In this issue, we celebrate the election of Kathryn Harris as the first female and first African American president of the Abraham Lincoln Association. Next we share with you our nominations for the ISHS officers, directors, and advisors, who will help take us into the state’s 200th anniversary.
This issue also includes Gina Wysocki’s history of the Will County Poor Farm, reprinted with permission of the author and the Will County Historical Society, which published the piece nearly a decade ago. Many counties had their own facilities for indigent populations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; none was especially memorable as a comfortable haven for the poor.
Finally, we include two new features in this issue: An Illinois Crossword puzzle, courtesy of Blue River Press; and a canvas of Illinois “heroes” submitted by several of our 2,700 Facebook friends. Not a Facebook friend of the ISHS? Join the discussion and share your Illinois Heritage! Happy, happy Spring!