In honor of the bicentennial of the War of 1812, the Great Lakes Naval Museum will be hosting a free, public lecture on Illinois and the War of 1812 on Saturday, Aug. 18 at 1p.m. 
    The speaker will be Gillum Ferguson, author of “Illinois in the War of 1812.”
    Ferguson has served as a state and federal prosecutor in Illinois for many years.  His articles have appeared in The Journal of Illinois History, The Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, The Illinois Bar Journal, and numerous other journals. 
    In this lecture, he will underline the crucial importance of the War of 1812 in the development of Illinois as a state. Autographed copies of the book will be available for purchase. 
    The museum is located aboard the naval station off Sheridan Road near the North Chicago Metra Station. Admission and parking are free. 
    Call 847-688-3154 or e-mail glnm@navy.mil for more information about this event.