Newsroom

A new online exhibit by the staff of the Madison County Historical Museum explores One Hundred Years of Cooking. Assistant curator, Mary Z. Rose, under the direction of curator Jennifer Van Bibber, has assembled another interesting and timely exhibit. With so many people at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a resurgence in the interests of cooking and baking. The new exhibit is one of a dozen topics that can be explored at https://madcohistory.org/online-exhibits/.

The Madison County Historical Society (MCHS) is pleased to announce the receipt of two grants that will assist with operations and programming.

A new exhibit, Women’s Suffrage in Madison County, has just been added to the Madison County Historical Museum’s catalog of online exhibits available at https://madcohistory.org/online-exhibits/. Assistant Curator, Mary Z. Rose, under the direction of Curator Jennifer Van Bibber, has assembled another interesting and educational exhibit for local residents and students of history.

Although the Madison County Archival Library is closed until future notice due to COVID-19 and the Museum for renovation, the Madison County Historical Society and museum staff continue to offer access to information about Madison County history through its website (https://madcohistory.org/) and Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/madcohistory/). 

The Prairie State kicks off its 200th birthday party celebration on December 3, 2017, and the Illinois State Historical Society invites you to let us know what you are doing in your county to celebrate this milestone.  Our website features an Events calendar that will highlight your events--bicentennial or otherwise historical--but only if you go to www.historyillinois.org and submit your information.  Let us help you get the word out and while you're there, check out "Today in Illinois History" for a sampling of what people have been doing here for the last two hundred years or so.

Our year-end issue of Illinois Heritage is a veritable feast of delights.  John Hallwas and Kathleen Spaltro highlight writers with Illinois connections and Cindy Reinhardt takes us to the "almost lost" town of Montgomery Station.  Continue farther down into Egypt with photographer Gary DeNeal for a look at misty autumn moments downstate.

As we come to year's end, it's also time to reflect back on our Johnny Appleseed trees--all of which have gone to good homes throughout the state, and look forward to recognizing historic businesses and churches in Illinois.  If you have a business in your town that is 100 years old or a church that is 150 years old (or older), please consider nominating them for recognition by the ISHS.  Applications for both programs can be found in this issue.

Happy, happy holidays!