One of Princeton, Illinois’ most prominent resident was Reverend Owen Lovejoy. Although born in Maine, he moved to Princeton in 1838 where he was a minister for a Congregationalist Church. Lovejoy, a congressional leader, was a well-known figure in the abolition movement and the Underground Railroad. He assisted fugitive slaves by making his home a route, known as the “Lovejoy Line”, in the Underground Railroad. He wholeheartedly believed that slavery could be abolished with political action. In an 1859 speech to Congress, Lovejoy confirmed his support by declaring, “Owen Lovejoy…aids every fugitive that comes to his door and asks it. Proclaim it then from the housetops. Write it on every leaf that trembles in the forest, make it blaze from the sun at high noon..I bid you defiance in the name of my God!”

The Owen Lovejoy home, now owned by the City of Princeton, was opened as a museum in 1972. In 1997, it was proclaimed a National Historic Landmark. The home tour allows visitors to view the dining room, kitchen, child's bedroom, study, parlor, front entry, upstairs hallway, bedroom dressing area and a document room.

The general public is welcome to tour the Historic Owen Lovejoy Homestead, located on East Peru Street, from May-September. The hours of operation are 1pm-4pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday or by appointment. It is open April and October by appointment only. The admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children.

For more information on Owen Lovejoy, please visit lovejoyhomestead.com.