Woodlawn Farm - Jacksonville, Illinois

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Woodlawn Farm - Jacksonville, Illinois This Farm, five miles east of Jacksonville, Illinois, was established in 1824 by Michael Huffaker. The 1840 home became a stop on the Underground Railroad.

This farm, five miles east of Jacksonville, IL, was established in 1824 by Michael Huffaker. Michael and his wife, Jane, rode by horseback from Kentucky, bought the land, and built a cabin for their growing family and four cabins for free black families who helped Michael raise cattle, horses and crops. In 1840, he built the two-story brick home which stands to this day on the property. Michael and his family were members of the Antioch Christian Church founded by Barton Stone. Woodlawn Farm was especially important as a stop on the Underground Railroad, assisting runaway slaves reach freedom by providing a safe place on their journey. They were integrated into the Huffaker's free black workforce, hiding in plain sight. The house is open for scheduled tours as well as special events in the fall, winter, and spring to teach visitors about the history of the Underground Railroad in Morgan County, IL. Saturday and Sunday tours begin the first week in May and end in September. Please call 309.678.7716 for more information or visit our website for more historical information on the Woodlawn Farm.

This past Tuesday the German students from the GAPP program at JHS visited us and tested out Henry’s replica box. Thank ...
10/11/2026

This past Tuesday the German students from the GAPP program at JHS visited us and tested out Henry’s replica box. Thank you for visiting Woodlawn Farm Museum!

We are grateful you joined us on Sunday for the bus tour. We hope you enjoyed your time in Jacksonville and look forward...
10/06/2026

We are grateful you joined us on Sunday for the bus tour. We hope you enjoyed your time in Jacksonville and look forward to seeing you again in the future!

Free local event to check out this upcoming weekend!
09/29/2026

Free local event to check out this upcoming weekend!

Lincoln's New Salem Candlelight Walks are just around the corner!

Visitors will have nine nights to check out this once-a-year special event! The walks start on Friday, October 2nd from 5PM to 7:30PM each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until October 18th!

For three weekends, the historic village where Lincoln lived will be lined with lanterns that are lit each night. Interpreters will host most of the candlelit buildings to discuss 1830s daily life and Abraham Lincoln.
..And there will be FREE hot chocolate!

This is a FREE event, no reservations or tickets required.

Learn more at:
https://www.visitspringfieldillinois.com/LocationDetails/?id=Lincoln%27s-New-Salem-State-Historic-Site

09/29/2026
Join us for our Fall Bus Tour on Sunday, October 4th. Reservations are required, so call now to ensure you have a seat o...
09/15/2026

Join us for our Fall Bus Tour on Sunday, October 4th. Reservations are required, so call now to ensure you have a seat on the bus. Hope to see you there!

08/09/2026
08/01/2026

❤️❤️❤️

Free local exhibit open untilAugust 1.
07/02/2026

Free local exhibit open until
August 1.

Only ONE MONTH LEFT to see this great exhibit!

'Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad,' will be open to to the public through August 1, 2026.

Jacksonville had a number of participants to the Underground Railroad, and it's connections across the State of Illinois.
The Jacksonville Area Museum's newest installation highlights the courageous stories of freedom seekers and the multi-racial conductors who assisted them on the Underground Railroad in Illinois.

In addition, the Jacksonville Area Museum will feature local stories to enhance the exhibit.

In conjunction, the Jacksonville Area Museum offers events to help bring the story to life. “Walk with Heroes” Cemetery tour of UGRR Conductors with Chad Boehlke will be held on July 11 at 6 pm at Diamond Grove Cemetery in Jacksonville. Mr Boehlke will offer a guided walking tour of the final resting place of the many Underground Railroad Conductors of Jacksonville.

The exhibit will be open during regular museum hours: Wed & Sat 10-4, and Sundays 1-4.

The exhibit is free and open to the public, but donations are encouraged.

Check out this upcoming tour!
07/01/2026

Check out this upcoming tour!

The Jacksonville Area Museum invites you to join us on the “Walk with Heroes” Cemetery Tour of Underground Railroad Conductors on July 11 at 6 pm at Diamond Grove Cemetery in Jacksonville.

Chad Boehlke will offer a guided walking tour of the final resting place of individuals who assisted freedom seekers through our area.

The concurrent exhibit, 'Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad,' will be open to to the public through August 1, 2026. The Jacksonville Area Museum's newest installation highlights the courageous stories of freedom seekers and the multi-racial conductors who assisted them on the Underground Railroad in Illinois.

'Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad' is presented in arrangement by The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, also known as Looking for Lincoln.

The exhibit will be open during regular museum hours: Wed & Sat 10-4, and Sundays 1-4. The museum is located at 331 East State in Jacksonville. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.

02/28/2026

Address

1463 Gierke Lane
Jacksonville, IL
62650

Opening Hours

Saturday 1pm - 4pm
Sunday 1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+13096787716

Website

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