History

Art, Culture, General, History, Historical Society

The local membership does research of families (at a nominal fee) for those who visit the museum and many who correspond. Most of the local histories have been indexed, as have the scrapbooks compiled from local newspapers containing obits, weddings, and anniversaries. The museum also has many family files and card files with cross-indexing. Microfiche of Illinois marriages including Hancock county 1829-1890 are also available to those doing research, and copies of numerous township burial records.

Art, History

Park

General, History, Historic House, Historical Society

We are a small but growing institution. Our capabilities at this time are limited but we have a wonderful collection of artifacts of the area. We are totally volunteer.

Library

Art

Historical Society

General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Specialized

The museum contains everything from native american artifacts (on loan from the Rebstock family) to a circa 1918 mail rig to hundreds of tools, photographs, and vintage clothing. One highlight are the hanging tools of Hawthorne township farmer Phil Hanna, "the humane hangman", who ended the life of Southern Illinois' most famous or infamous outlaw, Charlie Birger. Hanna presided over many early 20th century executions. The Haas Store building is a wonderful example of a cast iron storefront, and is located directly across from the Ratcliff Inn. You can tour the museum on line at L.Haas Store Museum. The museum underwent repairs in 2001 and has been organized with church and kitchen areas, communications, homelife, Native American, medical, military, and Carmi sections.

Historical Society

History, Historical Society

Art, Children's, Science

History

History

Anthropology, Archaeology, Culture, History, Historical Society

The LaSalle County Historical Society celebrated its centennial anniversary during 2007. The founders had a vision in 1907. They wrote "Without an organization of this sort much of value to posterity would be obliterated by the passage of years from the annals of our county's history."

Our resolve today is much the same--to procure and save the historical treasures of LaSalle County for the present and future generations.

The Society does this through a four-building complex located in downtown Utica.