iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jacob K. Friefeld @friefeld.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

I'm very excited for my conversation with Pulitzer Prize-Winner Nikole Hannah-Jones on Monday at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum! www.uis.edu/event/center...

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Jacob K. Friefeld @friefeld.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

I wrote a chapter for the new book US HISTORY in 15 PHOTOGRAPHS: 1865 TO THE 21st CENTURY. I explore how free land policy impacted the lives of newly freed Black Americans. Get your copy! www.bloomsbury.com/us/us-histor...

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Jacob K. Friefeld @friefeld.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

@illinoisstateu.bsky.social prof Megan VanGorder discusses her book on Middle West US. She argues that Civil War nurse Mary Bickerdyke left “behind a legacy that challenges the boundaries between domesticity and public life, sentiment and skill, service and authority.” tinyurl.com/Bickerdyke

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Jacob K. Friefeld @friefeld.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

Andy Oler joins Middle West US, writing about _Lingering Inland_ essays about the Midwest. Oler writes: “_Lingering Inland_ sets out to provide the space and time for Midwesterners to explore their stories as well as their places.” middlewest.us/lingering-ov...

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Jacob K. Friefeld @friefeld.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

Public historian and museum educator Ashlee Anderson joins Middle West US to talk about what might be Abraham Lincoln's last decree, currently in the collection at History Nebraska. Hear the story at middlewest.us/podcasts/ (photo courtesy of History Nebraska)

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Jacob K. Friefeld @friefeld.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

Hey! Episode 2 of #BackToTheFrontier dropped today—how do ya think our families are doing?

Family sitting around the table with Jake Friefeld

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Jacob K. Friefeld @friefeld.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

The first episode of Back to the Frontier dropped—a show available on HBO Max and the Magnolia Network that challenges 3 families to live like 1880s homesteaders. It was an absolute joy to be part of this production!

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Jacob K. Friefeld @friefeld.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

It was a pleasure presenting at the Midwest History Conference on Black Freedom in Illinois with Brian Mitchell and John Lupton. We lamented not getting a photo of our panel, so I had fun with ai. May I present the bizarro-world Brian, Jake, and John presenting to a large but oddly small audience.

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Jacob K. Friefeld @friefeld.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

I had a great time presenting on Black Homesteaders in photographs at the South Dakota State Historical Society Conference in Deadwood last week! I’m terrible at getting photos while I present, so here is a picture of me with Wild Bill Hickok and Jack McCall.

Friefeld posing between two Wild West characters

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Jacob K. Friefeld @friefeld.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Last week historian Christian McWhirter and musician Randy Erwin put on a great show, playing Civil War Era music and providing historical context for the songs. The Springfield community is so lucky to have a knowledgeable Lincoln scholar like McWhirter to guide us through the Civil War Era.

Historian and a musician on a stage in a bar.

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Jacob K. Friefeld @friefeld.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Every year I look forward to the Lincoln Forum. The engaging presentations by first-class scholars are a big part of that, but getting to spend time talking about Lincoln, his era, and his legacy with friends and colleagues makes it truly special.

A group of scholars gathered around a Lincoln statue

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Jacob K. Friefeld @friefeld.bsky.social · 08/11/2024

Last month I had the pleasure of attending the Nebraska Celebration of Books and accepting the Nebraska Book Award for Nonfiction History. I had a great time answering audience questions and talking with talented authors! Always a joy to be back on UNL’s campus.

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Jacob K. Friefeld @friefeld.bsky.social · 20/11/2023

Last week I had a wonderful time with good friends and colleagues at the Lincoln Forum in Gettysburg. Thoroughly enjoyed my panel on Black life after emancipation. Here I’m pictured with dear friends at the spot Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg Address 160 years ago.

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