final stop along our annual field trip was the Indiana Military Museum and Annex. The museum claims one of the best comprehensive collections of military artifacts in the Midwest, spanning the Civil War through current military engagements. Exhib
Our final stop along our annual field trip was the Indiana Military Museum and Annex. The museum claims one of the best comprehensive collections of military artifacts in the Midwest, spanning the Civil War through current military engagements. Exhibits outside include displays of military aircraft, tanks, vehicles, artillery, and a submarine reproduction. Inside the museum there are more vehicles, uniforms, insignia, equipment, and related relics. The expansive annex features settings representative of the WWI era through the post-Vietnam War era
Another stop along our annual field trip was Grouseland, the home of former president William Henry Harrison. Grouseland, a stately federal mansion, was completed in 1804 and home to Harrison and his family during his term as Governor of the Indiana
Another stop along our annual field trip was Grouseland, the home of former president William Henry Harrison. Grouseland, a stately federal mansion, was completed in 1804 and home to Harrison and his family during his term as Governor of the Indiana Territory (1800 – 1812). This National Historic Landmark also served as the principal site of public and official business of the territory. While at Grouseland, Harrison frequently entertained legislators, dignitaries, and other guests and held meetings with native tribal leaders, negotiating important land treaties. Grouseland is also designated as the presidential home of Harrison, our 9th U. S. President.
Our Geographers next stop on our annual field trip was the Old Cathedral and the Brute Library. The current Basilica of St. Francis Xavier, “Old Cathedral” is Indiana’s first church. Parish records date back to 1732 when the first C
Our Geographers next stop on our annual field trip was the Old Cathedral and the Brute Library. The current Basilica of St. Francis Xavier, “Old Cathedral” is Indiana’s first church. Parish records date back to 1732 when the first Catholic parish in Indiana was formed. The current Old Cathedral was built in 1826 and stands on the site of its three previous churches. Four bishops are buried in the church’s crypt and the adjoining cemetery is the final resting place of over 4,000 early citizens of Vincennes. The Library/Museum houses the oldest library in Indiana containing over 10,000 rare books, displays, and documents. The collection’s oldest document is a papal bull issued by Pope John XXII in 1319.c
The next stop on our 2025 Annual Field trip was the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park. At the Visitors’ Center, our geographers were introduced to the life and accomplishments of George Rogers Clark, Conqueror of the Old Northwest an
The next stop on our 2025 Annual Field trip was the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park. At the Visitors’ Center, our geographers were introduced to the life and accomplishments of George Rogers Clark, Conqueror of the Old Northwest and brother to William Clark, one of the leaders of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The George Rogers Clark Memorial was built in 1933. The Roman-Style temple was erected on the site of Fort Sackville, which was captured by Clark during the Battle of Vincennes in 1779.
On the first stop of our 2025 annual field trip our geographers visited the Lincoln Trail Memorial. The Lincoln Trail Memorial marks the location where, according to tradition, Abraham Lincoln entered Illinois with his family in early March of 1830.
On the first stop of our 2025 annual field trip our geographers visited the Lincoln Trail Memorial. The Lincoln Trail Memorial marks the location where, according to tradition, Abraham Lincoln entered Illinois with his family in early March of 1830. The monument, sculpted by Nellie Verne Walker and dedicated in 1938, is a full-length bronze figure of Lincoln set within a sculptured limestone wall panel that depicts three adults and two children walking beside an ox-driven covered wagon, with an angel leading them to their new home.
The Illinois Geographical Society is making available up to three research grants of up to $1000 each! For more information visit our website at https://www.illinoisgeography.org/research-grants
The Illinois Geographical Society is making available up to three research grants of up to $1000 each! For more information visit our website at https://www.illinoisgeography.org/research-grants
The final stop on the pre-field trip was in Olney, IL. Here there are rare albino gray squirrels, the so-called white squirrels of Olney. Although numbers of these animals are down, the town is trying to ensure their vitality. Our geographers got to
The final stop on the pre-field trip was in Olney, IL. Here there are rare albino gray squirrels, the so-called white squirrels of Olney. Although numbers of these animals are down, the town is trying to ensure their vitality. Our geographers got to meet with town promoter, Belinda Henton, who explained the importance of white squirrels to the town and showed us one up close at her home.
On the pre-field trip our geographers stopped by the Heath Bar Museum and Confectionary in Robinson IL. The museum showcases the history of the Heath toffee bar and offers a nostalgic candy shop vibe
On the pre-field trip our geographers stopped by the Heath Bar Museum and Confectionary in Robinson IL. The museum showcases the history of the Heath toffee bar and offers a nostalgic candy shop vibe
Our Geographers visited the Illinois Oil Field Museum in Oblong Illinois as another stop on our pre-meeting field trip. Petroleum Landman R.L. Wheeler of Coral Seas Investments, LLC led us on a guided tour of the museum and summarized the history of
Our Geographers visited the Illinois Oil Field Museum in Oblong Illinois as another stop on our pre-meeting field trip. Petroleum Landman R.L. Wheeler of Coral Seas Investments, LLC led us on a guided tour of the museum and summarized the history of the oil industry in Crawford County is impact on jobs. The museum serves as a resource of “history and education of the oil industry in the Illinois Basin....artifacts ,pictures, and exhibits tell the story of Illinois oil speculation, mining, and production in a hands-on experience.”
For lunch during our pre-field trip our geographers ate at the Moonshine Store. This establishment is well known for its grilled hamburgers (i.e, Moonburgers) and has appeared on the Travel Channel, Food Network, and CBS Morning Show among many other
For lunch during our pre-field trip our geographers ate at the Moonshine Store. This establishment is well known for its grilled hamburgers (i.e, Moonburgers) and has appeared on the Travel Channel, Food Network, and CBS Morning Show among many others. The store was established in 1889 by William St. Martz and over time has served “as a gathering place, a grocery store, and a place for farmers and oil workers to come for lunch.”
Our final stop along our annual field trip was the Indiana Military Museum and Annex. The museum claims one of the best comprehensive collections of military artifacts in the Midwest, spanning the Civil War through current military engagements. Exhib Another stop along our annual field trip was Grouseland, the home of former president William Henry Harrison. Grouseland, a stately federal mansion, was completed in 1804 and home to Harrison and his family during his term as Governor of the Indiana Our Geographers next stop on our annual field trip was the Old Cathedral and the Brute Library. The current Basilica of St. Francis Xavier, “Old Cathedral” is Indiana’s first church. Parish records date back to 1732 when the first C The next stop on our 2025 Annual Field trip was the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park. At the Visitors’ Center, our geographers were introduced to the life and accomplishments of George Rogers Clark, Conqueror of the Old Northwest an On the first stop of our 2025 annual field trip our geographers visited the Lincoln Trail Memorial. The Lincoln Trail Memorial marks the location where, according to tradition, Abraham Lincoln entered Illinois with his family in early March of 1830. The Illinois Geographical Society is making available up to three research grants of up to $1000 each! For more information visit our website at https://www.illinoisgeography.org/research-grants The final stop on the pre-field trip was in Olney, IL. Here there are rare albino gray squirrels, the so-called white squirrels of Olney. Although numbers of these animals are down, the town is trying to ensure their vitality. Our geographers got to On the pre-field trip our geographers stopped by the Heath Bar Museum and Confectionary in Robinson IL. The museum showcases the history of the Heath toffee bar and offers a nostalgic candy shop vibe Our Geographers visited the Illinois Oil Field Museum in Oblong Illinois as another stop on our pre-meeting field trip. Petroleum Landman R.L. Wheeler of Coral Seas Investments, LLC led us on a guided tour of the museum and summarized the history of For lunch during our pre-field trip our geographers ate at the Moonshine Store. This establishment is well known for its grilled hamburgers (i.e, Moonburgers) and has appeared on the Travel Channel, Food Network, and CBS Morning Show among many other