Thirteen Cub Scouts and their parents toured the Williamson County Museum on Saturday morning, October 25, 2104. The scouts were given a special tour conducted by WCHS President Bob Jackson. Bob is a retired Marion art teacher and has served as President for the society since 2007. Cub Scout Pack 21 is from Marion.
Held the same day was the absolute final Herrin Massacre tour which brought 15 more visitors to the museum to wander around and look at the exhibits and artifacts.
WCHS Quarterly Editor, Helen Lind, has mailed the Fall 2014 “Footprints” quarterly out to all registered WCHS members. This issue includes Part One of the Brice Holland trip diary to the Black Hill’s in 1877, news clippings from 1914, a civil war timeline, early Williamson County criminal records, an index to McAlpin Cemetery and an article about an antique quilt that was recently donated to the museum which was put together by members of the I.O.O.F and Rebecca Lodge of Marion.
If you are a member and do not receive your quarterly in the next few days, you should contact Helen at helenlind39@yahoo.com
At an October 9th, 2014, meeting of the Williamson County Historical Society held at the museum, the following officer and directors were slated to become effective on January 1, 2015:
Discussion was also held on new grant applications by the organization related to a potential upcoming event and also the installation of multimedia displays for use at the museum to enrich the historical experience of the museum and aid older or infirmed guests who can’t navigate the many steep staircases.
Discussion was also held on how often the museum should be open through the winter months due to the costs of heating.
Local Cub Scout Pack 42 accompanied by parents and pack leader Steve Jordan got an after hours tour of the county museum on September 23rd, 2014. Thirteen scouts were given a tour of the museum by long time Williamson County Historical Society President Bob Jackson.
The pack was made aware of jail conditions in older times, military actions that affected the county over time, pioneer furniture and tools and explanations of artifacts of the counties past.
Another scout troop is scheduled to tour the museum in October.
Baysinger Architects, located at 401 North Market Street in Marion, Illinois hosted an Elvis and Octoberfest Chamber after hours and open house on Thursday, October 2, 2014 from 2:00 P.M till 6:00 P.M. The event was attended by many local citizens, business owners, chamber members and school officials.
Among the entertainment was a strolling Elvis tribute artist named Rick Ital who made himself available for photos with the guests. Those attending also got to be amazed by a magician doing tricks and snack on Elvis sliders provided by Johnny B’s Biblegrove BBQ’s as well as sample product from the Grand River Spirits Scratch Brewery. Hilary Lehew was present and served as a representative for the HUB promoting Marion’s newest recreation center project.
The visitors also got to learn a little about Marion’s past with a presentation put on by the Williamson County Historical Society who created a display of old and new photos of downtown positioned on large downtown maps. Over 70 photos were on display for the event which included a 20 x 30 aerial view of downtown taken in the summer of 1963 and a panorama of the square from 1910. The display was organized by WCHS museum coordinator Sharon Vansaghi and director Sam Lattuca.
