Laced and Layered : The History of Lingerie 1850–1950 Presented by the Lawrence County Historical Society Lawrenceville, Illinois — The Lawrence County Historical Society invites the public to slip into something historically comfortable with “Layered and Laced: The History of Lingerie 1850–1950.” This lively program will be held Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the History Center on the Square in Lawrenceville. This event marks the third installment in the Society’s

The Lawrence County Illinois Historical Society proudly announces the TV premiere of its documentary, "An Eagle on his Button." This film highlights the remarkable stories of African Americans from Lawrence County who served in the Civil War. Tune in to WVUT-22 PBS on SATURDAY February 28, 2026 at 6:00 pm Illinois time (7:00 pm Indiana time) to watch this important local history event. Today we conclude our stories about the Tornado that devastated the Pinkstaff area seventy

The Lawrence County Illinois Historical Society proudly announces the TV premiere of its documentary, "An Eagle on his Button." This film highlights the remarkable stories of African Americans from Lawrence County who served in the Civil War. Tune in to WVUT-22 PBS on SATURDAY February 28, 2026 at 6:00 pm Illinois time (7:00 pm Indiana time) to watch this important local history event. We continue our stories about the Tornado that devastated the Pinkstaff area seventy years

We continue our stories about the Tornado that devastated the Pinkstaff area seventy years ago on February 25, 1956. The tornado then began its destructive work in the town of Pinkstaff. Willis Siefert, 43-year-old Pinkstaff resident at the time, narrowly escaped being killed when the high winds drove a six-foot piece of two by four lumber through his bedroom wall, like a huge spear, barely missing the bed where he was asleep. Mr. Seifert had just cashed his weekly paycheck

We continue our stories about the Tornado that devastated the Pinkstaff area seventy years ago on February 25, 1956. (Please refer to the map of locations published Monday February 23 to follow the path of destruction.) As remembered by 94 year old Doris Gosnell. On February 25 th, 1956, Edgar and Doris Gosnell along with their two daughters, five year old Claire Ann and two year old Vonda were living in the old Gosnell homeplace. Their new home was being built right ne

Seventy years ago February 25 marks the anniversary of the Pinkstaff Tornado. This week we will share some first- hand accounts from residents who lived through that awful night. Early on Saturday, February 25, 1956, a tornado developed when a cold front met an unusually warm air current coming from the Gulf of Mexico. In Lawrenceville, the barometer read 29 inches at midnight Friday, following a gradual decline throughout the day. At that time, the temperature was 62°F. The

Two great things happening today Plan to attend the program “The Little Town with a Big Heart” on February 21, 2026, at 1:30pm at at Sumner’s new City Hall, 224 S. Christy Ave. Free admittance and refreshment courtesy of the city of Sumner. Presentation by George Zwilling. AND The Lawrence County Illinois Historical Society proudly announces the TV premiere of its documentary, "An Eagle on his Button." This film highlights the remarkable stories of African Americans fro

Plan to attend the program “The Little Town with a Big Heart” on February 21, 2026, at 1:30pm at at Sumner’s new City Hall, 224 S. Christy Ave. Free admittance and refreshment courtesy of the city of Sumner. Presentation by George Zwilling. CORRECTION The Lawrence County Illinois Historical Society proudly announces the TV premiere of its documentary, "An Eagle on his Button." This film highlights the remarkable stories of African Americans from Lawrence County who serve

Plan to attend the program “The Little Town with a Big Heart” on February 21, 2026, at 1:30pm at at Sumner’s new City Hall, 224 S. Christy Ave. Free admittance and refreshment courtesy of the city of Sumner. Presentation by George Zwilling. The Lawrence County Illinois Historical Society proudly announces the TV premiere of its documentary, "An Eagle on his Button." This film highlights the remarkable stories of African Americans from Lawrence County who served in the Ci

Plan to attend the program “The Little Town with a Big Heart” on February 21, 2026, at 1:30pm at at Sumner’s new City Hall, 224 S. Christy Ave. Free admittance and refreshment courtesy of the city of Sumner. Presentation by George Zwilling. Black churches in Lawrence County, Illinois formed the spiritual and social backbone of the county’s early African American communities. Congregations such as the AME churches provided far more than Sunday worship—they were places wher