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About the Ford County Historical Society
In
the spring of 1968 Dr. W. G. Raudabaugh of Piper City, a member of the Ford County Board, asked Dr. W.
W. Sauer if he would attempt to form a county historical
society. Each member of the county board agreed to invite 30
people to a public meeting which was held at in the large court
room of the County court house. About 150 people from all parts
from the county attended and after an explanation of the aims of
such a society, Judge Howard Benjamin made the motion which was
passed unanimously to form The Ford County Historical Society.
Over the years bimonthly meetings have been held featuring
programs dealing with many areas of local and area history. Each
September a dinner meeting is held at which special program
material is presented.
In
addition to regular meetings the Society has honored county
students who have taken part in the special history projects.
The Society has reprinted into one volume the Historical Atlas
of 1884, 1904 and 1916 and reprinted The Prairie Farmers
Directory of Ford County for 1917. Using money given by the
children of Merna Vaught, the first
secretary of the Society, a slide presentation dealing with Ford
County history was produced and a copy given to each school in
the county. Several oral history tapes have been made and many
articles on local and county history have been published. An
archival file has grown over the years and contains much
material which has been given to the Society by the public.
The museum will be closed in Janauary and February.
Only scheduled opening is February 26 from 2-4 p.m. There will be a program that day at 2:30 on Illinois primary elections with a display of campaign buttons dating to the early 20th century. Museum can be opened any time for a tour by contacting 379-3723, 379-4111, or 379-3217.
President: Judy Jepsen-Popel
Vice President: Judy Ondercho
Secretary: Carol Thilmony
Treasurer:
Margaret Fiorillo
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2011 Meeting Schedule
Friday, November 18, 2011
Dannel McCollum, a former mayor of Champaign and popular speaker on history, will present "The Coming of the Illinois Central Railroad, the Champaign-Paxton Connection."
It will be held at the American Legion Building, 763 E. Pells St., Paxton beginning at 7 pm.
The meeting is free and the public is invited. For information call 217-379-4111.
Meetings
When: Bi-monthly meetings are held by
the society. They are held in March, May, July, September and November.
The annual dinner meeting is held in September.
Where: General meeting at the American Legion Building, 763 E. Pells (Rt. 9 East), Paxton.
Who: The meetings are open to the
public. Reservations are required for the dinner meetings for those who
wish to dine.
What: In addition to the business of the
society, speakers at the meetings presenting topics dealing with many
areas of local and area history.
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Contact
Information
Postal address:
The Ford County Historical
Society • P. O. Box 115 • Paxton, IL
60957
If you
are unable to find what you are looking for or see a problem, please
don’t hesitate to contact the webmaster.
If they are unable to assist you they will pass the request on to
the appropriate person.
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Copyright © 2011 by the Ford County Historical Society,
all rights reserved. |
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Publications
& Notes
Publications available
at the Museum
Notes |
