You are cordially invited to attend the History Museum of Monroe County’s Annual Spring Gala! You can expect a lovely evening with live music and a delicious buffet dinner, as well as silent and live auctions. Please join us to celebrate our county’s history and heritage, as our community works together to preserve it for future generations.
“Public Archaeology: One Volunteer’s Perspective” by Sedona Kolmer, a senior at Waterloo High School. Sedona will be sharing experiences from her twelve years of volunteering in archaeology as well as the opportunities and rewards her investment of time has provided. She plans to attend college and continue in the field to discover where archaeology will be take her in the future. Her program will be held in the Monroe County History Museum’s Allscheid-Metzger Gallery located at 724 Elaine Drive, Waterloo, IL 62298.
“Antique Bottle Archeology” by Norm Kirleis. Our presenter will be sharing how bottles are made, tips on collecting and how to date and determine the value of a bottle find. He will also be sharing histories of soda and beer companies from our area. Norm Kirleis has been collecting bottles for several years and has an exhibit at the History Museum. He will be available to answer questions on his collection after the program. Join us in the Monroe County History Museum’s Allscheid-Metzger Gallery located at 724 Elaine Drive, Waterloo, IL 62298.
A Desperate and Doubtful Battle”: The American Fight for Women’s Suffrage” by Lindsay Fickas. The women of the American Suffrage Movement were smart, persistent, and tactical! This presentation will focus on the Suffrage leaders, their beliefs, their publications, and their various methods of protest including marches and jail stays. It will also look at the arguments many used against Suffrage. Using cartoons, journals, and photographs, the presentation will demonstrate the savvy used to win women the right to vote! Lindsay Fickas recently received her Master’s degree in History and is a member of the Monroe County History Museum Board. The program will be held in the Monroe County History Museum’s Allscheid-Metzger Gallery located at 724 Elaine Drive, Waterloo, IL 62298.
“Songs for Soldiers” by Dustin Row. Join us to hear from Dustin how and why Songs4Soldiers was born and how this yearly event assists combat veterans in need! Dustin graduated from Columbia High School, served in the U. S. Army and was stationed in Iraq from 2004-2005, with the 724th Transportation Unit of Bartonville, Illinois. While serving in Iraq, his unit’s mission was to escort fuel convoys between Baghdad and the Anbar province in Western Iraq. On April 9, 2004, his unit came under enemy fire during an ongoing offensive between the U.S. Army and Shiite militiamen of the Mahdi Army. Dustin’s program will be held in the Monroe County History Museum’s Allscheid-Metzger Gallery located at 724 Elaine Drive, Waterloo, IL 62298.
“Finding Local Historical Sites with Dowsing” by Dylane Doerr. The art of dowsing or witching is an old method used to locate water sources for wells. Dowsing is now being used to locate early underground structures such as burial grounds like Miles Cemetery and forts like the early Fort de Chartres and other forts in Monroe and Randolph County. Doerr is currently dowsing to learn more about the location of Moore’s Tannery and Mill on County Line Road in Waterloo. Join us to learn more about dowsing and historical finds. This program will be held in the Monroe County History Museum’s Allscheid-Metzger Gallery located at 724 Elaine Drive, Waterloo, IL 62298.
“Changes Come to Historic Maeystown…1989-2019” by David Braswell in the Monroe County History Museum’s Allscheid-Metzger Gallery. Driving around Maeystown it may seem that not much has changed over the years…and the locals like it that way. But restoration of many of the 1800’s historic buildings in the last thirty years has brought new life to the village in the form of tourism. Come see what has changed and what has not as we explore Maeystown thirty years later. The Museum is located at 724 Elaine Drive, Waterloo, IL 62298.
“You Don’t Have to Leave Monroe County to Find Greatness” by Mike Kish. Monroe County has an interesting geological and historical past! Why did the Territory and State of Illinois begin in our area? Without leaving Monroe County, you can spend a family day visiting historical sites, hiking, and finding your roots. A slide presentation and an itinerary will help you learn your past and plan your own trip if you like. Mike Kish, ICS Principal and tour director, has led his 8th graders on this trip for 14 years. Be prepared to laugh, learn, and love Monroe County! Join us in the Monroe County History Museum’s Allscheid-Metzger Gallery located at 724 Elaine Drive, Waterloo, IL 62298.
“1858 Steamboat Disaster in St. Louis” by Jan Wenk”. She will present a program on the race and subsequent disaster that involved the Ocean Spray Steamboat and the steamboat engineer, her ancestor. Jan Wenk, a genealogist with 30 years of experience, is the Monroe County Illinois Genealogical Society President. The program will be presented in the Monroe County History Museum’s Allscheid-Metzger Gallery located at 724 Elaine Drive, Waterloo, IL 62298.
“Night at the Museums – The Thunder and Lighting Cloggers of Southern IL” will make a return appearance to perform in the History Museum’s Allscheid-Metzger Gallery. More information TBA.
