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In this thought-provoking talk, Dr. Aaron J. Lawler takes audiences on a unique tour of Illinois' most sacred and strange landmarks; from ancient Cahokia to Casey's "World's Largest" mailbox, from the Bah' Temple to the Leaning Tower of Niles. This is not a travel brochure. It's a pilgrim's progress, a reflection on how we ritualize experience, enshrine memory, and express longing through the places we build, visit, and revere. When people return again and again to the same places, they leave something behind: memory, longing, belief. Over time, these places become filled with the presence of everyone who has stood here before. In this way, America's kitsch and its sacredness are not opposites but companions. The giant rocking chair, the nature preserve, and the historic landmark-they are modern shrines to the human need for meaning and connection, and remind us that sacredness is not found only in temples or cathedrals, but in any place that holds the weight of our collective attention. Dr. Lawler closes the presentation with a few carefully selected "day-cation" pilgrimages, not as tourism, but as journeys of curiosity, reflection, and reconnection. This presentation aligns with the Illinois America 250 Commission's theme, the "Power of Place," that helps us explore how our natural and built environments have shaped the settlement, migration, and the development of our state. The Illinois America 250 Commission's goals are to uplift local stories, places, and programs; build pride; and showcase how Illinois brings the ideals of the Declaration of Independence to life. This presentation is part of the By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.
