Category: WCHS

The Williamson County Historical Society at 105 S. Van Buren Street in Marion held its quarterly membership meeting on Sunday, April 21, 2024. President, Sam Lattuca updated the members on its membership levels, visitation to the museum/library and state of the building. He updated everyone on past programs that had been given by the museum and visitors who had recently toured the museum. He also brought them up to date on upcoming tours and events that are scheduled. Recent accessions and photos donated to the museum were reviewed.

The program for the meeting was “Revolutionary Soldiers of Williamson County” and was given by Leann Johnson. The program focused on John Ellis, a local revolutionary war veteran and man of color who made his home in New Dennison, Illinois southeast of Marion.

The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9:30 to 3:00 P.M. and is open to the public.

Thirteen members of the group Forever Learning visited the historical society museum/library on Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024. The group is mostly a group of retired folks who seek to keep expanding their knowledge of the world. The group was divided into two tour groups and were guided by Sharon Vansaghi and Sam Lattuca.

CEMETERY PRESERVATION WORKSHOP
June 29, 2024 – 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sponsored by the
Williamson County Historical Society
Instructors:
Dawn Cobb, Illinois Department of Natural Resources and
John & Geni Heider, Restoration in Progress (R.I.P)

A group called “Learning in Retirement” from Carbondale, Illinois toured the Williamson County Musuem on Thursday, March 28, 2024. The group is as it sounds, a group of retired individuals looking to explore new areas of learning. The group was guided through the museum by guide and current society president, Sam Lattuca.

Society president, Sam Lattuca, gave a talk to residents of the Fifth Season assisted living facility in Marion on Wednesday, March 20^th 2024. Lattuca gave a program about the presence and history of Native Americans in Southern Illinois through time by showing a short video and presenting the evolution of natives over the years.

The Williamson County Historical Society will be returning to its schedule of four days a week beginning on Wednesday, March 6^th. The museum and library located at 105 S. Van Buren St. in Marion will be available during the hours of 9:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Wednesday through Saturday for tours of the museum or genealogical research.

The museum is located at 105 S. Van Buren Street in the old county jail on the west side of the Marion Civic Center and was in service as a jail from 1913 till 1972. The building doubled as a sheriff’s home and jail and now consists of four floors and 26 rooms full of historical objects. Since 1976, the building has served as the Williamson County Museum and was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 2007, one of only five in the county.

Sam Lattuca, president of the Williamson County Historical Society gave a program to the residents of Fifth Season Assisted Living in Marion on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Lattuca addressed the residents and explained the formation of Marion, Williamson County and the historical society. He explained the society’s museum and library and what was available at the museum as far as displays and research materials.

The Williamson County Historical Society held its latest membership meeting on January 28^th, 2024 at their museum/library at 105 S. Van Buren St.  Society President, Sam Lattuca, presented the state of the museum as well as displaying their latest items and photos accessioned into the museum, discussed ongoing projects and gave a brief presentation on the use of Sanborn Fire Insurance maps as a resource in studying the history of our local towns.

A Christmas lunch for the historical society staff was held on December 14^th, 2023 at the Asian Star restaurant in Marion. The lunch was a thank you and late year get together for the board members and active volunteers that serve the historical society. Those present from L-R are Leeann Johnson, Charla Murphy, Sharon Vansaghi, Lisa and Andrew McRoy, Michael Spinks, Sam Lattuca, George Mavigliano and Helen Lind. Not shown are Debbie Lattuca, taking the picture and Gloria Spinks who arrived later.

Our museum and library has recently switched over to our winter hours of operation. We will only be open to the public on Saturdays from 9:30 till 3:00 P.M. until the first of March next year when we go back to our regular hours of operation.

I you are doing research and need assisistance, you may contact us by email at wchsmail@yahoo.com or call and leave a message at 618-997-5863,