During the Depression in Lawrence County, a drive was held to raise a sufficient sum of money to care for the needs of the deserving poor of Lawrenceville during the coming winter. People able to contribute to the fund responded very liberally, but the amount asked for had not yet been raised in the fall of 1931. Many of the merchants agreed to donate food and clothing in lieu of money subject to the order of Mrs. George Nunn, while others promised peaches and other fruit whe

Sumner Garage 1940s Rodrick's Ford Garage pictured above in the early 1940's was located on W South Avenue Sumner. It was operated by Everett and Harold Rodrick. The building having been remodeled was used by the Christy Fire Protection District Headquarters in 1995. Note the air pump located on the left and the 1935 or 1936 Ford far right.

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.   Early Teachers’ Association Teachers of the County formed an association as early as 1856 according to the American Banner,

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

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

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

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

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

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