In 2017 Southern Illinois University at Carbondale archaeologists began excavations at Ft. Kaskaskia State Park for the first time in over 40 years. Over the past seven years we have discovered there are two Ft. Kaskaskias in the park, the one built by the French in the 1700s and a previously unknown American fort also named Ft. Kaskaskia. Learn more about this Fort in the very early 1800s and how this historic find is helping rewrite the early history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition!
Archaeologists from the University of Pennsylvania will discuss their on-going excavations at the Hawkins Hollow site, a 14th century Native American homestead located near Valmeyer. Learn about new discoveries from last year’s excavations, their upcoming Boy Scout Merit Badge Weekend Event, and the importance of rural communities protecting archaeological sites!
Flatboats were simple box-shaped wooden boats on the Ohio and Mississippi River from the 1770s to the late 1800s. The first example of these boats was discovered in 2000 on the Ohio River bank in southern Illinois in what is now Pulaski County, Illinois. The discovery, mapping of this boat and why it wrecked will be addressed as well as the history of river travel during this period of piracy and the many dangers faced by these early river travelers!
Mrs. Katherine O’Leary is not happy about being blamed for the Chicago Fire! She is back to set the record straight through this colorful musical melodrama of her life from her humble origins in Ireland in the 1800s and her trying years before, during and after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
A tongue and cheek review of the out buildings in Monroe and St. Clair counties – locations, design, color and anything else you ever wanted to know about “Outhouses”!
The Schrieber brothers will present first hand experiences and memories of growing up and working at H. Schrieber and Sons general store in Red Bud, IL in the 1960’s to 1985. The store opened in 1872, occupied the entire block on the northwest side of the town square intersection and closed in 1985. Many interesting and historical aspects of the store’s operation, workers and customers as well as whimsical anecdotes of their experiences will be shared. (Check out the History Museum’s “Schrieber General Store” in the “Kueker Gallery”!)
This program will cover Jesse James’s life from his service as a Confederate guerrilla to his postwar career as bank and train robber. He will answer questions such as: how many robberies did Jesse carry out and was Jesse really killed by Bob Ford? (Spoiler alert: he was.) He will also cover some of Jesse’s best-known imposters. In the last half of his talk Jim will discuss the more than fifty movies and television shows about Jesse starring actors ranging from Roy Rogers to Brad Pitt. Some of the movies were good, some were bad and some were worse. You be the judge!
The history of Peterstown Settlement, Emory Peter Rogers and the saving of a Waterloo landmark!
Our Monroe County 4-H Program Coordinator is inviting current and past Monroe County 4-H members to share their experiences in 4-H including types of clubs, leader roles and project opportunities. Speakers will compare the differences between how 4-H has changed over the decades and how things have stayed the same!
Why are they called “Corn Dollies? Where did they originate? What are the customs/purposes surrounding the weavings? Find the answers to these questions and more as we explore the history of the Corn Dollie! Many examples of the Corn Dollies and weavings will be presented for you to see!