<please click above for the 2022 MEMBERSHIP form> Note:  each membership comes with a free copy of our              2022 18-month calendar celebrating 34 years              of the Elkhart Historical Society & their              contributions to Elkhart.    <please click above for the survey form ...>  ... to let us know what you would like to see from The Elkhart Historical Society in the coming years.   Email: elkhart.hist.soc@gmail.com   Snail mail:  PO Box 255 Elkhart IL 62634   Drop off:  The Country Bumpkin 103 Governor Oglesby Elkhart IL 62634       Spring, Elkhart, IL. Wild Flowers & Bird Walks   .    http://www.wildharecafe-elk-il.com            Wildhare Cafe - Elkhart IL                Horsefeathers               http://www.Thecountrybumpkin1.com                the Country Bumpkin            Birdsong Books & Vintage The Elkhart Historical society needs your help! We are in search of ANY good pictures of past Historical society events taken in the last 34 years. These can include Wildflower Walks, Bird Walks, Dinner Lectures, Halloween, Chautauqua, festivals, homecoming hayrack rides, historical tours.   You can email Elkhart.hist.soc@gmail.com or bring in person to The Country Bumpkin located at 103 Governor Oglesby St Elkhart IL 62634, Wed-Sat 10a-3p and Sun 11-3 where they will be scanned and returned immediately. Questions ... you can call The Country Bumpkin at 217-947-2200 or email the above address.                          Elkhart Photos            Peter Scully (deceased) & daughter with Paul Beaver (deceased) Michael Scully's (now deceased) Oral History at Lincoln Presidential Library   2022 Elkhart Historical Society Calendar                    This year is our 32nd issue, and we have chosen to celebrate 34 years of the Elkhart Historical Society with an 18-month calendar. This calendar features photos from a majority of the programs and events, including preservation projects with which the Elkhart Historical Society has taken part since its founding in 1988.  This calendar is available at the Country Bumpkin in Elkhart, Illinois.  If you have already renewed your membership, you may stop by and pick up your free copy; and, if you have not renewed, or were considering becoming a member, you may do so: $25 for families, $20 for Senior Citizen families.  With your membership, you will receive a free calendar.  If you would like your calendar mailed to you, please include $2 for postage. Checks can be made payable to the Elkhart Historical Society,  PO Box 255   Elkhart, IL.   62634   -->  ElkhartIllinois   Current  &  Past  Events  [click on each year, below]   2022      2021      2020       2019         2018        2017        2016         2015           2014           2013         2012   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. ********* The Real Estate Empire of the John Dean Gillett Family of Elkhart, Illinois; the Gillett Great Estate Trial of 1904 at Lincoln, Illinois; and Gillett History to the Present A Collaborative, Pictorial History Book, Featuring Images of Selected, Rare Sources <click above> Renovation of Veteran Park    Donations to the Veterans Park Fund are tax deductible & can be sent to PO Box 20, Elkhart, IL 62634. P O Box 255, Elkhart, IL  62634 Elkhart Historical Society   Elkhart Historical Society State of the Society 2021   As the last bits of summer fade, and the sweatshirts and long pants reappear in the seasonal clothing cycle, the realization that the holidays are coming hit some of us like a crashing cymbal.  Yikes- - so soon- - too soon- - whoosh and its over- - - What just happened?  You are just in time to plan on this being a wonderful Holiday, and what better way than to kick it off with the Christmas Candlelight Service at the Chapel on Elkhart Hill December 4, 2021.   Last year we were unable to have it due to the pandemic, but this year plans are to have our traditional services are being prepared, and of course we will follow the guidelines. The one big change is that we will not be packaging any optional dinners, so we advise that you make these plans once you have picked the service you prefer. The mail in form for the chapel services is included, and additional ones can be downloaded from our website.    www.elkharthistoricalsociety.org We look forward to seeing you at the Candlelight Services on Saturday December 4, 2021. The times will be 2p, 4p, 5:30p and 8p.  To Make Reservations call 217 947 2238- - the reservation line– STARTING - - Thursday, November 4th between 8a and 7p.  Be sure to leave your name (please spell) the number in your party, your phone number, and the service you wish to attend.   These reservations will be honored in the order received, so please leave the information so you save your place in line.  We will call you back to confirm your seats, and then you should promptly mail your check to the Elkhart Historical Society PO Box 255 Elkhart, IL 62634     It is also time to renew memberships for 2022, and by doing so your financial support helps us to continue the excellent programs we have always offered.  This year the senior level dues for individual or family is $20, and regular individual or family membership is $25.  Although the pandemic was still causing concern, we successfully celebrated the Irish in March, and by April had the best series of wildflower and bird walks ever.  Unfortunately, the rest of the programs scheduled were postponed due to new outbreaks of COVID.  We are hoping that the 2022 year is free of the disease which has held the world hostage for the past two years.  As we close, we would like you to remember our beloved President Ann Anderson who passed from this life on October 12, 2021, following a long siege with cancer.  Annie won!!   The Elkhart Historical Society Board wishes you a joyous, happy, and healthy Christmas and peaceful and productive New Year. We are excited about the possibilities for 2022 and hope that you are as well- - Blessings!!.    Bob Albert                   Bev Albert               Gillette Ransom Ken Lazar                Jamie Hobson                 Court Conn             Karen Conn To reserve space for a dinner lecture or walk for a group of six or more, you may call 217.947.2238 prior to the reservation date noted on the web site.  Payment will be accepted early for groups of 6+.  Upon confirmation of the reservation, payment must be received by EHS within SEVEN DAYS or the reservation confirmation date or the tickets will be released.       Web Site:             http://www.elkharthistoricalsociety.org Email:          Elkhart Historical Society elkhart.hist.soc@gmail.com           Rob Wilson:     jrwsound@gmail.com Village of Elkhart:   https://www.elkhartillinois.com NEW Exploring Tourism in Logan County Web site: www.explorelogancounty.com   [note:  the autumn photo of the Elkhart Gillett-Cemetery Bridge was submitted by Elkhart photographer, Joshua Rhoades]   Free Visits Counter