RSVP Today: The ALA's February 2026 Events
Abraham Lincoln 217th Birthday Event: Symposium & Banquet
Please join us for the Annual Abraham Lincoln Association Banquet celebrating the 217th anniversary of the birth of our 16th President on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. The evening’s keynote address will be delivered by Professor Allen Guelzo, one of the nation’s leading Lincoln scholars, speaking on “Walking in the Old Paths: Abraham Lincoln and the Inheritance of the Revolution.” His lecture will explore how Lincoln understood and carried forward the founding generation’s promises of liberty and equality.
On Friday, February 13, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the Benjamin P. Thomas Symposium will feature three distinguished Lincoln scholar-writers: John Bicknell, Lucas Morel, and Michael Vorenberg. Over the course of this day-long program, they will examine Lincoln’s political world, his constitutional thought, and the Civil War era he helped to reshape. At the Thomas F. Schwartz Symposium lunch, Michael Burlingame and Allen Guelzo will draw on decades of research and writing in a two-person conversation titled “Encouraging Trends in Recent Lincoln Scholarship.” The day will conclude with a roundtable at 2:15 p.m., bringing all speakers together for a wide-ranging discussion and audience questions.
Attendance at the Symposium is free, but advance registration is required for both meals: Symposium lunch, $45, and Banquet dinner, $100. All events will take place at the President Lincoln Hotel in downtown Springfield, Illinois, just steps from the Old State Capitol and other Lincoln sites. We invite you to spend these two days in Lincoln’s hometown, learning from leading historians and joining fellow admirers of his life and legacy.
Give the gift of Lincoln this holiday season 🎁
This year, consider a different kind of gift: a membership in the Abraham Lincoln Association. With a gift membership, you share access to distinguished scholarship, historical journals, special events, and a community devoted to preserving and celebrating the legacy of Abraham Lincoln. As a member-supported association, every new member helps sustain our work preserving landmarks, promoting research, and making Lincoln’s story accessible for generations.
Whether for a history buff, a teacher, a student, or a curious friend — ALA membership makes a meaningful, intellectually rich holiday gift.
Visit our membership page to learn more and choose the level that suits your gift.