Madison County Historical Society

Cemetery Restoration Workshops
2022-05-20 10:00 UTC | Immanuel United Methodist Church, 800 N. Main, Edwardsville, IL, 62062, United States
Two cemetery restoration workshops, May 20-21, 10 A.M. – 4 P.M., St. John’s Lutheran Church, 7201 West Main Street, Maryville, Illinois. Professional instructors. Last day to register, Friday, May 13. $75 registration fee includes lunch. Call 217-525-2781 to register.

MCHS Speaker Series
2022-06-05 14:00 | Immanuel United Methodist Church, 800 N. Main, Edwardsville, IL, 62062, United States
MCHS Speaker Series: Immanuel United Methodist Church (lower level), 800 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, IL Topic: Madison County’s Indian Captivity Story with presenter Mary Z. Rose, MCHS Archival Library Research Manager. Free and open to the public.

History Camp for Kids -- A Week of Adventures
2022-07-18 09:00 - 2022-07-21 15:00 | Center for Educational Opportunities, 201 Staunton Rd, Troy, IL, 62294, United States
A four-day History Camp for Kids will be held July 18-21 at the Center for Educational Opportunities, 201 Staunton Road, Troy, Illinois. Geared for Madison County students aged 9-11, each day begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m., and will include a field trip to an historic site in Madison County and history-based learning activities.
The cost per child is $100 which includes transportation to the sites, entry fees, educational materials, and snacks. Participants must bring a sack lunch each day. Online registration is at bit.ly/madcohistorycamp.
Campers will visit the Lewis and Clark Museum, the National Great Rivers Lock and Dam, the Confluence Tower, the Phillips 66 Museum of the Petroleum Industry, the Phillips 66 Refinery, a Lincoln-Douglas debate site, an Underground Railroad tunnel, and other historic sites related to the Abolitionist Movement. Participants should expect to do outdoor walking, often on uneven terrain.
The camp is a first-time collaborative effort between the Madison County Historical Society and the Madison County Regional Office of Education 41. All the camp coordinators have a background in historical studies and will provide instruction and guidance for the camp. The coordinators include Norma Asadorian, an educator and historian, Carol Manning, former education coordinator for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, and Dr. Robert Daiber, former Madison County Regional Superintendent of Schools. Additional historians, re-enactors, and staff also will provide learning experiences, supervision and support.
Registration is limited to the first thirty participants. For additional information, call 618-830-1647.

Genetic Genealogy and Your Family Tree
2022-08-02 09:00 | Immanuel United Methodist Church, 800 N. Main, Edwardsville, IL, 62062, United States
“Researching Your Family Tree Using DNA” is the topic for the Madison County Historical Society’s August Speaker Series program. The presenter, Debi Burgess, working through the DNA Detectives Facebook page, has assisted hundreds of families with finding their birth relatives. The program will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 7 in the lower level of Immanuel United Methodist Church at 800 N. Main St., Edwardsville, directly across the street from the MCHS Library.
DNA Detectives was founded and is administered by one of the country’s foremost genetic genealogist, Cece Moore. It is a resource where persons with questions about their birth family can reach out for assistance. Some are individuals who took a DNA test to learn their ethnicity, only to find they are not related to the people they thought were their birth family. Others have been on a life-long search to connect with birth families.
Burgess is one of many “search angels” connected to the page. These are people who have developed a high level of expertise and agree to help families in their search. They are not permitteurgd to accept payment for their work. For the Speaker program, Burgess will discuss how you can use DNA to discover your ancestors, the websites to help in your search, and methods available. The information will be useful for beginners, as well as interesting for people with a curiosity about how DNA is being used in these searches. She will also discuss some of the recent cold cases which have been solved using genetic genealogy techniques.
MCHS Speaker Series programs are free and open to the public. Regular hours at the Madison County History Museum and Library are Wed – Fri, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sun, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Although the museum building is closed for renovations, museum exhibits can be found at the library and online at madcohistory.org. For additional information, call 618-656-7569.

MCHS To Host Trivia Night
2022-08-27 19:00 - 21:00 | American Legion, 190 S. Main St., Glen Carbon, 62034
Madison County Historical Society will be hosting a Trivia Night on Saturday, Aug. 27, beginning at 7 p.m. It will be held at the Glen Carbon American Legion, 190 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. People are invited to help support the MCHS and reserve a table, sponsor a round, or make a donation. Call the Trivia Night Committee at 618-451-2611 or send an email to hyaghchig@charter.net. Walk-in teams are welcome!
Doors open at 6 p.m. and the game starts at 7 p.m. There is a maximum of 8 players per table, with a cost of $25/person. Mulligans are available on site at 3/$5 with a maximum of 12/$20 per team.
Cash prizes will be $400 for First Place and $300 for Second Place. There will be a Silent Auction, 50/50 Raffle, a Dead or Alive Game, Booze Basket Raffle, Pastry Auction, and Attendance Prizes. There is a cash bar for soda, water, beer and other alcohol (no outside drinks or alcohol permitted). Bring your own snacks!
This fundraiser benefits the Madison County Historical Society, a 501(c)3 charitable organization that operates the Madison County History Museum and Library in Edwardsville. MCHS also offers programming and events throughout the year which document Madison County’s rich history.

Breakfast Fundraiser at Masonic Lodge
2022-09-17 08:00 - 11:00 | Edwardsville Masonic Lodge, 90 Kriege Farm Rd., Glen Carbon, 62034, United States
A Breakfast Fundraiser with proceeds benefiting the Madison County Historical Society will be held from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Edwardsville Masonic Lodge, located at 90 Kriege Farm Road, Glen Carbon (Behind Glen Carbon Walmart).
Biscuits & gravy, with scrambled eggs, will be served. Eat in or take out. Recommended donation: $5. For more information, visit edwardsvillemasons.org, or see Facebook.com/edwardsvillemasons

This fundraiser benefits the Madison County Historical Society, a 501(c)3 charitable organization that operates the Madison County History Museum and Library in Edwardsville. MCHS also offers programming and events throughout the year which document Madison County’s rich history.

Family History Walk
2022-09-24 10:00 - 16:00 | Madison County Archival Library, 801 North Main Street, Edwardsville, IL, 62025, United States
The Madison County Historical Society and City of Edwardsville will present a Family History Walk on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 1 a.m. – 4 p.m. The event will feature re-enactors who will help bring local history alive.
The self-guided tour begins at the Madison County Museum, located at 801 N. Main St., Edwardsville. Events are planned at Old Lincoln School (10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Columbus School (11 a.m. and 2 p.m.), the Weir House (noon and 3 p.m.), and the Wildey Theatre (10 a.m. & 1 p.m.).

Vintage Baseball Game
2022-10-15 12:30 - 13:30 | Winston Brown Rec Complex, 1325 Shiller Ave., Edwardsville, IL, 62025, United States
Join us at the Winston Brown Recreation Center in Edwardsville for an old-fashioned game of base ball, using the official 1860 rulebook where baseball was spelled “base ball.”
And that’s not the only difference! Come for batting practice at 12:30 (kids over 10 and adults) or for the game at 1:30 p.m. when the Belleville Stags face-off against the St. Louis Brown Stockings.
MCHS will host a concession stand with the usual modern-day and 1860 baseball favorites, hotdogs, popcorn, Crackerjacks, and, of course, beer.

Peering into the Past -- Paranormally
2022-10-29 18:30 | Madison County Archival Library, 801 North Main Street, Edwardsville, IL, 62025, United States
The Madison County Historical Society invites all history buffs, skeptics, and paranormal enthusiasts to attend a program entitled “Introduction to Paranormal Investigating,” with an opportunity to participate in a paranormal investigation of Weir House. The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 29.
Photo credit: Lynn Watkins Photography
The evening will start at the Archival Library (801 N. Main. St., Edwardsville) at 6:30 p.m. with a seminar by members of the Midwest Paranormal Investigators Consortium on the “Dos and Don’ts” of researching and investigating possible haunted sites or paranormal activity, as well as a review of equipment used in paranormal investigation. They will also cover ways to “debunk” those weird feelings and bumps in the night. Beginning at 8 p.m. the program will shift next door to the Weir House for a nighttime investigation.
This event is limited to 20 participants, 15 years and older, on a first-come, first-served basis. If there is a high level of interest in this program, a wait list will be created for an additional session later in the years.
Time: 6:30 p.m. – midnight (participants can leave before midnight)

Dining in History -- Annual MCHS Meeting
2022-11-06 12:00 - 15:00 | Old Bakery Beer Company, 400 Landmarks Blvd, Alton, IL, 62002, United States
Dining in History is an annual MCHS event held at an historic property in Madison County where guests can enjoy a meal and learn about the venue through a program and guided tours. This year the Society is hosting the event at the Old Bakery Brew Company in Alton that is in the former Colonial Bakery building.
In earlier years participants have explored the Wildey Theatre, learned about the Alton Dam, and dined in the rotunda of the Madison County Courthouse to celebrate its Centennial. The Dining in History event also serves as the Society’s Annual Meeting for the purpose of electing Board members.

Schedule

Brewery Tours: Noon and 12:30 p.m. & social hour. (Please indicate which time slot you want under remarks when making your reservation)
Buffet Luncheon: 1 p.m. (Herbed chicken breast, roast beef, potatoes, salad, dessert, beverage and more)
Cash Bar
MCHS Annual Meeting
Program: Beer and Bread: The History of Breweries and Bakeries in Alton by Lacy McDonald and Don Huber

Tickets
$45 for MCHS members
$55 for non-members
Reservation deadline is Oct. 21.
Call 618-656-1294 for more information

History Harvest: Immigration and Migration
2023-01-21 11:00 - 14:00 | Collinsville Memorial Library, 408 West Main, Collinsville, IL, 62234, United States
Current or former residents of Madison County are invited to attend a second “History Harvest” on Saturday, January 21 from 11 A.M. – 2 P.M. at Collinsville Memorial Library. The library is located at 408 West Main Street in Collinsville. The focus of the History Harvest is to collect information for a future exhibit about immigration and migration to Madison County.
The History Harvest is collaborative effort of MCHS staff and volunteers with students and faculty from SIUE’s IRIS Center and Department of History. It is supported by a SHARP grant from the American Historical Association and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
If area residents know the story of how or why their family moved to Madison County and have documentation, the Society asks that they bring them to this event where items will be scanned to make their family part of the recorded story of Madison County. Participants will be given a USB drive with high-quality digital images of their items.
Walk-ins are welcome but reservations are recommended. To make an appointment, go to: https://bit.ly/collinsville-harvest, email margars@siue.edu, or call 618-656-1294.

History Harvest: Wood River
2023-02-25 10:00 - 14:00 | Wood River Public Library, 326 E. Ferguson Ave., Wood River, 62095
Current or former residents of Madison County are invited to attend a third “History Harvest” on Saturday, February 25 from 10 A.M. – 2 P.M. at Wood River Public Library. The library is located at 326 E. Ferguson Ave, Wood River. The focus of the History Harvest is to collect information for a future exhibit about immigration and migration to Madison County.
The History Harvest is collaborative effort of MCHS staff and volunteers with students and faculty from SIUE’s IRIS Center and Department of History. It is supported by a SHARP grant from the American Historical Association and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
If area residents know the story of how or why their family moved to Madison County and have documentation, the Society asks that they bring them to this event where items will be scanned to make their family part of the recorded story of Madison County. Participants will be given a USB drive with high-quality digital images of their items.
Walk-ins are welcome but reservations are recommended. To make an appointment, go to: https://bit.ly/wood-river-harvest, email margars@siue.edu.

Celebrating the Mississippi River Festival
2023-04-16 14:00 - 16:00 | Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, IL, 62025, United States
Mark Pierce, author of “When the Stars Came Out: Stories of the Mississippi River Festival,” will be the presenter for the April Madison County Historical Society’s Speaker Series on Sunday, April 16 at 2.p.m.
The event will be held at the Main Street Community Center at 1003 N. Main Street in Edwardsville. Pierce has been a journalist and corporate communications leader in the St. Louis area for more than 30 years. A graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, his love of music and connections with many who played pivotal roles in the Mississippi River Festival (MRF) story served as inspiration for his book which was written with former festival director Lyle Ward, and Jack Twesten. The book became an outlet for the artists who played, the fans who cheered, and the workers behind the scenes to tell their stories.
Pierce will be sharing stories he collected when researching the book and will have the new book available for sale after the presentation.
This event is free and open to the public. For additional event information call 618-656-1294.

Free MCHS Program: Migration and Health in National and Global History
2023-05-07 14:00 | Weir House Museum Building, 715 N. Main, Edwardsville, IL, 62025, United States
The Madison County Historical Society (MCHS) will offer two new exhibits and a companion program beginning May 7 and May 10. “Migration and Health in National and Global History,” will be presented Sunday, May 7, at 2 p.m. at the Main Street Community Center at 1003 N. Main Street in Edwardsville.
The speaker, Kathleen Vongsathorn, is an Associate Professor of History at SIUE where she teaches the history of health, disease and science. The program was created to showcase the two exhibits to follow on May 10.

An Evening with Thomas Jefferson
2023-05-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Wildey Theatre, 252 N. Main, Edwardsville, 62025, United States
The Madison County Historical Society (MCHS) and Friends of the Wildey Theat

er are hosting “Thomas Jefferson: The Man and Legacy” featuring historian Kurt Smith at the Wildey Theatre on Thursday, May 11, at 7 p.m.
Historian and researcher Kurt Smith has devoted his life and career to the study and portrayal of Thomas Jefferson. He is one of only two men who work full-time introducing the public to the story of Jefferson as a man, as well as a dynamic figure in the history of America. Smith often appears at Colonial Williamsburg where Thomas Jefferson attended college at William and Mary.
Smith’s presentation gives an honest portrayal of Jefferson in all his humanity as a hopeful, flawed, passionate human being.
The historic Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville, Illinois is located at 252 N. Main Street. Thanks to the
support of the Lewis and Clark Historical Society, this event is free and open to the public. No tickets are required. For additional information about this event, call MCHS at 618-656-1294.

MCHS Speakers Series: An Introduction to Armenian Culture, History, and the Armenian Genocide
2023-06-11 14:00 - 16:00 | Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, IL, 62025, United States
“An Introduction to Armenian Culture, History, and the Armenian Genocide” is the topic for the June 11 Speaker Series program from the Madison County Historical Society (MCHS).
Historian Norma Asadorian, whose Armenian grandparents immigrated to Granite City, Illinois, will introduce the to Armenian culture and the Armenian genocide. The program will begin at 2 p.m. at the Main Street Community Center at 1003 N. Main Street in Edwardsville, Illinois. The program is free and open to the public.
Armenians, and other immigrants who settled in Granite City’s Lincoln Place neighborhood, played an important role in the development of the planned community. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Granite City was established by the immigrant industrialist brothers Fredrick and William Niedringhaus across the Mississippi River from St. Louis. Granite City began as an industrial town producing graniteware household items and industrial steel. It was connected to other parts of the country by several railroad lines. The need for large amounts of cheap factory labor attracted thousands of immigrants, including Hungarians, Macedonians, Mexicans, and Armenians, among many others.
Known to historians as “The First Genocide of the Twentieth Century,” the Armenian Genocide is a significant event in modern Armenian history and continues to influence foreign relations with the Republic of Armenia and the lives and shared memories of Armenians and their descendants around the globe. This is what prompted the immigration of many early Granite City Armenians.
Norma Asadorian earned a BA degree from MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois, where she double majored in History and in Russian and East European Studies. Subsequently, she attended SIUE where she obtained a BS degree in Education with a major in History and later an MA in History. Before her retirement in 2012, Asadorian was an award-winning secondary school teacher for 37 years. She is the and President of the Lincoln Place Heritage Association, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the historical and cultural heritage of Granite City’ historic Lincoln Place neighborhood.
This program is the third of four offered annually by the Madison County Historical Society. All Speaker Series programs are free and open to the public. MCHS is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that owns and operates the Madison County History Museum and Archival Library at 801 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, Illinois. For additional information visit the MCHS website at https://madcohistory.org/ or call 618-656-1294.

Farm to Factory
2023-07-17 09:00 - 2023-07-20 15:00 | Center for Educational Opportunities, 201 Staunton Rd, Troy, IL, 62294, United States
A history-oriented summer camp for youth, ages 9-12, is being offered by the Madison County Historical Society in partnership with the Madison County Regional Office of Education #41. The camp will be held July 17 – 20, 2023, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. daily.
Campers begin each day at the Center for Educational Opportunities in Troy, Illinois, before heading out for a daily field trip exploring one of the subjects included in the 2023 itinerary. This year’s theme, “From Farm to Factory,” will explore a Centennial farm, the coal mining industry, the Mississippi River, and the N. O. Nelson Manufacturing Company. School buses with experienced drivers will transport campers to their daily destinations.
The camp is designed and staffed by professional teachers and educators, including Bob Daiber, Norma Asadorian, Cara Lane, and Carol Manning.
The registration fee of $150 includes snacks, transportation, entry fees, and educational materials.
Campers are asked to bring their own sack lunch.
Registration opens on April 17 at bit.ly/madcohistorycamp
For additional information, go to https://madcohistory.org/ or call 618-656-1294.

Paranormal Investigators to Re-Explore Weir House
2024-01-20 19:00 - 2024-01-21 00:30 | Weir House Museum Building, 715 N. Main, Edwardsville, IL, 62025, United States
The Midwest Paranormal Investigators Consortium (MPIC) will be back to explore the Weir House with the intent of learning if there has been any change in paranormal activity since the building has undergone major restoration.
The evening will start in the Archival Library (801 N. Main St., Edwardsville) at 7 p.m., on Jan. 20, 2024, with a brief overview by members of MPIC on the “Dos and don’ts” of researching and investigating possible haunted sites or paranormal activity, as well as a review of equipment used in paranormal investigation. Beginning at 8 p.m., the program will shift next door to the Weir House for a nighttime investigation.
This event is limited to 20 participants, 15 years and older, on a fire-come, first-served basis. If there is a high level of interest in this program, a wait list will be created for an additional session later in the year.
Time: 7 p.m. – midnight (participants can leave before midnight), Jan. 20, 2024
Place: Madison County Archival Library, 801 N. Main St., Edwardsville
Price: $40 (Society members, $35)
For questions or to reserve a space contact Lynn Engleman, lae2017@gmail.com or call 703-995-0806 and leave your name and contact information.

Speakers Series - Larry Kinsella, Chip-A-Canoe Project
2024-02-11 14:00 - 16:00 | Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, IL, 62025, United States
On Sunday, February 11 at 2 p. m. the Madison County Historical Society will welcome Larry Kinsella as the first presenter in the 2024 MCHS Speaker Series. The event is held. at the Main Street Community Center at 1003 N. Main Street in Edwardsville, Illinois. Speaker Series events are free and open to the public.
Kinsella will discuss last summer’s “Chip-a-canoe” project, where volunteers spent 451 hours turning a felled tree into a canoe using only hand-made stone tools as the Native Americans would have done centuries ago. It had been done before by others, but it was not well documented. They set out to complete the most documented dugout canoe, experimental archaeology project and succeeded. When completed, the canoe, with passengers, floated down the Illinois River from Kampsville to Hardin.
Kinsella, who has a strong interest in experimental archaeology, said he talked about this project for 35 years. He said, “It’s inevitable that someone finally calls your bluff. That’s what happened a few years ago at the Rabbit Stick Rendezvous in Rexburg, Idaho. Myron Cretney told me I’d better start the project while I still could!”
Kinsella, an amateur archaeologist, has been a volunteer at Cahokia Mounds for 50 years and has been involved in archaeology for more than 65 years. He began to flintknap in 1980 and has authored many articles and papers on experimental archaeology. In 2010 he was awarded the prestigious Don Crabtree
Award by the Society of American Archaeology. A carpenter by trade, he combines those skills with his experience in experimental archaeology to provide programming for libraries, schools, universities, and now, the Madison County Historical Society.
The Madison County Historical Society owns and operates the MCHS Archival Library at 801 N. Main Street in Edwardsville, Illinois. Hours are Wed.-Fri. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sun. 1-4 p.m. The library is also open Mon.-Tues. by appointment only. MCHS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that receives no public funding.. For more information or to learn more about Madison County history, visit the Society’s website at https://madcohistory.org/, or call 618-656-6579.

Lincoln and Koerner at the Crossroads of History
2024-04-14 14:00 - 16:00 | Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, IL, 62025, United States
Jack LeShien and Mollie McKenzie, Co-chairs of the Gustave Koerner House Restoration Committee in Belleville, Illinois, will present a program for the Madison County Historical Society’s Speaker Series on April 14 at 2 p.m. The subject is “Lincoln and Koerner at the Crossroads of History.” MCHS Speaker Series events are free and open to the public. These events are held at the Main Street Community Center at 1003 N. Main Street in Edwardsville, Illinois.
Gustave Koerner may be one of Southwestern Illinois’ least known, yet most influential Illinoisians from his era. Born in Germany in 1809. He was a college educated man who in his youth was an activist. Regarded as a freedom fighter by modern historians, in Germany, in his time, he was considered a dangerous anti-government revolutionary. He fled his native country to avoid imprisonment.
In America, Koerner continued his activism, working with his friend, Abraham Lincoln, to stop the expansion of slavery in America. He helped form the Republican Party and in 1856 became chair of the Illinois Republican Party. Two years later he was president of the Convention that nominated his friend, Abraham Lincoln, to the Senate. He travelled the state, politicking for Lincoln and against the expansion of slavery, lecturing in both German and English, depending on the audience. One author called him a “confessed enemy of slavery.” That description relates to Koerner’s words when he said, “Do right and fear no one.”
When he came to America, Koerner eventually settled in Belleville, Illinois, where his accomplishments were extraordinary. He was an attorney who was better educated than most due to his university education in Germany. When his law partner, James Shields, retired as Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, Koerner was chosen to replace him. He met Abraham Lincoln through his legal career and sometimes was co-counsel in railroad cases. He was a politician who was a party loyalist, but not afraid to change parties when it failed to support issues he felt strongly about. Koerner also served as a Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, as a Colonel in the Civil War, and, as U. S. Ambassador to Spain.
Le Chien and McKenzie are responsible for the renovation of Koerner’s 1854 two-story Greek Revival home in Belleville. Both are completely immersed in the history of Gustave Koerner and they tell a good story about both the man and his influences on this area and the country. They will also discuss the restoration of Koerner’s nearly 200-year-old house. Le Chien was news director at WIBV radio, Belleville, for 17 years and in that job learned an appreciation of the history of southwest Illinois. Since 1995 he has been involved in historic preservation in Belleville and in 2001 became co-chair with Molly McKenzie of the Gustave Koerner House Committee.
In 2010, McKenzie retired from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency after a 32-year career spent in Southwestern Illinois. She has received many awards over the years for both professional and volunteer projects promoting preservation as well as projects that educate the public about the diverse historical record of this area.
The Madison County Historical Society owns and operates the MCHS History Museum and Archival Library at 801 N. Main Street in Edwardsville, Illinois. The museum is currently closed for renovation, but library Hours are Wed.-Fri. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sun. 1-4 p.m. The library is also open Mon.-Tues. by appointment only. MCHS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that receives no public funding. For more information on this program or to learn more about Madison County history, visit the Society’s website https://madcohistory.org/, or call 618-656-6579.

Historian Researches Women in Lincoln’s Life
2024-06-09 14:00 - 16:00 | Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, IL, 62025, United States
The Madison County Historical Society’s June Speaker Series event will take place June 9 at 2 p.m. at the Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main Street in Edwardsville, Illinois. The lecture is by historian Stacy Lynn whose program is “Loving Lincoln: Stories about Women and Abraham Lincoln.” MCHS Speaker Series events are free and open to the public.
Lynn recently completed a manuscript for Southern Illinois University Press which explores various women in President Lincoln’s personal life including his female legal clients, his political constituency of women, and a few of the women who shaped his legacy. The book, scheduled for publication in January 2025, is part biography, part memoir, and also includes personal stories about Lynn’s relationship with Lincoln through her experience as an editor of Lincoln’s papers for 20 years. Lynn’s previous books include The Jury in Lincoln’s America (2012) and Mary Lincoln: Southern Girl, Northern Woman (2015).
In her presentation, she will share several stories from the new book, provide a short reading and lead a discussion afterwards. She has written dozens of articles and appeared in numerous documentaries related to her specialties. She has historical expertise on Lincoln, 19th Century America, Illinois history, women’s history, the Progressive Era, legal history and the history of race. Lynn has a Ph.D. in American History from the University of Illinois (2007). From 1996-2016 she was Associate Editor and Assistant Director of the Papers of Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. Currently, she serves as Associate Editor of the Jane Addams Papers.
The Madison County Historical Society owns and operates the MCHS History Museum and Archival Library at 801 N. Main Street in Edwardsville, Illinois. The museum is currently closed for renovation, but library hours are Wed.-Fri. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sun. 1-4 p.m. The library is also open Mon.-Tues. by appointment only. MCHS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which receives no public funding. For more information on this program or to learn more about Madison County history, visit the Society’s website https://madcohistory.org/, or call 618-656-6579.

MRF Roadshow Exhibit Closing Reception
2024-07-31 17:00 - 21:00 | Weir House Museum Building, 715 N. Main, Edwardsville, IL, 62025, United States
For two months, Lyle Ward’s collection of MRF memorabilia has been on display at the Madison County History Museum, 715 N. Main Street, Edwardsville. This reception celebrates the success of the exhibit and offers one last opportunity to see it at the museum and mingle with friends who have similar memories of the great Mississippi River Festival. The reception is free and open to the public but an RSVP is appreciated. To RSVP, send a text to 618-973-3312 or call 618-656-1294.

Loving Lincoln by Stacey Lynnn
2024-08-11 14:00 - 16:00 | Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, IL, 62025, United States
Historian Stacy Lynn will provide a program on Abraham Lincoln for the final event of the 2024 Annual MCHS Speaker Series. “Loving Lincoln: Stories about Women and Abraham Lincoln” will be presented at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 11 at the Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main Street in Edwardsville, Illinois. The MCHS Speaker Series events are free and open to the public.
Lynn recently completed a manuscript for Southern Illinois University Press which explores various women in President Lincoln’s personal life including his female legal clients, his political constituency of women, and a few of the women who shaped his legacy. The book, scheduled for publication in January 2025, is part biography, part memoir, and also includes personal stories about Lynn’s relationship with Lincoln through her experience as an editor of Lincoln’s papers for 20 years. Lynn’s previous books include The Jury in Lincoln’s America (2012) and Mary Lincoln: Southern Girl, Northern Woman (2015).
In her presentation, she will share several stories from the new book, provide a short reading and lead a discussion afterwards. She has written dozens of articles and appeared in numerous documentaries related to her specialties. She has historical expertise on Lincoln, 19th Century America, Illinois history, women’s history, the Progressive Era, legal history and the history of race.
Lynn has a Ph.D. in American History from the University of Illinois (2007). From 1996-2016 she was Associate Editor and Assistant Director of the Papers of Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. Currently, she serves as Associate Editor of the Jane Addams Papers. This program was originally scheduled for June 9 but was rescheduled.
The Madison County Historical Society owns and operates the MCHS History Museum and Archival Library at 801 N. Main Street in Edwardsville, Illinois. The Society preserves documentation and artifacts of Madison County and provides a broad spectrum of educational programming. Founded in 1921, MCHS is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that receives no public funding.
To learn more about Madison County history, visit the Society’s website https://madcohistory.org/, visit its Facebook page (Madison County Historical Society), or call 618-656-6579.

MCHS Trivia Night
2024-08-24 18:30 - 21:00 | St. Gregory Armenian Community Center, 3501 Century Drive, Granite City, IL, 62040, United States
The Madison County Historical Society’s annual Trivia Night fundraiser will be held Saturday, August 24 beginning at 7 p. m. at St. Gregory Armenian Community Center, 3501 Century Dr., Granite City. Cash prizes, games, silent auction, and more. Doors open at 6:30 p. m. For details or to make reservations call 618-451-2611 or go to the MCHS website at http://madcohistory.org/

Art from the Vault
2024-09-04 12:00 - 2024-11-15 16:00 | Weir House Museum Building, 715 N. Main, Edwardsville, IL, 62025, United States
A new exhibit at the Madison County History Museum opens September 4 and will run through November 15. As the name implies, it includes paintings, posters, drawings, etc. from the MCHS collections, many that have not been available for viewing in many years. Some of the pieces depict Madison County residents or places and others were painted or drawn by Madison County residents. This exhibit will also include hair wreaths, sculptures, needlework, and other forms of artistic expression. Beginning September 4, the exhibit can be viewed Wednesday-Friday Noon – 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 – 4 p.m.

Family History Walk
2024-09-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Nickel Plate Station, 600 Troy Road, Edwardsville, 62025, United States
The 2024 Family History Walk will be held on Saturday, September 14 beginning at 10 a. m. at the Nickel Plate Station, 600 Troy Road, in Edwardsville. Participants will be led through parts of the Leclaire National Historic District by reenactors portraying residents from the past. This Madison County Historical Society (MCHS) event is free and open to the public. Allow two hours. For more information, call 618-656-1294 or visit the MCHS website at http://madcohistory.org/

MCHS Breakfast Benefit
2024-09-21 08:00 - 11:00 | Edwardsville Masonic Lodge, 90 Kriege Farm Rd., Glen Carbon, 62034, United States
On Saturday morning, September 21, from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m., the Edwardsville Masonic Lodge will serve a delicious breakfast of biscuits and gravy with scrambled eggs. 100% of the receipts will be donated to the Madison County Historical Society (MCHS), a 501(c)3 charitable organization. This is the third year the Masons have supported MCHS with a breakfast fundraiser. Money raised helps pay overhead expenses which allow the society to operate the Madison County History Museum and Archival Library. Suggested donation is $7. The public is asked to come out and bring their friends and family. It’s a delicious way to support MCHS. The lodge is located at 90 Kriege Farm Road (behind Walmart) in Glen Carbon. For additional information, call 618-656-1294.

Living History Days
2024-10-04 10:00 - 2024-10-06 16:00 | Wildey Theatre, 252 N. Main, Edwardsville, 62025, United States
Three days of discovery and family fun in and around Edwardsville, Illinois from the Madison County Historical Society. Concerts, reenactors, vintage baseball, a quilt show, book festival, cemetery tours, a Chautauqua, and more. Many events are free. For a full schedule of events and times, go to https://madcohistory.org/living-history-days-festival-2024/
Scan for more info

Dining in History
2024-11-03 18:00 - 21:00 | Crystal Gardens, 1230 University Drive, Edwardsville, IL, 62025, United States
The Madison County Historical Society (MCHS) will hold the 2024 Dining in History event at Crystal Gardens along old Route 66. Following a delicious meal, nationally known Route 66 historians Joe Sonderman and Cheryl Eichar Jett will present a program on the history of Route 66 in this area. This is a ticketed event open to the public. Tickets are available now on the MCHS website at https://madcohistory.org/dining-in-history-2/. For additional information call 618-656-1294.

Speakers Series - Parlor Music of the Civil War Era
2025-04-13 14:00 - 15:00 | Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, IL, 62025, United States
In Lincoln’s time, music played a major role in households where many owned one or more instruments to provide entertainment in the home. For the April MCHS Speaker Series, Wild Columbine, an ensemble that specializes in the music of that era, will demonstrate instruments, give a little history and play a lot of music. The event is on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at 2 P.M. at the Main Street Community Center at 1003 N. Main Street in Edwardsville, Illinois. “Parlor Music of the Civil War Era” is a free program and open to the public.
Wild Columbine, consisting of musicians William Furry, Sally McDaniel-Smith, and Megan Thornberry, specializes in 18th and 19th century traditional and parlor music. They perform their repertoire on acoustic instruments of the period, violin, flute, mandolin, guitar, concertina, harmonium, whistles, and bodhran. The trio is from central Illinois and plays often in the Springfield area as well as throughout the state. Collectively the musicians have more than 80 years of performance experience.
The musicians also provide context and commentary to explain the background, composers, and other relevant information for each selection. Programs in this series combine the arts and history to provide depth and a greater understanding of the past.
Wild Columbine is the first performance in a series from the Illinois State Historical Society (IAHS) called “The Arts, Historically Speaking.” MCHS is grateful to be one of seven Illinois county historical societies chosen for various programs in the series that is funded by the Illinois Arts Council’s (IAC) Creative Catalyst grant program. The Illinois Arts Council has been supporting the arts in Illinois for more than sixty years.
This is the 13 th season for the Madison County Historical Society’s Speaker Series. Still ahead this year is
a program with historian Kathrine Harris as Harriet Tubman on June 22, and historian Stacy Lynn will tell stories about her new book on Lincoln and women on August 10. For further information on programs, contact MCHS at 618-656-1294.
MCHS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that has been preserving the stories, photographs, and artifacts of Madison County for more than a century. The Society owns and operates the Madison County History Museum and Archival Library at 715-801 N. Main Street in Edwardsville, and provides educational programming throughout the county. To learn more about the Madison County Historical Society, visit their website at https://madcohistory.org/ or call 618-656-7569.
