Anna Sielaff
Anna Sielaff wants to preserve and promote the untold stories of those who have long gone unheard.
Historian and Librarian Anna Sielaff believes Illinois is so much more than the legacy of Abraham Lincoln - it’s history is rich with events and people who shaped communities throughout the state. Anna has a deep care for her home and a commitment to preserving local history.
Presentation 1 of 2
Available
Relive the True Mother Road: The Edwards Trace
This presentation takes audience members on a journey back in time, to an era when Illinois was not yet a state but a vast landscape of prairie grass and fertile soil. The Edwards Trace is an ancient trail that dates back at least 3,000 years that went through Illinois marking the migratory path of various animal herds starting in Kaskaskia, Illinois to Peoria, Illinois. Native Americans used this trail to track the seasonal migrations of herds, leveraging it for hunting, trade, and warfare. Early European settlers, such as the French, British, and Americans, depended on this trail for their travels, similar to Route 66.
Anna will discuss the historical significance of the Edwards Trace and its role in national events and the early settlement of Illinois. Audience members will learn how Native Americans and early settlers used the trail to navigate the vast prairie landscape, relying on prominent natural landmarks to guide their way. The goal of this presentation is to inform the public that portions of the Edwards Trace remain visible today, preserving a tangible connection to Illinois’ early history.
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.
Audience Recommendations
This presentation is ideal for adults, college and graduate students, high school students (14-18), archaeological societies, historical societies, and DAR chapters.
Program Logistics
The presentation runs approximately 50 minutes, with additional time for Q&A, making the total program about 60 minutes. Visuals are presented through PowerPoint. A projector, microphone, and screen should be provided by the host. Recordings are permitted with prior approval from Anna Sielaff.
Presentation 2 of 2
Available
Women’s Baseball in Illinois and the Midwest
Let’s Play Ball! Women have always played baseball, especially in the Midwest. The history of women’s baseball dates back to the 1800s where women had little opportunities to play organized baseball. During World War II, Philip K. Wrigley, owner of the Chicago Cubs and the Wrigley Chewing Gum Company, sought to ensure that America’s pastime would continue despite the war. Inspired by the spirit of Rosie the Riveter, Wrigley recognized an opportunity to both entertain the public and showcase the remarkable athletic abilities of women.
In 1943, Wrigley founded the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL), the first professional sports league for women in the United States. The league operated from 1943 to 1954. Illinois played a pivotal role in the league’s history, producing 125 of those players—including All-Star player Dorothy Schroeder, the only woman to play all twelve seasons. This program sheds light on the untold stories of the women who shared a deep love for the game and demonstrated exceptional talent on the field.
This presentation offers an exciting opportunity to explore how Illinois played a significant role in the formation of the AAGPBL. Anna will trace the evolution of women’s baseball from its 19th-century beginnings to the establishment of the league in 1943. She will discuss how the league’s unique rules developed over time and highlight the teams that made history—particularly the Illinois teams: the Rockford Peaches, Springfield Sallies, Peoria Redwings, and Chicago Colleens.
The presentation will also cover topics such as the players’ uniforms, “Charm School,” and the league’s innovative publicity and promotional efforts that helped bring women’s baseball into the national spotlight during World War II. Remember, “There’s No Crying in Baseball!”
Audience Recommendations
This presentation is ideal for adults, middle school students (11-14), high school students (14-18), college and graduate students; historical societies; Illinois High School Association members; film societies, and YMCAs.
Program Logistics
The presentation runs approximately 50 minutes, with additional time for Q&A, making the total program about 60 minutes. Visuals are presented through PowerPoint. A projector and screen should be provided by the host. Recordings are permitted with prior approval from Anna Sielaff.
Bio
Based in Springfield, IL
Anna Sielaff serves as the Local History Librarian for the Lincoln Library’s Sangamon Valley Collection in Springfield, Illinois. She holds a bachelor’s degree in History from Concordia University Chicago and a Master of Science in Library and Information Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Anna has a deep passion for local history and believes that everyone has a story worth telling. Her interest in the Edwards Trace and early Illinois history began at the age of twelve with a history fair project that achieved notable success. What started as a school assignment soon became a meaningful family project, giving Anna and her father the opportunity to bond over the trail’s historical significance in Illinois.
In addition to her work in local history, Anna has a strong interest in sports history—particularly women’s baseball and the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
Anna is passionate about her work and is living the best of both worlds being a librarian and a historian. She believes in the importance of connecting with communities, fostering meaningful discussions, and learning from one another through shared stories and experiences.
Learn More and Follow Anna
Book this Road Scholar
Follow the steps below to book a presentation.
- Contact Anna to schedule a date and time via email at annasielaff98@gmail.com or via phone at (217) 737-4453.
- Once you and Anna have agreed upon a date and time, complete the online Road Scholars Host Organization application.
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