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Press Release - Monday, June 02, 2025
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Lincoln's New Salem expanding popular annual candlelight walk event to three weekends in 2025
Volunteers needed to assist visitors and share village's history
SPRINGFIELD - What could be better than exploring the village at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site by candlelight during a crisp October weekend?
How about exploring the village by candlelight during three weekends in October?
The candlelight walk at Lincoln's New Salem in Menard County is one of the most popular autumn events in central Illinois, attracting thousands of visitors to the park during the first weekend of October every year. The popularity of the walk has led site staff to expand it to three weekends for 2025 to give visitors more evenings to enjoy the event and to ease congestion at the park.
Dates for this year's candlelight walk are Oct. 3-5, Oct. 10-12, and Oct. 17-19. Event hours will be 5-7:30 p.m.
"The New Salem candlelight walk is one of central Illinois' premier fall traditions," said Natalie Phelps Finnie, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which operates the site. "We're thrilled to expand this beloved event to multiple weekends, offering people more opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the historic village by candlelight while also taking a little pressure off our dedicated staff and volunteers."
Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site relies on volunteers to ensure the candlelight walk is successful. Additional volunteers will be needed this year to help visitors during the event's expanded dates. Those who are interested can sign up today by emailing dnr.newsalem@illinois.gov. Volunteers will be trained and onboarded by site staff prior to the event.
"The New Salem candlelight walk is the wildly successful event it is today because of support from dedicated volunteers. We couldn't do it without them," said Troy Gilmore, acting superintendent of Lincoln's New Salem. "We'll accept volunteers for any amount of time they can devote over the course of the three weekends, and we'll make sure everyone is properly trained and ready to assist visitors."
During the candlelight walk, the historic village's pathways are lined with candle lanterns. Site staff and volunteer interpreters dressed in period clothing will be in many of the log homes and shops to talk about life in the original village and in 19th-century Illinois. Building interiors will be candle-lit, and visitors will be able to walk through buildings that are open. Visitors are asked to keep flashlights off while experiencing the village at candlelight.
Lincoln's New Salem is one of 56 state historic sites managed by IDNR. Built in the 1930s and 1940s as a Civilian Conservation Corps program, the site's historic village features 23 historically furnished buildings, including several homes, stores, and tradesmen's shops, as well as a tavern, school, wool carding mill, a sawmill and gristmill. Scattered throughout the village are log barns and other outbuildings. In addition to the village, the 700-acre park features hiking trails, a campground, picnic areas, and playground equipment.
About IDNR
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is celebrating 100 years of conservation and service to the people of Illinois throughout 2025. The department was established July 1, 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 for more information.
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