Clark County Historical Society - Illinois

05/26/2026

05/22/2026

05/16/2026

On Tuesday, May 5th Carrie Cross presented Martinsville senior Hector Herrera with one of the $500 scholarships that have been given out this year to Clark County seniors.

05/16/2026

⏰It’s time! ⏰

Our Passport to History open house is happening now until 1 pm!

Stop by the Clark County Historical Museum (502 S 4th St, Marshall), the Chancellor House Museum (233 W Cumberland, Martinsville) or the Lincoln School Museum (7400 E 1500th, Martinsville) to pick up your passport. Visit all three museums today to be entered in a special prize drawing.

05/16/2026

🗺️✨ PASSPORT TO HISTORY IS COMING! ✨🗺️

🎉 AND we're celebrating our 60th Anniversary! 🎉

Pack your curiosity and hit the road — the Clark County Historical Society is inviting YOU on a one-of-a-kind self-guided adventure through local history! 🏡🌿

📅 Saturday, May 16, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Multiple sites across Clark County (Marshall & Martinsville)

This year is extra special — we're marking 60 years of preserving and sharing the stories that make Clark County unique! 🥳

What better way to celebrate than spending the day exploring the history we've worked so hard to protect!

Go at YOUR own pace as you travel between incredible historic destinations and collect stamps along the way! 🔖 Each stop tells a different story of the people and places that shaped Clark County into what it is today.

🏛️ Clark County Historical Museum — Your first must-see stop! Explore THREE incredible features all in one place:

🪵 The newly restored Baggs Log Cabin — a window into early settler life
🏠 The Manly-McCann House — history with a story to tell
ℹ️ A Visitors Center to get you oriented and ready for the day!

🏡 Chancellor House — A Martinsville gem steeped in history.

🍎 Lincoln School Museum — Where education met the frontier spirit.

Whether you're a lifelong local or just falling in love with this corner of Illinois, this is the perfect day to slow down, explore, and connect with the stories that came before us. 🌾💛

🎟️ Grab your "passport," plan your route, and make a day of it! History is calling — will you answer?

Visit all three museums to be entered into a FUN prize drawing.

📣 TAG a history lover who needs to know about this! 👇

05/13/2026

📢📚👶 BIG NEWS FOR CLARK COUNTY FAMILIES! 👶📚📢

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is now available for ALL of Clark County! 🎉

📬✨ Imagine this…
A FREE book delivered to your child every month—right to your mailbox!

👶📖 Children under age 5 can receive:
📚 High-quality, age-appropriate books
💛 A love of reading from an early age
🎓 A strong start for kindergarten and beyond

💲 100% FREE for families

🙌 This amazing program is made possible thanks to:
💛 Gerald & Jean Forsythe (Marshall School District sponsor)
💛 Rural King Foundation (Clark County sponsor)
💛 Friends of the Marshall Public Library (program administrator)

📝 How to register:
💻 Online: www.imaginationlibrary.com

📱 Or scan the QR code on promotional materials

📍 Or sign up in person at:
• Marshall Public Library
• Casey Township Library
• West Union District Library
• Martinsville Public Library District

📦 Books will arrive monthly until your child turns 5

📚💛 A book in every child’s hands… a brighter future for our community.

05/12/2026

📣 Family Researcher Seeking Callahan Connections in Clark County!

We received this message from Mary Rodzewicz and wanted to share it with our community:

"I am looking for surviving family of the Daniel Callahan family who lived in White Oak, Marshall, and Martinsville going back to before 1865. Many of my family members are buried in St. Mary's Cemetery. I am hoping to organize a family reunion and have a family tree book with history tracing back to Cork, Ireland. Any information would be helpful!"

If you have Callahan family connections in Clark County — especially ties to White Oak, Marshall, or Martinsville — please reach out! 📬

👉 Message the Clark County Historical Society and we'll forward your information to Mary.

05/12/2026

FINAL WEEK - STOP BY TODAY!

🇺🇸✨ Experience the Document That Changed the World… ✨🇺🇸

Now on display at the Marshall Public Library — don’t miss Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy 📜

📅 Now through May 15
📍 Illinois Room
🎟️ FREE & open to the public!

Step into the story behind the words that shaped a nation—and inspired the world 🌎
Presented by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, this traveling exhibition explores:
📜 The power of the Declaration of Independence
⚖️ The idea that “all men are created equal”
✊ Its influence on:
• Civil Rights movements
• Women’s rights
• Global independence efforts

✨ Discover how one revolutionary document sparked movements for freedom and equality that still resonate nearly 250 years later

This is part of the America 250 🇺🇸 commemoration—and it’s right here in Marshall

📍 Stop by during regular library hours and experience it for yourself
💡 Perfect for families, students, history lovers, and lifelong learners
🇺🇸📜 History isn’t just something we read—it’s something we experience. Come see it up close.

05/12/2026

🇺🇸📚✨ Part of Chautauqua at the Crossroads & America 250! ✨📚🇺🇸

Discover the stories of the soldiers in your family tree during this special Brunch & Learn event hosted by the Marshall Public Library as part of our Chautauqua at the Crossroads celebration honoring America’s 250th Anniversary 🇺🇸

🪖 Answering the Call: From Enlistment to Pension
Military Research for Family Historians

👨‍🏫 Presented by Head Librarian & Genealogist
Jamie Poorman

📅 Thursday, June 18
⏰ 10:00 AM
📍 Marshall Public Library
612 Archer Avenue
Marshall, IL 62441

📞 217-826-2535

🔍 Learn how to research:
📜 Military service records
🎖️ Pension files
🪦 Veterans in your family tree
📚 Historical & genealogy resources available through the library

Whether your ancestor served in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World Wars, or beyond, this program will help you uncover the records and stories they left behind 🇺🇸

🥐☕ Brunch & Learn — light meal provided!

🚨 Registration required — seating is limited! 🚨

🔗 Register online:
https://tinyurl.com/MPLBrunchandlearn

📍 Or stop by the library during regular business hours to register in person

🇺🇸🧬 Honor their service. Discover their story. Preserve your family history.

05/05/2026

In 2025, the Clark County Historical Society established a scholarship and now offers a one-time $500 award to a graduating senior at each of the county's high schools.

Last night, our Secretary Jamie Poorman had the honor of presenting the 2026 scholarship at Marshall High School to Haylee Siverly. Congratulations, Haylee.

Stay tuned for info about the recipients at Martinsville and Casey.

Haylee Siverly accepts the Clark County Society Scholarship from Jamie Poorman.