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