

H G Fink Manufacturing
Don't forget to register for Thursday morning's opening program (November 6 10:00 at the History Center) featuring 'Stories from the Wardrobe: The Dresses and the Ladies who Wore Them', by Curator, Nancy King. Admission $10 Goodie bags will be provided. Seating is limited to 25 people. Reservations required and can be made by calling 908-208-2372. An article was published in the annual report of Chief of Engineers of the U.S. Army to the Secretary of War for the yea r 1893

Lawrence Lore
Nov 4, 20252 min read
The Last Spark of Life
Don't forget to register for Thursday morning's opening program (November 6 10:00 at the History Center) featuring 'Stories from the Wardrobe: The Dresses and the Ladies who Wore Them', by Curator, Nancy King. Admission $10 Goodie bags will be provided. Seating is limited to 25 people. Reservations required and can be made by calling 908-208-2372. October 29 1880 JE Black carried off a great many prizes at the Vincennes Fair including the first premium on ewe and lamb cla

Lawrence Lore
Nov 3, 20254 min read


Peaches and the Depression
During the depression times were hard for the people of Lawrence County. In August 1931, the Lawrence County News noted that peaches used to sell for $3 to $5 a bushel but were then selling for 50 cents to $1.50 a bushel and the local orchardists were facing a financial loss. Three railroad cars of peaches were shipped from the Van Syoc Orchard near Sumner but most of the orchardists were delivering the fruit by way of the highways using trucks for the larger shipments and

Lawrence Lore
Oct 31, 20252 min read
Elizabeth Schulmacher Stoll
Page 5 of The Lawrence County News, published in Lawrenceville, Illinois on Wednesday, February 16th, 1921 (An interesting obituary relating the difficulties faced by immigrants moving to the Midwest before the Civil War follows.) Elizabeth Schuhmacher was born in Waldhauser, Wurttemberg, Germany on January 13th 1838; Died at the home of her son in Lawrenceville February 11, 1921, at the age of 83 years and 29 days. Left fatherless at an early age with her mother and two yo

Lawrence Lore
Oct 30, 20253 min read


Chicago Jazz and the Melrose Brothers
Jazz is an American musical style originating from spirituals, blues, and ragtime traditions. Its development began in the early twentieth century in New Orleans. Prominent musicians such as Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton gained recognition by performing in Chicago nightclubs, leading to the emergence of a distinct Chicago jazz style. Three brothers from Sumner were very involved in the Chicago Jazz and Blues scene in the 1920s and 1930s. Walter, Lester and Frank Melro

Lawrence Lore
Oct 29, 20253 min read


Newest Acquisition
Oak Eastlake Story & Clark Chicago Pump/Reed Organ Signed by the maker, "Story and Clark of Chicago" this solid oak pump or reed organ dates from the late Victorian or Eastlake period. The local donors stated its provenance is 1891 and it belonged to a family here in Lawrenceville. The chip carving, sometimes called spoon carving, is characteristic of the period. The original finish is in good condition. The beveled mirror is original. The porcelain stops that control th

Lawrence Lore
Oct 28, 20251 min read
No LCHS Meeting Tonight
Because of the Open House of the newest exhibit-- Ladies of Lawrence: a Century of Fashion 1850-1950 held on October 18, there will be no montly meeting tonight at the History Center. Don't forget to register for our first of three special Programs featuring Stories from the Wardrobe: The Dresses and the Ladies who Worn Them November 6 2025 10-11 at the History Center Lawrenceville on the Square. Cost is $10; Space is limited to 25. For reservations call 908-208-2372.

Lawrence Lore
Oct 27, 20251 min read


Conserving the Dolls
TOUSSAINT DUBOIS DAR USES GRANT TO CONSERVE DOLL COLLECTION FOR AMERICA250 PROJECT In the fall of 2025, the Toussaint DuBois DAR Daughters received an Illinois State DAR Grant to restore and conserve a historical doll collection on exhibit belonging to the Lawrence County Historical Society. One of only a few complete collections in the US, these Kimcraft Company dolls date from 1940s -1980s and were handmade by Aileen McKim, a professional doll designer in Independence, Miss

Lawrence Lore
Oct 25, 20251 min read


New Program November 6
The Lawrence County Historical Society’s newest exhibit Ladies of Lawrence: A Century of Fashion, opened October 18, 2025, and will be open for the public on Sunday afternoons 1-4 pm at the History Center on the Square Lawrenceville Illinois. The exhibit showcases 30 dresses from the 1850s-1950s as well as hats, accessories, and lingerie all worn by local women. A series of three programs about vintage clothes and fashion will be presented on the first Thursday of November,

Lawrence Lore
Oct 24, 20251 min read


Maxwell's Building
The A L Maxwell Company was one of the oldest automobile firms in the County. It was organized about 1910 as The A L Maxwell Motor Car...

Lawrence Lore
Oct 23, 20252 min read

