School Groups

School classes of youth in 5th grade through 12th grade are invited to either of two presentations of the program on Friday, Sept. 18 from 9:00-11:15 a.m. or 11:45 a.m. -2:00 p.m. We can accommodate 250 students at each performance. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 217-508-9113 or e-mailing the project at trial.tribulations1847@gmail.com. Cost is $4 per student, up to two adults are free. Students will:

• Visit two historic sites & meet the people involved,
• Watch a performance about the trial,
• Address Illinois social science goals for grades 5-12,
• Challenge your preconceived notions of history.

Educational Goals:
1. Lincoln represented the master-enslaver, Matson, the only time he represented an enslaver.

2. African American’s history in Illinois includes enslaved and freedmen. Those who gained freedom chose between living here within the restrictions of the Black Laws like at Brushy Fork or colonizing to Liberia.

3. National and state laws existed about slavery that were often in conflict and the court system played a critical role in the resolution of those dilemmas.

4. Abolitionists existed in Illinois and Coles County, though their positions were very unpopular with the public.

Moral/Ethical Goals:
1. Lincoln’s role and possible motivations for participating in the trial and how that reflects on his beliefs and our perception of him.

2. The courage of the Bryant family to take action to gain their freedom and to trust the legal system to work.

3. The moral dilemma of taking public action on your beliefs for social justice despite the consequences.


Classes will move on their own bus from town to village. Schools will be divided into roughly three equal groups of 70-90 students. Volunteers will meet each bus and accompany them on each stop of their visit. Pre & Post visit materials will be provided to each registered class. Below is an outline of their visit.