Busy Week Ahead For Washington County Historical Society

By Alex Haglund

The Washington County Historical Society has a lot happening over the next week, including the final deadline for the Washington County, Illinois History and Families Book, as well as the “Old Fashioned Base Ball Game”, both of which are on Saturday, June 30.
The base ball game (no, that’s not a typo, it was written as two words originally), will feature the Murphysboro Clarkes taking on the St. Louis Brown Stockings at Diamond number 4, across the creek, at Nashville Memorial Park, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This is the second year the Historical Society has held this event and it was popular and well-attended last year (despite being rescheduled due to rain).
Admission to the game is free, and hot dogs, popcorn and refreshments will be available for a donation to the historical society.
Be sure to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on and watch the game and come take a trip back in time to the days when America’s Pastime was just getting its start.

County History Book

The History and Families Book has been an ongoing project for the historical society for the better part of a year. The deadline was initially in November of 2017 and has been pushed back repeatedly to allow for more submissions and orders to come in, and come in they have.
There will be no more pushing the deadline back though – the time has come to get the final work done to finish the book so that it can be printed and then distributed in time for the holidays at the end of this year.
If you have a submission to make for the book, or if you wish to preorder the book, now is the time. Books can be purchased for $54.95, and family histories, including a photo, up to 500 words are free. There is a cost for pages for businesses, farms, churches, schools and clubs, these submissions help to support the other submissions for the book.
If you have questions about the book, your submission or need any other information, please contact the historical society’s book committee chair, Elaine Rucker, at (618) 327-8075.
In past weeks, L&N Depot and the Historical Society Museum have been accepting submissions, but due to the ball game, they will be closed on June 30, so please act accordingly and make arrangements now – soon it will be too late!

July 4

On Independence Day, 2017, Historical Society members gathered at the L&N Depot on Railroad Street to relax and watch the fireworks launched from the park. The Depot really does provide an excellent view and it doesn’t have the crowds that the park does.
This year, the historical society is making it official, and invites the public to join them at the Depot to watch the show.
There is no admission cost, but please bring a chair or blanket to sit on to watch the fireworks.
Refreshments will be available for a donation to the historical society.
Come on out, enjoy the show and come check out the beautiful L&N Depot while you’re there.