ABOUT US
Historical Society
The Society was organized on January 23, 1961 by a group of local residents to systematically collect and preseve the county's historical materials.
Regular meetings are held on the fourth Monday of the month at 7:00pm at the History Center. The monthly meetings feature a variety of speakers and programs.
Research Library
​Mrs. Irene Black’s lifetime collection of local history and genealogy material was originally located in Bridgeport, Illinois, but in 2001 she donated the collection to the Historical Society. In 2016 it was relocated to Lawrenceville. During the period between its founding and the move, the Historical Society actively collected additional geographic, historic and biographic materials including family histories and vital records. After the move, the Richard Palmer Collection of local history, as well as over 15,000 individual obituaries, were added, as was an extensive collection of Civil War and other military research material. The new building located at 1100 Lexington Ave. Lawrenceville, Illinois was donated to the Society by Mrs. Julia Ladner to further the Society’s mission to ignite a passion for local history and family research in a dynamic new environment.
At the present the research library is open Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 9am -12pm and by appointment on weekends. Phone: 618-943-3870.
For limited genealogical queries contact: lawcohistsoc@gmail.com or call 618-943-3870.
History Center
The History Center is located at the corner of 12th and State Street (619 State Street) Lawrenceville, Il 62439. The white Indiana limestone-covered building, built in 1923 as the home for the First National Bank, and which today houses a museum, was presented to the Society in 2001. The massive Corinthian columns topped by hand-carved capitals at the entrance welcome all who enter.
Open By appointment
Phone: 908-208-2372 or 618-943-3970
Awards
Each year nominations are accepted by the Illinois State Historical Society for individuals or organizations that have furthered the collection, preservation, and/or interpretation of an aspect of Illinois history. The Lawrence County Historical Society is honored to have been nominated every year for their projects. Awards presented to the Society at the State Historical Society’s Annual Award luncheon include:
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2015 Superior Achievement Award for Best Website
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2015 Superior Achievement Award for Special Project
“George Bopp, a Fallen Officer”
2015 Certificate of Merit for Special Project
“Wedding Memories through the Ages”
2016 Superior Achievement Award for Special Project
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2016 Award of Merit for Special Preservation Project
"Collection and Preservation of Military Uniforms”
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2016 Certificate of Excellence for Special Project
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2016 Certificate of Excellence for a Publication
2017 Superior Achievement Award for Special Project
2018 Certificate of Excellence for Ongoing Periodical
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2018 Certificate of Excellence for Multimedia Production
“Friday the 13th Fire: The Day Bridgeport Burned”
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2018 Certificate of Excellence for a Publication
“The Oil Belt Railroad: A little Railroad Saga”
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2018 Certificate of Excellence for an Exhibit
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