What is special about the Courthouse Museum
By JANE RIES
A message from the Effingham County Museum's President, Delaine Donaldson
Celebrating Christmas 2023 at the Effingham County Museum
The Effingham County Museum invites the public to view the decorations newly put into place to celebrate the Christmas Season. On Saturday, December 2, the Museum will be open during its regular hours from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., then will be open later that afternoon as the FACE Orchestra and Singers present a special musical program at 6:15 p.m. on the second floor of the building.
There will be an Open House on Sunday December 3, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., the public will be able to see the work of the staff who made the various galleries beautiful with a wide variety of decorations, including the annual showing of the veterans’ tree honoring WWII era vets. The public is invited to join in the celebration
Later in the month, on Thursday, December 14 at 6:00 PM in the Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum, Historian, Tom Emery will speak about Illinois in the Civil War.
This award-winning program, which is appropriate for adult and young adult audiences, will give a general overview of the Civil War in Illinois. It will include such topics as leading Illinois generals and regiments, Civil War prisons in the state, divided North/South sentiments in Illinois, and highlights of Illinois troops in major battles. Home life in the state during the Civil War will also be covered as well as leading non-military figures like Mother Bickerdyke, and notable riots and unrest including the Charleston Riot and the Clingman Raid.
Tom Emery is a critically acclaimed freelance writer and historical researcher and was awarded a grant in 2007 to pursue The Illinois State Library Heritage Project. Prior to this project, Emery had compiled 13 book and booklet titles on an array of historical topics. He was valedictorian of the Blackburn College Class of 1993, with majors in business administration, accounting and economics and earned an MBA from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville in 1995.
As in the past the lecture series is sponsored by the Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum Association, Inc., an organization devoted to the preservation of the fascinating history of the county. The public is encouraged to attend to learn more about local history. There is no admission charge.
So--------Mark the following dates on your calendar to enjoy Future programming at the Museum:
December 2- FACE Orchestra Concert
December 3- Christmas open house
December 14-Illinois and the Civil War
Click the link below to download and read the latest news from the Effingham County Museum.
100 E. Jefferson Ave.,
Effingham, IL 62401
Daytime Hours:
(January-February)- By appointment only and some special evening hours, TBA
Phone: 217.240.2471 to leave a message
(March through December)
Tuesday and Saturday 10 a.m-2 p.m.
Evening Hours:
6:00-7:00 p.m. on night of lecture series, November-March
Other times by appointment: Call (217)240-2471 to leave a message
Board Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the court-house first floor courtroom. For information contact Delaine Donaldson, President at: delainedonaldson@mchsi.com.
General Membership Meetings are held once a month of the second Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at the court-house first floor courtroom.
MISSON STATEMENT
Our MISSION is to preserve our Historic Register structure, to collect artifacts from county history, and to use them to educate our local and external communities, while immersed in the broader context of American history.
VISION STATEMENT
Our VISION is that the 1872 Effingham County Courthouse remains as an architectural gem that instills a sense of community pride and provides a venue to
educate and showcase the history, art, and transportation of Effingham County.
On November 11, 2012, the Museum opened its doors to the public. Currently there are exhibits on the first floor and the second floor. On the second floor there is exhibit space as well as room for lectures and other types of public gatherings.
© 2015 Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum Association, Inc.