“If a country is not worth protecting, it is not worth claiming. "

– George Rogers Clark 

Travel the timeline of Illinois from the prairies to the urban societies of today. Hear how historical figures and events helped to meet the people's changing needs as the population grew. This show is great for study of IL statehood. It can also be used as a focus for students studying the Illinois Constitution.

“As the first of every thing, in our situation will serve to establish a precedent.”

– George Washington

George Washington is most commonly
known as the first President of our country.
However, did you know this surveyor and gentleman farmer happily became a father to not only his wife's children and grandchildren, but to many nieces and nephews as well? His commitment to his family was as important to him as his commitment to his soldiers, and later, a fledgling nation. Learn what brought Washington from a surveyor of land to a leader of a nation!

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“Our federal union, it must be preserved.”

– Andrew Jackson

Commemorate the 200th anniversary
of the War of 1812 with Andrew Jackson,
our seventh president, and voice of the
"common man" as he tells the tales of his 1812 wartime exploits, his disagreements with congress, and his tumultuous presidency.

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“Of all the enemies of public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be dreaded...?

– James Madison

James Madison did NOT want to be involved in another conflict with the British. He tried every diplomatic channel to avoid war, and found himself backed into a corner. Encouraged to declare war by some very vocal members of Congress, Madison found himself having to clean up the mess left to him by his predecessor, Thomas Jefferson.

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“Man is a reasoning rather than
a resonable animal."

– Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton was born in the Caribbean and abandoned as a child. How did these humble beginnings plant the seeds of opportunity for this founding father? Ironically, he in turn created opportunities for others by helping to create a government he could never run as President.

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“Be mindful of the past.”

– Benjamin Franklin

Inventor, statesman, and founding father—he seemed to do it all! Learn more about the man who not only harnessed electricity and helped shape the country that would come to be known as the United States, but also entertained people with his satirical writing and adages.

“Tell my children to obey the laws, and uphold the Constitution.."

– Stephen A. Douglas

Stephen A. Douglas was a influencial
state and national political figure.
This program about the senator from Illinois may be performed in one of two ways. Hear about the life of Douglas and his time as Illinois senator, and the second most powerful man in the nation. OR Hear the history of Illinois, the Lincoln years, as seen through the eyes of Lincoln's political rival, Stephen A. Douglas.

“An idealist is a person who helps other people to be prosperous"

– Henry Ford

There was more to Mr. Ford than the
automobile industry. Ford hoped to be as big a success in politics, as he was at running the Ford Motor Company. Hear how his uncompromising opinions worked for the auto industry, but did not make him a man of the people.

"No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare"

– James Madison

Virginian James Madison is known as not only our 4th President, but as the father of the U.S. Constitution. Small in stature, but big in determination, he
co-authored the Federalist Papers, which were instumental in explaining the need for a strong central government, and promote the U.S. Constitution as the best model for that government. As a two term President, Madison is best known for reluctantly declaring war on Britain in 1812. He was also Dolly's husband! Recommended for grades 5 and up. Perfect for Constitution Day observances and for students preparing for the U.S. Constitution test.

“Reflect upon your present blessings - of which every man has many - not your misfortunes of which all men have some"

– Charles Dickens

The great 19th century author Charles Dickens has a big birthday coming up in 2012 - he's about to commemorate the bicentennial of his birth! As this date quickly approaches, Dickens reflects on his life, and discusses some of his best loved works. How did the culture of his time influence his writings? Works discussed may include, but are not limited to: A Tale of Two Cities,
Great Expectations, A Christmas Carol, The Cricket on the Hearth, as well as some of Dickens' short stories and non fiction works. A great intorduction to English Literature!

This program may also be customized for the Christmas season. This option will exclusively include Dickens's Christmas stories of which there are many!

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“Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood.”

– Daniel Burnham

Daniel Burnham, architect of the 1909 Chicago Plan, leads you through the history of the city he loved so well. From the Fort Dearborn Massacre to the Columbian Exposition of 1893; from the Union Stockyards to the city’s fabulous architecture. Burnham will introduce you to the people and events that shaped the “Windy City,” and helped transform it from the “Wild Onion” to the “City of the Big Shoulders.”

" ...fog rolls in and coffins slam, mortals quake and full moon rise, creatures haunt and terrorize..."

– Marty McNeely

Creture Feature

Lock all of the doors! There are monsters in Illinois! Believe it or not, ghoulish stories such as the Murphysboro Mud Monster, Headless Horseman of Illinois, Nellie the Lion, Bigfoot in Illinois, The Mad Gasser of Mattoon and more will chill your bones better than watching Creature Feature on a Friday night! May be customized for all ages.

“Some of the most fascinating and believable ghost stories are those with historical roots.”

– JoAnne Christensen (author of “Ghost Stories of Illinois”)

Sit back and listen, if you dare, to the chilling tales of the historical hauntings of the Midwest. Goosebumps guaranteed!

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“Sleep, those little slices of death--how I loathe them."
– Edgar Allan Poe

Literary chills abound in this spine tingling program. Terry Lynch as Edgar Allan Poe will give a brief biographical sketch of his life. The main focus of this program is the retelling of some of Poe's greatest works. Highlights include "The Raven" and "The Tell Tale Heart"

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“Honour is our live's ambition.”

– Captain John Smith

America--discovered by Columbus, claimed by Spain, desired by all! A new territory was named after England's beloved Queen. Who was up to the job of settling this wild new land? None other than English adventurer Captain John Smith. In this new and exciting title, Captain Smith will explain how he helped to settle Jamestown in the Virginia Territory.

“Shazam!.”

– Billy Batson 

How do the mythological characters of long ago relate to the comic book superheroes of today? Get ready to be amazed by the action-packed tales of superheroes from yesterday and today.

“The work we are doing now is, I trust, done for posterity, in such a away that they need not repeat it.”

– Thomas Jefferson 

Terry will regale the audience with the adventures and exploits of the Corps of Discovery as they make their way from St. Louis to the Pacific. Terry will dress and share stories from the point of view of Meriwether Lewis.

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“We have duties to others and duties to ourselves, and we can shirk neither.”

– Teddy Roosevelt

Having just completed his second term as president, Theodore Roosevelt reflects back on his triumphs and failures, primarily on his White House years.

“It's fire and it's crashing!...This is one of the worst catastophes in the world!"

--WLS Reporter Herb Morrison

On May 6, 1937, WLS reporter, Herb Morrison was sent to Lakehurst Navel Air Station in Mew Jersey to cover the first anniversary of transatlantic passenger service. What he witnessed that day turned out to be one of the greatest disasters of the 20th century. Hear Morrison, as portrayed by Terry Lynch, explain the historical significance of the dirigible HIndenburg, as well as recount the horrific details fo that day.

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“If you’re anywhere in Illinois, you’re not too far from a place where the Underground Railroad operated.”

– Glennette Tilley Turner

Appearing as an owner of a “safe house” in Illinois, Terry Lynch explains how a safe house was used as a stopping point for the slaves to gain rest and nourishment before continuing on to safety in Canada. Several safe houses in the Chicagoland area will be highlighted.

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“Be always sure you are right, then go ahead.”

– Davy Crockett 

Terry Lynch shares the adventures of your favorite legendary characters. This program may be purchased in one of two ways:

Hear them all...Terry will narrate stories from the legends of Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyan, Davy Crockett, Bess Call and John Henry. Costuming and props will be used to accentuate each of these wonderful tales.

Hear your favorite...choose one of the following folk heroes: Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyan or Davy Crockett. Terry will tell these characters’ stories in the first person, dressed as the folk hero of your choice.

Just let us know which program you prefer.

" This,O my best beloved , is a story --a new and wonderful story- a story quite different from the other stories.

– From The Butterfly
That Stamped, Just So Stories

Join your very knowledgeable safari guide,Terry Lynch, as he brings the wilderness to life, and puts his spin on these classic Kipling stories, with the help of his interactive audience. Someof the wild stories include...
How the Camel Got Its Hump, How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin, How the Leopard Got His Spots, The Elephant's Child, The Butterfly That Stamped, and the Beginning of the Armadillos.

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“...take a keen interest in something and luck must be with you.”

– Marvin Camras 

Terry, a 20th-century newspaper hawker, will give you the inside scoop on these Land-of-Lincoln legends, and their inventions: Marvin Camras (tape recorder), Laurens Hammond (electronic keyboard), Charles Pajeau (Tinker Toys), Levant Richardson (ball bearing roller skates), Ives McGaffery (vacuum cleaner) and Whitcomb Judson (the zipper).

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“Give the lady what she wants.”

– Marshall Field 

Turn-of-the century period clothing help bring the stories of these early entrepreneurs to life. Terry will share the success stories of Marshall Field, William Wrigley, Charles Walgreen, Ray Kroc and Frederick Maytag.

“There is no worse death than the end of hope.” – King Arthur

As King Arthur, Terry will "elevate"audience members into the Order of Chivalry, so they may take their place at the "table". They will hear exciting stories of the knights and ladies in his court at Camelot. The adventurous tales include stories of Sir Lancelot, Sir Gawain, SIr Bedivere, Excalibur, Merlin: Arthur's Magician, Nimue: the Lady of the Lake, Lady Guinevere, Morgan le Fay, and More!