To our friends and colleagues,

In cooperation with state mandates concerning the COVID-19 pandemic requiring cancellation of public gathers of more than 100 persons, the Illinois State Historical Society has decided to postpone its scheduled "Best of Illinois History Awards Gala," originally slated for Friday, April 24, 2020. We are following protocols established by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health to ensure the safety of the public and request that all persons experiencing flu-like symptoms stay indoors. Likewise those individuals who have been in personal contact with symptomatic people should error on the side of caution to avoid the spread of the novel corona virus.

The Illinois State Historical Society will maintain regular office hours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, but those who need to conduct business with the staff are advised to call ahead.

The Society plans to reschedule the "Best of Illinois History Awards Gala" when restrictions of public gatherings have been lifted, and our best wishes go out to the ISHS family. The Society's Annual Meeting will also be reschedule when it is deemed safe and practical for its members to gather and vote for new directors and advisors.

Wishing you the best of health and a happy spring!

William Furry
Executive Director

Theme: A Night at the Speakeasy

Come dolled up and dapper in your vintage 1920s finery or evening cocktail party attire for a seriously fun time!

The event will include cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, live entertainment, wine pull, and the Annual Awards presentation recognizing indivuals, groups, and oranizations that have furthered the collection, preservation, and interpretation of Illinois history.

To our readers:

The nominations are in and buzz is building. If you have not already done so, mark your calendars for Friday, April 24 and the “Best of Illinois History Awards Gala,” the night the Illinois State Historical Society celebrates the people, organizations, authors, museums, and historical societies that made history in the Prairie State in 2019. If you haven’t already received your invitation in the mail, call us. We’ll have one in the mail before you can name the state fossil.

This issue of Illinois Heritage contains articles on several fascinating people, places, and events in our state’s past that will stir your imagination, bring you closer to the essence of Illinois and, perhaps, stoke your own creative fires.

Thank you for reading Illinois Heritage. Your membership and gifts keep this organization vital and relevant. We cannot serve Illinois history without you.