Visit Springfield’s History Comes Alive program and the Sangamon Valley Collection at Lincoln Library, in collaboration with the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, will present a special panel discussion celebrating the legacy of the All‑American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) and the women who shaped it. The event supports the Sangamon Valley Collection’s new exhibit, now on display at the Sangamon County Building through November. Featured panelists include retired AAGPBL players Jeneane Lesko, Dolly Ozburn, and women’s baseball league historian Merrie Fidler.
The live discussion will bring together women directly connected to the AAGPBL—former players, historians, and project collaborators—to share personal stories, reflect on the league’s cultural impact, and highlight ongoing efforts to preserve and elevate women’s baseball history.
The panel discussion will take place in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Union Theater on Tuesday, July 28 at 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Advance registration is not required. Autographs and merch will be available.
The exhibit—curated by Anna Sielaff of the Sangamon Valley Collection—highlights the stories, artifacts, and local connections to the groundbreaking women who played professional baseball during and after World War II. Featuring rare photographs, archival materials, and newly uncovered local ties to the league, the exhibit is open during regular business hours at the Sangamon County Building through November.