The La Grange Area Historical Society will host an educational evening exploring an important chapter of regional and national history with the program “Underground Railroad in Northern Illinois.”
Scheduled for Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 7:00–8:30 p.m., the presentation will take place at the La Grange Area Historical Society.
The program will be led by Dr. Larry A. McClellan, who will share research currently underway in nearby Flagg Creek and Lyonsville and discuss the experiences of freedom seekers traveling through Northern Illinois. His work highlights the journeys of individuals who risked everything to reach freedom, as well as the local residents—both Black and white, men and women—who made the deliberate and often illegal choice to help them along the way.
Dr. McClellan’s research features dozens of personal stories, offering a broader perspective on the Underground Railroad and the role communities across northeastern Illinois, including Chicago and surrounding areas, played in supporting those seeking freedom.
This presentation serves as a follow-up to Dr. McClellan’s previous program with the Historical Society and provides an opportunity to learn more about the people and places connected to this history close to home.
Event Details
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Date: February 19, 2026
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Time: 7:00–8:30 p.m.
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Location: La Grange Area Historical Society