Historian Researches Women in Lincoln’s Life
2024-06-09 14:00 - 16:00 UTC | 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/
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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.

Quilt & Stitchery: Past and Present
2025-05-14 12:00 - 2025-07-31 16:00 | Weir House Museum Building, 715 N. Main, Edwardsville, IL, 62025, United States
The Madison County History Museum will host a new exhibit in May featuring quilts and stichery from the private collections of Donna Bisset, Mary Grose, and Candace Ladd. The exhibit, Quilts & Stichery: Past and Present, will be on display from May 14 – July 31 at the museum. Exhibit hours are Wednesday – Friday, noon – 4 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 – 4 p.m.

A Literary Salon
2025-05-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Weir House Museum Building, 715 N. Main, Edwardsville, IL, 62025, United States
The Madison County History Society will present A Literary Salon on May 15, 2025, starting at 7 p.m. The program will consist of the Great Hits of the Romantic Era, featuring Jeff Skoblow.
Prepare for a delightful evening of poetry (with a little wine) on the second floor of the 1836 Weir House. The event is free and open to the public (donations gleefully accepted).

Chicken Dinner Benefit
2025-06-01 11:00 - 15:00 | Edwardsville Moose Lodge, 7371 Marine Road, Edwardsville, 62025, United States
The Edwardsville Moose Lodge will host a Chicken Dinner Benefit for the Madison County History Society on Sunday, June 1, 2025, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. The lodge is located at 7371 Marine Road (Route 143) in Edwardsville.
Dinners are $14 per person and $7 for children age 12 and under. The menu: fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, green beans, bread, salad, and beverage. Homemade desserts are sold separately. Eat in or take out.
A portion of each dinner price, plus the sale of desserts, will benefit the Madison County Historical Society.

MCHS Summer History Camp
2025-07-14 08:00 - 2025-07-17 17:00 | Center for Educational Opportunities, 201 Staunton Rd, Troy, IL, 62294, United States
The Madison County Historical Society will host a Summer History Camp from July 14-17, 2025. The topic will be “The Civil War and Abraham Lincoln.” It will involve four days of field trips and educational activities for youth ages 9-12. Registration fee is $150 and can be done online. Link: Event Registration
MCHS Summer History Camp is staffed by professional teachers and educators. Transportation is on school buses with experienced bus drivers. Fee included snacks, entry fees, and educational materials. Campers should bring a daily lunch.

Old-Fashioned Country Picnic
2025-07-19 11:00 - 15:00 | IL
Join the Madison County Historical Society for an Old Fashioned Country Picnic at Oakdale (the Mudge Family Farm at Grantfork), on Saturday, July 19, 2025, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Farm address: 4512 Mudge Road, Highland, Illinois. There will a boxed lunch, live music, house tours, and games for all ages, plus pick-up games of softball played with vintage rules. People are invited to bring their lawn chairs/blankets and enjoy an afternoon in the country. No advanced ticket sales. Please purchase tickets when you arrive. For more information call 618-656-7669.

Stacy Lynn Speaks About Abraham Lincoln
2025-08-10 14:00 | Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, IL, 62025, United States
Presenter Stacy Lynn will lead a Speakers Series event on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at 2 p.m., featuring the topic Loving Lincoln: Stories About Women and Abraham Lincoln.
The event will be held at the Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, Ill. It is free and open to the public.
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.

Madison County Historical Society Trivia Night
2025-08-23 19:00 - 21:00 | St. Gregory Armenian Community Center, 3501 Century Drive, Granite City, IL, 62040, United States
The Madison County Historical Society will host a trivia night on Saturday, August 23 beginning at 7 p.m. at the St. Gregory Armenian Community Center, 3501 Century Drive, Granite City, Illinois. The doors open at 6:00 p.m. The public is invited to join MCHS for a night of challenging fun. All categories include general interest questions anyone might know.
There will be cash prizes as well as many of the games typically played at local trivia nights. The MCHS Silent Auction will include books of local history, event tickets, gift baskets, and more.
Teams will consist of up to eight people at a cost of $25 per person. Mulligans will be available only at the door at a cost of three/$5 or a maximum of twelve/$20 per table. Since there is a cash bar, no outside drinks or alcohol is allowed in the hall, but attendees are encouraged to bring snacks.
For advanced reservations, call 618-451-2611 or email hyaghchig@charter.net. Walk-in teams are also welcome.
The Madison County Historical Society is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that has been preserving and researching Madison County history for over a century. The Society appreciates the support of all residents of Madison County as it looks for trivia teams, donated goods/services for the silent auction, and round sponsors.
For more information, call the MCHS Trivia Night Committee at 618-451-2611.

Family History Walk -2025
2025-09-13 10:00 - 14:00 | IL
The Madison County Historical Society’s Annual Family History Walk will take place along St. Louis Street in Edwardsville, Illinois, on Saturday, September 13. Participants will meet at the West End Service Station at the corner of St. Louis and West Streets in Edwardsville, at 10 a.m. The restored station is now the City of Edwardsville’s Route 66 Tourist Information Center. Parking is available at First Baptist Church at 534 St. Louis Street.
After a brief introduction, a guide will lead participants to ten St. Louis Street homes where actors portraying former residents of the houses will greet them. The first stop after the West End Service Station will be at Hadley House where Julia Hadley Griffin will talk about the “Marriage Triangle,” consisting of three generations of homes on the same corner, the E. M. West House, the Hadley House, and the Burley-Griffin House. The walk does not include entrance to any of the houses.
The History Walk began many years ago as a program for Edwardsville second graders. The students would tour Edwardsville’s Main Street. In 2022, MCHS brought back the tradition and invited families to participate in the walks which are held in different neighborhoods each year. This year, St. Louis Street was chosen because it is a National Historic District recognized for its beautiful and varied architecture.
This is a free event offered by MCHS to build awareness of and interest in the community around us. Allow two hours to complete the walk. For more information, contact the Madison County Historical Society at 618-656-1294 or visit the MCHS website at https://madcohistory.org/.

Living History Days Festival - 2025
2025-10-03 08:00 - 2025-10-05 17:00 | IL
The 2025 Madison County Historical Society’s Living History Days Festival will be held in Edwardsville and Glen Carbon, Illinois, on October 3-5. The MCHS created the festival six years ago to provide opportunities for residents of all ages to connect with history. The schedule of events includes something for everyone. Concerts, book fairs, crafts, demonstrations, and more will be waiting for visitors in Edwardsville and Glen Carbon in early October.
A full schedule of events is listed on the attached flyer. For more information, call 618-656-1294, or scan the attached QR code.
