Underground Railroad Walking Tour

This 45-minute, 1-mile walking tour explores several locations throughout Springfield which hold a special significance to the Underground Railroad. This tour includes visits to the Old State Capitol and the Lincoln Home National Historic Site and explores other lesser-known locations around the city. Each stop details Springfield’s importance to the Underground Railroad and the historical figures associated with them. Meet outside the Lincoln Home Visitor Center.

Please note that in the event of inclement weather, including excessive heat warnings, the tour will be cancelled.

Tours will be guided by history education interpreters from the IDNR Office of Land Management, with each tour lasting approximately one hour. Reservations, which will be required, can be made here or through the IDNR website. The capacity of all experiences will be limited and follow health and safety guidelines outlined by the Illinois Department of Public Health. All tours are free, and donations in support of local historic sites will be welcomed.

Participant Agreement

Agreement to the following is required to participate in this tour. By making a reservation, you agree to the following:

PLEASE NOTE: PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED IF PARTICIPANT IS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE

IN ORDER TO BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE AS A PARTICIPANT IN THE ABOVE-REFERENCED EVENT/ACTIVITY SPONSORED OR ARRANGED BY THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (IDNR), THE PARTICIPANT HEREBY UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES TO RELEASE, DEFEND, HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND THE IDNR, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, OTHER INVITEES AND LICENSEES FROM ANY AND ALL COSTS, EXPENSES, LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES, SETTLEMENTS, INVESTIGATIONS BY ANY LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL REGULATORY AGENCY, INQUIRIES, JUDGMENTS, FINDINGS, COSTS AND EXPENSES AND REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES (INCLUDING THE REASONABLE VALUE OF TIME SPENT BY THE ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE) AND THE COSTS AND EXPENSES AND REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES OF OTHER COUNSEL REQUIRED TO DEFEND THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND/OR THE IDNR RELATED TO OR ARISING FROM THE PARTICIPANT’S PARTICIPATION IN THE ABOVE- REFERENCED EVENT/ACTIVITY AND SPECIFCALLY: (1) ANY BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT; (2) ANY NEGLIGENT, INTENTIONAL OR WRONGFUL ACT OR OMISSION OF THE PARTICIPANT: (3) THE PARTICIPANT’S PERFORMANCE OR ATTEMPTED PERFORMANCE OF ANY RIGHT, DUTY OR OBLIGATION UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND/OR (4) A COVID- 19 ILLNESS AND/OR ANY OTHER ILLNESS(ES) CAUSED BY, OR DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY RELATED TO, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. THE FOREGOING OBLIGATION TO INDEMNIFY SHALL SURVIVE THE TERMINATION OR EXPIRATION OF THE IDNR EVENT/ACTIVITY.

The Participant, while participating in the above-referenced IDNR event/activity, understands and agrees to:

(a) Comply with all Executive Orders the Office of Illinois Governor has issued pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic;

(b) Comply with all guidelines, regulations and rules the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Illinois Department of Public Health have issued, pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic;

(c) Purchase, have and wear at all times a cloth face covering while on IDNR property or on any other property and

(d) Practice social distancing at all times while on IDNR property or on any another property.

The Participant understands and agrees that there are any number of risks associated with participating in the above-referenced IDNR event/activity.

The Participant understands that the abopve-referenced event/activity may take place on IDNR property and/or property belonging to others.

The Participant represents that he/she is in good health and suffers no physical impairment that will or could prevent successfully participating in the above- referenced IDNR event/activity.

The Participant hereby grants and conveys to IDNR all rights, title and interest in any and all photographs, images, videos or audio recordings of his/her likeness or voice in connection with participating in the above-referenced IDNR event/activity.

The Participant understands and agrees that he/she is responsible for obtaining private insurance coverage in the event of personal injury, illness or damage to any property or person while, or because of, participating in the above-referenced IDNR event/activity.

The Participant understands and agrees that this Agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the State of Illinois and furthermore understands and agrees that if any portion of this Agreement is deemed invalid, the remaining portions shall continue in full legal force and effect.

***Signature page follows***

UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED AS TO THE ABOVE:

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Host or Publisher Illinois Department of Natural Resources State Historic Sites Springfield