P.O. Box 255 Elkhart, June 17 POTTING CLASS BY Connie Burgett (Connie's Greenhouse in Latham) 10 am at The Country Bumpkin Shop, in their newly opened garden area. Cost $30 which includes everything but your planter.  WATERCOLOR CLASS at 10a, and ACRYLIC CLASS at 1p by Reneé Sisk, In Horsefeathers at a cost of $30 per session.   VINTAGE COLLAGE CLASSES at 10a and 1p, for $20, in Birdsong Books & Vintage.        A Crafter’s lunch is offered at the Wild Hare café’ for $10, between the sessions.  Please call 217 947 2238 to hold your space, reservation forms  or payments can be received at any of the shops listed above, and more information / forms are available by clicking below: RESERVATION (word format)  <-- click here RESERVATION (pdf format)  <-- click here Paul Beaver will present “From Swamp to Field”  Friday June 23, 2017       The Elkhart Historical Society is pleased to announce the return of Paul Beaver to its Dinner Lecture circuit.  Mr. Beaver will present “From Swamp to Field”, on Friday June 23, 2017,  a fascinating discussion of the methods used by the Scully family in the late 1800’s to drain the wetlands in Logan County, which turned what was unusable land into some of the richest most-productive farm ground in the world.  Beaver is no stranger to this subject, having written his master’s thesis about the extensive Scully land holdings, and then in 2003, authoring a book on the topic. His love of history lead to a career of teaching, though officially retired he was honored by Lincoln College as it’s very first Professor Emeritus.   A well respected Lincoln scholar, Paul has participated in many events, committees, discussions and speeches throughout the United States. In 2002 he oversaw the production of “Abraham Lincoln in Logan County” a video filmed in Logan County. Truly a Logan County man from birth through a productive and generous life, Paul’s ability to hold an audience is legendary.   The probability that this lecture will sell out quickly urges a quick response from all that are interested.  Please call 2217 947 2238 to reserve you seat, and once confirmed, please download one of these two forms for your dinner preferences: RESERVATION/DINNER FORM (word format) <-- click here RESERVATION/DINNER FORM (pfd format)  <-- click here   Horsefeather’s Wild Hare Café in Elkhart will provide the dinner of Beef Bourguinon or Baked encrusted Chicken Breast, both served with herbed mashed potatoes, green beans, carrots and freshly baked rolls/butter fruit crisp or ice cream for dessert.  The door open at 5 pm, the cost is $40 per person, which includes the meal, tax and tip, plus $10 for the Elkhart Historical Society.

Midwest Living Review by Karen Sorensen   Thanks to a geographic anomaly created during the Ice Age, Elkhart Hill becomes a stunning sea of bluebells every spring that visitors can tour on just two or three Saturdays in April g AND - dine at WildhareCafe  ______________________________________ www.explorelogancounty.com Now on facebook  -->  ElkhartIllinois   Past Events  2017        2016         2015           2014           2013         2012 ____________________________________________________

www.oldgillettfarm.org/ John D. Gillett, whom the London Gazette dubbed “The Cattle King of the World”. Gillett and his grandson Hiram Keays won numerous awards at the Chicago livestock show. For many years in the late 1800's the town of Elkhart was one of the largest shipping points on the C&A (Chicago & Alton) Railroad, due to the large stock raising farms of John Dean Gillett. Noted for importing Durham cattle from Scotland and developing the Shorthorn cattle breed, Gillett shipped over 2,000 head of cattle and 1,000 head of hogs to Europe annually. for much more information, go to -->  http://www.oldgillettfarm.org/history.shtml

 

P O Box 255, Elkhart, IL  62634

 

Dear Members & Friends,

      

Elkhart Historical Society 2016

 

Dear EHS Members and Friends

 

As 2016 draws to a close, the Elkhart Historical Society looks back on another year of unique opportunities to discover more about our village and its surrounding area. The support of interested people is the foundation upon which all successful organizations are built, and it is with our deepest gratitude that we thank all who have done so much to make this a notable year.

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One of our most enjoyable events continue to be our dinner lectures held at the Wild Hare Cafe. Last winter’s dinner lectures included speakers such as Mark McDonald, Dr. Michael Burlingame and Robert Shaw, Paul Beaver, Nancy Torgerson, and Pam Moriearty. This fall’s speakers are Nancy Saul and Dr. Karl Luthin. We welcome suggestions for future topics. Ideas can be sent to amorris2304@gmail.com.

 

The EHS Annual Christmas Chapel Service on Elkhart Hill has become a traditional way of starting the Christmas season for many families and continues to draw people from a variety of cities in central Illinois. Our candlelight service for 2016 is scheduled for Saturday, December 3 with 4 services at 2:00, 4:00, 5:30, and 8:00 p.m. We are thrilled to announce that due to the generosity of our “Organ Donors” of 2015, who helped to defray the expense of the repair and refurbishing of the historic organ, you may look forward to once again enjoying the sound of this wonderful instrument. To reserve your seat and/or dinner, call 217-947-2238, starting November 7 when tickets go on sale.  The reservation form is included for your convenience.

 

In September, Art and Music on the Prairie was introduced as a new event for the Elkhart community with food, drinks, and music provided at each of our three gift shops: Horsefeathers, Country Bumpkin, and Birdsong. The original art from four different artists was displayed for sale throughout the three shops. The artists who participated were Felicia Olin, Sheri Ramsey, Catherine Coats-Flynn, and Leticia Marseille. Later in the evening, the musicians, including Jean Tweet, Megan Forness, Tim Gleason, and Ken Reese entertained in the streets of the village. It was an outstanding success!

As we continue to channel funds into our ongoing project to create a future for the Hunter House property, we have once again ensured that the property is well cared for and have put a protective layer of paint on the wood trim of the home and have replaced the roof on the garage.

 

The 2017 Membership dues will continue to add much needed funds for the projects and programs we offer, and remind us how important you are to the continued success of the society.  This year’s calendar will feature the photography of well-known photo journalist Nancy Saul, whose various Logan County pictures will be our second full color calendar. 

Calendars are free with each renewing or new member, and can be ordered on the enclosed form, or can be purchased for $15.  They should be available by December 1^st at either the Country Bumpkin 103 Gov. Oglesby St. in Elkhart, or Horsefeathers located directly across the street.

 

As we approach winter and all the weather it will bring, we look forward to next spring’s Flower and Bird Walks that begin in April. Please check our website for the dates for these walks. We are wishing everyone a blessed Holiday Season.

Elkhart Historical Society Board

Ann Anderson        Gillette Ransom         Michael and Anne Morris

Bob and Bev Albert            Joyce and Bill Evans