Stay a little bit longer

SPRINGFIELD - Longer, seasonal hours of operation for state historic sites administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA) began March 1, and several sites will resume seven day per week operations during the spring and summer tourism season.

"The days are getting longer, and as the tourism season approaches we have traditionally expanded hours at many of our state's historic sites," said IHPA Acting Director Jennifer Tirey. "In addition, with the Lincoln Bicentennial approaching, visitors will be able to enjoy several of the state's Lincoln-related historic sites seven days per week this spring and summer."

Many historic sites that closed at 4 p.m. during the winter months will now stay open until 5 p.m. through the month of October. The Old State Capitol and Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices State Historic Sites in Springfield, and Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site in Petersburg will be open seven days per week from April 14 through September 1, 2008. Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum will remain open seven days per week year round. Most of the state's other historic sites will remain open five days per week.

2008 ILLINOIS STATE HISTORIC SITE SCHEDULE

ALL SITES (EXCEPT LINCOLN PRESIDENTIAL MUSEUM) CLOSED ON THE FOLLOWING HOLIDAYS: Columbus Day, General Election Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday, Presidents' Day.

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, Springfield Open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., year round. Closed only on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Bishop Hill, Bishop Hill Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., March - October. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., November - February. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Black Hawk, Rock Island Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., March - October. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., November - February. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Bryant Cottage, Bement Open Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., year round. Closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Cahokia Courthouse, Cahokia Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., year round. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Cahokia Mounds, Collinsville Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., year round. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Dana-Thomas House, Springfield Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., year round. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

David Davis Mansion, Bloomington Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., year round. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Douglas Tomb, Chicago Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., year round. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Fort de Chartres, Prairie du Rocher Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., year round. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Fort Kaskaskia, Ellis Grove Campground open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., year round.

Ulysses S. Grant Home, Galena Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., March - October. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., November - February. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Jubilee College, Brimfield Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., March - October. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., November - February. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Lewis and Clark, Hartford Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., year round. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices, Springfield Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 1 - April 13. Open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 14 - September 1. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., September 2 - February.

Lincoln Log Cabin, Lerna Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., March - October. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., November - February. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Lincoln's New Salem, Petersburg Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 1 - April 13. Open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 14 - September 1. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., September 2 - October 31. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., November - February.

Lincoln Tomb, Springfield Open seven days a week year round. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March - October, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. November - February.

Martin-Boismenue House, North Dupo Open Saturday only from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. year round.

Old Market House, Galena Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m., March - October Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m., November - February Closed Monday and Tuesday

Old State Capitol, Springfield Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 1 - April 13. Open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 14 - September 1. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., September 2 - February.

Pierre Menard Home, Ellis Grove Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., year round. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Postville Courthouse, Lincoln Open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m., March - October. Open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m., November - February. Closed Sunday and Monday.

Vachel Lindsay Home, Springfield Open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m., year round. Closed Sunday and Monday.

Vandalia Statehouse, Vandalia Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., March - October. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., November - February. Closed Sunday and Monday.

Washburne House, Galena Open on Friday only, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., May - October.

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