Governor Duncan Mansion

06/18/2026

Learn more about African American history in Jacksonville on Juneteenth! The Duncan Mansion is closed on Saturday, June 20th for a private event, but there is more than enough good history in town to keep you busy!!

Celebrate Juneteenth in Jacksonville. ❤️💛💚

This weekend offers several opportunities to honor history, celebrate freedom, and explore the people and places that shaped Jacksonville’s story.

▪️ Juneteenth Day of Play | June 19, 11 AM–3 PM at Key Events
A free family-friendly afternoon featuring bounce houses, arcade games, a toddler play area, board games, and refreshments.

▪️ Journey to Freedom Exhibit | June 19–21 at the Jacksonville Area Museum
Explore stories connected to the Underground Railroad and local history through this special exhibit and extended museum hours.

▪️ Juneteenth Panel Discussion | June 19, 6–8 PM at Centenary United Methodist Church
Hear scholars and local historians discuss preserving and sharing important stories in today’s digital age.

▪️ Juneteenth Celebration | June 20, 10:30 AM–2:30 PM in Downtown Jacksonville
Enjoy music, dancers, vendors, food trucks, and a community celebration honoring Juneteenth.

▪️ African American History Museum Tours | June 20 & 21, 1–4 PM
Visit the Jacksonville African American History Museum: and learn about local and national African American history, the Underground Railroad, civil rights, and more.

▪️ Woodlawn Farm Tours | June 20 & 21, 1–4 PM
Tour one of Jacksonville’s most significant Underground Railroad sites and learn about its role in the journey to freedom.

For additional details on these events and more happening in Jacksonville, visit JacksonvilleIL.org

06/18/2026

Slavery, abolition, and freedom seeking were among the leading issues of the day when Governor Duncan was in office. Celebrate Juneteenth by visiting the Jacksonville Area Museum to see Journeys to Freedom, and exhibit about the Underground Railroad in Illinois, and hearing from leading scholars. On Saturday, enjoy activities on the square and a visit to the Jacksonville African American History Museum: Jacksonville, IL!

THIS FRIDAY! The process, excitement and challenges of making stories like the Underground Railroad come alive during the Social Media Age will be the focus of a panel discussion to be held on Juneteenth, Friday, June 19 at 6 p.m., graciously hosted next door to the museum at Centenary United Methodist Church at 331 E. State Street in Jacksonville.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is being held in conjunction with the Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad exhibit currently on display at the Jacksonville Area Museum at 301 E. State Street.

Panel discussion participants include:

Dr. Brian Mitchell, a well-known African American historian, former Director of Research and Interpretation at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and currently the Center for Lincoln Studies Public Humanities Fellow at the University of Illinois Springfield.

Dr. Brittany Yancy, Illinois College professor of 20th-century U.S. History with a focus on social movements, urban radicalism, critical race theory, women's activism, and black women's political and intellectual history.

Kathryn Harris, former director at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and a first-person interpreter of historic African American women.
Ruth Linear, local historian and director of the Jacksonville African American History Museum.

The panel discussion will be moderated by Jacksonville Area Museum Manager Tori Ohl and museum board member and historian Chad Boehlke. A tour of the Underground Railroad exhibit at the Jacksonville Area Museum will be offered following the June 19 program.

Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad highlights the courageous stories of freedom seekers and the multi-racial conductors who assisted them on the Underground Railroad in Illinois. The exhibit is open to the public at the Jacksonville Area Museum through August 1, 2026 during the museum’s normal hours of operation: 10 am to 4 pm Wednesdays and Saturdays and 1 to 4 pm on Sundays.

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

06/17/2026

📣 The Duncan Mansion will be closed on Saturday, June 20, for a private event.

💐 Did you know that the Duncan Mansion is available for your special occasions? From weddings and receptions to meetings, parties, and celebrations, the Mansion provides a beautiful historic setting that your guests will never forget. 🏛️✨

📞 Call 217-245-7023 to learn more and schedule your memorable event!

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you back soon. ❤️

06/14/2026

Thanks to Market House Antiques, the centerpieces at Bourbon, Bluegrass, and Barbecue are FOR SALE!! Flowers in Ball jars are $12 and oil lamps are $20. Tickets are available at the door!!

Take a piece of history home with you!!

06/14/2026

Can't make it to Bourbon, Bluegrass, and BBQ? For $20 get your meal to go!! Stop in the Twisted Tree Music Hall between 5-7pm!!

06/14/2026

Happy Flag Day!!! 🎉🇺🇸🎉The Governor Duncan Mansion is proud to fly our National flag, along with the Illinois and Jacksonville flags, in front of the historic home.

A big THANK YOU to the City of Jacksonville for recent maintenance on the flagpoles so that the banner can yet wave! 🎉🇺🇸🎉

06/14/2026

TODAY IS THE DAY!!!!

🎉🥃 purchase your Bourbon, Bluegrass, & Barbecue tickets online! Just click here: https://square.link/u/2KOZCfrZ

A quick note: we're still working through one small hiccup. If you're purchasing multiple tickets and your group wants different meal choices, you'll need to purchase those tickets one at a time. We know it's not perfect, but it only takes a few extra clicks! 😊

🎟️ All tickets purchased online will be held at the entrance to the event at Twisted Tree on the day of the BBQ, making check-in quick and easy.

🍖 Delicious barbecue
🥃 Bourbon flights
🎶 Live bluegrass
🪑 Live auction
🏛️ Support historic preservation

We can't wait to see you there! Tag the friends you're bringing with you! 👇

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06/14/2026

HAPPENING SUNDAY!!! 🎉🥃 purchase your Bourbon, Bluegrass, & Barbecue tickets online! Just click here: https://square.link/u/2KOZCfrZ

A quick note: we're still working through one small hiccup. If you're purchasing multiple tickets and your group wants different meal choices, you'll need to purchase those tickets one at a time. We know it's not perfect, but it only takes a few extra clicks! 😊

🎟️ All tickets purchased online will be held at the entrance to the event at Twisted Tree on the day of the BBQ, making check-in quick and easy.

🍖 Delicious barbecue
🥃 Bourbon flights
🎶 Live bluegrass
🪑 Live auction
🏛️ Support historic preservation

We can't wait to see you there! Tag the friends you're bringing with you! 👇

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