About this Event
Illinois Network to Freedom Collective Conference
Join scholars, educators, community leaders, preservationists, students, and Freedom-Seekers descendants for the 2026 Illinois Network to Freedom Collective Conference, a two-day gathering dedicated to exploring the histories, geographies, and legacies of freedom-seeking in Illinois and the broader Midwest. Through plenaries, workshops, cultural offerings, and collaborative networking, this conference centers the Underground Railroad as both a historical movement and a living framework for resilience, justice, and community stewardship.
Hosted at Illinois College, the conference opens on Friday. February 6th evening with a reception and cultural celebration in the historic Siebert Theatre. The evening will feature poetry and spoken word performances, remarks from Illinois College President Dr. Barbara Farley, and a keynote Freedom Address by Dr. Asif Wilson, setting the tone for a weekend of deep reflection and collective learning.
Saturday’s full-day program includes a morning plenary on the status of the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission, with insights from state legislators and Commission leaders. Attendees will then participate in themed breakout sessions highlighting current work in museum interpretation, archeology and research, site recognition, and curriculum for K-12 schools. Each breakout session will be led by experts advancing the preservation and interpretation of freedom-seeking histories across the state.
Networking lunch sessions will provide space for collaboration among educators, community organizations, and historical institutions. Afternoon sessions will shift toward action, inviting participants to engage directly with ILNFC subcommittees-Archeology and Historic Preservation; Curriculum and Education; Database and Mapping; and Membership, Outreach, and Tourism-to help shape the next chapter of collective statewide work.
Attendees are invited to deepen their conference experience by exploring Jacksonville’s rich history of freedom-seeking and the Underground Railroad through local institutions. Opportunities may include guided tours and special programming at key historical sites, offering participants a meaningful way to engage with the community and the landscapes that shaped Illinois’ freedom-seeking legacy.
Local Partners:
-Jacksonville African American History Museum
-Morgan County Historic Society
This conference provides an important opportunity to foster partnerships, elevate under-told histories, and strengthen the network working to preserve Illinois’s significant role in the Underground Railroad.
Registration Information
Adults In-Person: $50
Virtual Conference/Graduate Students: $25
Undergraduate Students & Youth: Free
Registration includes access to all conference sessions, Friday’s reception, Saturday breakfast, refreshments, and networking lunch.
Hotel Information
A conference room block has been secured for at the following Jacksonville Hotels:
Hampton Inn Jacksonville: 1725 W Morton Ave, Jacksonville, IL 62650
Phone: (217) 291-0415
• Best Western Jacksonville Inn: 1709 W Morton Ave, Jacksonville, IL 62650
Phone: (217) 245-4500
Room blocks open on Tuesday, December 23rd.
We invite you to join us as we honor the past, assess the present, and build pathways toward a future rooted in resilience, equity, and shared remembrance.
For more information, contact Dr. Brittney Yancy, Conference Chair at [email protected]
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Illinois College, 1101 West College Avenue, Jacksonville, United States
USD 0.00 to USD 55.20
