Illinois Heritage, July–August 2023

Volume 26, Number 4

To our readers

With the Summer Solstice fast fading in the rearview mirror, we’re setting sights on Autumnal adventures, starting with the ISHS’s Sesquicentennial House of Worship reception, which takes place September 23 in Springfield. This celebration recognizes churches, synagogues, and other congregations of religious heritage founded in Illinois 150 or more years ago. So many early community records—births, christenings, baptisms, marriages, and deaths—were recorded in congregational histories it is hard to envision an early Illinois narrative without them. Congratulations to all this year’s award recipients.

Next on the ISHS calendar is the Annual Conference on Illinois History, which takes place October 5–6 at Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. The ISHS is collaborating on several conference panels and has encouraged several Society members to present papers on numerous fascinating topics related to Prairie State history. Please join us in supporting this annual event.

The July-August of Illinois Heritage comes to you courtesy of so many good, kind, and generous people; I never cease to be amazed by the members and friends of the Society who trust and believe in what we do, and make this bimonthly magazine happen. You are incredible. I’m especially pleased to include Clifton Jackson’s outstanding research on the 1902 racially motivated attacks in Eldorado that shut down a Tuskegee-modeled school before it got off the ground, and Jim Ridings’ curious story about the Aurora mayor who appointed a parrot to run that city’s police force. And what a joy it is to see so many new ISHS markers unveiled this summer. And there are more to come!!

Thanks to all of you who have made donations to the Society this year. Your gifts make all the difference!

Share your Heritage!

William Furry
Executive Director