The Randolph County Historical Society of Illinois
from the book 'More Than Eight Sides To The Story'
by Mary Helen Cissell
(From the minutes of the Randolph County Historical Society and from the notes of Mrs. Emily Lyons, former Society secretary)
There might no longer be a Charter Oak School, Creole House and other sites and artifacts throughout our county without the hard work and dedication of the members of the Randolph County Historical Society. While currently responsible for the continuing preservation and maintenance of the Charter Oak School and the Creole House, over the years the Society has played a role in the preservation of many sites. Lovers of history owe yesterday and today's RCHS members a great debt.
On September 28, 1953 a meeting was held at the Sparta Public Library to consider the organization of a Randolph County Historical Society. Mrs. Carlos Hanson was elected temporary chairman, Mrs. Bess Brown vice-president, and Miss Hortense Hood, secretary. They decided to contact people in other Randolph County towns to have a representative group at the next meeting.
At the next meeting in the Dreamland Cafe in Sparta, thirty-one interested people from around the county were present. A motion was made and carried to form the historical society.
One of the first projects of the fledgling Society was to erect a marker on the intersection of Bluff Road and St. Leo's Road pointing to the location of Dr. Fisher's grave. Dr. Fisher was an early 1800's physician who also served as a county sheriff and was in the state legislature.
By 1955 some other early restoration/preservation projects under way were the Shiloh Hill School, Little Mary's Covered Bridge near Chester, and the Pierre Menard House between Chester and Ellis Grove. The Society persisted in its efforts to call attention and to preserve the historical treasures of the county. In 1958, through the work of the Society, the Illinois State Legislature designated the Pierre Menard Home as a state historical site and appropriated $90,000 to the restoration of this deteriorating historical landmark of circa 1802. Since its restoration in 1958, the Pierre Menard Home has received thousands of visitors from all over the United States and the world.
The next year efforts turned to the purchase of the old Charter Oak School at Schuline and later the 18th Century Creole House in Prairie du Rocher. The Society has restored and continues to maintain both sites. Both are listed with the National Trust of Historic Places.
It is solely through the efforts of the Randolph County Historical Society that these wonderful historic sites are maintained for the public to enjoy today and tomorrow. No state or federal funds are appropriated for the maintenance of these historic sites. How does this relatively small organization of volunteers manage such a great feat? Though donations, of course, but also through hard work! Much of the labor and materials that go into restoration projects are donated by members and friends. And the Society has created successful fund raising events such as the annual Corn Fest at Charter Oak School in August and the Apple Fete at the Creole House in Prairie du Rocher in September. These popular events are used to showcase the sites and to raise funds. Randolph County
Historical Society members are also participants at the annual Fort de Chartres Rendezvous near Prairie du Rocher in June where they raise money by selling home baked goods and demonstrating the use of the 18th century beehive oven at that historic site.
The Society was incorporated in 1959 and remains an active unit of volunteers in the county. They continue to promote tourism through awareness of our historical sites and strive to preserve the historical structures, artifacts and areas of Randolph County, which is “Where Illinois began.”
New members are always welcome.
There might no longer be a Charter Oak School, Creole House and other sites and artifacts throughout our county without the hard work and dedication of the members of the Randolph County Historical Society. While currently responsible for the continuing preservation and maintenance of the Charter Oak School and the Creole House, over the years the Society has played a role in the preservation of many sites. Lovers of history owe yesterday and today's RCHS members a great debt.
On September 28, 1953 a meeting was held at the Sparta Public Library to consider the organization of a Randolph County Historical Society. Mrs. Carlos Hanson was elected temporary chairman, Mrs. Bess Brown vice-president, and Miss Hortense Hood, secretary. They decided to contact people in other Randolph County towns to have a representative group at the next meeting.
At the next meeting in the Dreamland Cafe in Sparta, thirty-one interested people from around the county were present. A motion was made and carried to form the historical society.
One of the first projects of the fledgling Society was to erect a marker on the intersection of Bluff Road and St. Leo's Road pointing to the location of Dr. Fisher's grave. Dr. Fisher was an early 1800's physician who also served as a county sheriff and was in the state legislature.
By 1955 some other early restoration/preservation projects under way were the Shiloh Hill School, Little Mary's Covered Bridge near Chester, and the Pierre Menard House between Chester and Ellis Grove. The Society persisted in its efforts to call attention and to preserve the historical treasures of the county. In 1958, through the work of the Society, the Illinois State Legislature designated the Pierre Menard Home as a state historical site and appropriated $90,000 to the restoration of this deteriorating historical landmark of circa 1802. Since its restoration in 1958, the Pierre Menard Home has received thousands of visitors from all over the United States and the world.
The next year efforts turned to the purchase of the old Charter Oak School at Schuline and later the 18th Century Creole House in Prairie du Rocher. The Society has restored and continues to maintain both sites. Both are listed with the National Trust of Historic Places.
It is solely through the efforts of the Randolph County Historical Society that these wonderful historic sites are maintained for the public to enjoy today and tomorrow. No state or federal funds are appropriated for the maintenance of these historic sites. How does this relatively small organization of volunteers manage such a great feat? Though donations, of course, but also through hard work! Much of the labor and materials that go into restoration projects are donated by members and friends. And the Society has created successful fund raising events such as the annual Corn Fest at Charter Oak School in August and the Apple Fete at the Creole House in Prairie du Rocher in September. These popular events are used to showcase the sites and to raise funds. Randolph County
Historical Society members are also participants at the annual Fort de Chartres Rendezvous near Prairie du Rocher in June where they raise money by selling home baked goods and demonstrating the use of the 18th century beehive oven at that historic site.
The Society was incorporated in 1959 and remains an active unit of volunteers in the county. They continue to promote tourism through awareness of our historical sites and strive to preserve the historical structures, artifacts and areas of Randolph County, which is “Where Illinois began.”
New members are always welcome.
