Speaker Series
Madison County Historical Society
Speakers Series
About the MCHS Speakers Series
The Madison County Historical Society’s Speaker Series entertains and educates hundreds of area residents each year on topics that explore local or state history. MCHS presents four programs annually, all free and open to the public. Please note that all seating is granted in order of arrival. Come early or stay late and browse our book sale. All proceeds benefit MCHS.
If you have a topic you would like to present, please contact info@madcohistory.org.
Opening Doors to
Madison County History:
Our Speaker Series
Connect with history at our seasonal lecture series. Learn about local lore, genealogy, and other historical topics from historians, authors, and preservation experts. Each presentation offers a fascinating window into the story of Madison County history.
Whether you are a lifelong history buff, a curious neighbor, or a student eager to learn, our events offer an engaging space to listen, ask questions, and discover how the past continues to shape our world today.
- Free Event
- Open to the Pubic
- Handicap Accessible
- Every Second Sunday in February, April, June, and August
- All Lectures Begin at 2pm
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Location: Main Street Community Center
1003 N. Main St., Edwardsville, IL
COMING SOON- 2027 Speakers Series Programs and Presenters
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Interested in sponsoring the 2027 MCHS Speakers Series? Contact Cindy Reinhardt at cindy.reinhardt@madcohistory.org or 618-656-1294.
Speakers Series Online
Watch selected presentations at your convenience.
Speakers Series video coming soon
THE SEARCH FOR
FORT RUSSELL
For nearly a decade, presenter Don Cook has been focused on finding the location of the fort which disappeared from the landscape nearly 200 years ago. People have been searching for it and drawing various conclusions for half as long as it's been gone. Join Cook on his search for Fort Russell.
FIRST DO NO HARM:
An Introduction to
Cemetery Preservation
An examination by Jeff Pauk of some of the laws and regulations related to historic cemetery preservation.
SUNDOWN TOWNS IN MADISON COUNTY
Dr. Bryan Jack examines "Sundown Towns," places that were considered dangerous to African-Americans, and looks at the factors that created them.
Please note that due to the subject matter, this video may display images and archival materials with objectionable or offensive language or content. The nature of historic materials and artifacts from other time periods is such that some material may represent outdated language, biases, and stereotypes that are not consistent with the principles of MCHS.
IN OUR OWN BACKYARD:
The SIUE Excavation
of the Gehring Site
Dr. Julie Zimmerman describes efforts by Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville to learn more about native-Americans from the Middle Woodland Period in their excavations of the Gehring site on their campus.
FROM MODEL VILLAGE TO MODERN VILLAGE
Presenter Bob Gill tells the story of the village of Leclaire in Illinois, one of the most successful attempts at cooperative living in America.
ITALIAN IMMIGRATION TO MADISON COUNTY
An overview of Italian immigration to the United States and a look at some of the local families who have helped shape our culture.
THE LYNCHING OF
ROBERT PRAGER:
A World War I Hate Crime
for Uncle Sam
Author Peter Stehman discusses the tragic hanging of a German immigrant in Collinsville, IL duringthe hyper-patriotic period of the First World War.
RESEARCHING PIN OAK COLONY: A Colony of Free Blacks Who Lived at Pin Oak before the Civil War
Historian J. Eric Robinson has ancestors from Pin Oak Township east of Edwardsville. In this program he talks about the colony of Free Blacks who lived at Pin Oak before the Civil War and describes the difficulties encountered when researching Free Black Communities.
View a list of
our past programs
The Speaker Series program began in 2013. View a list of the interesting topics and presenters brought to you by MCHS.
Info Links
Events
