New Exhibit Opens the 2023 Year

As a part of our celebration of significant women of Bureau County, on March 4, the Society opened the Clark/Norris Museum with a new exhibit focused on Grace Clark Norris, titled Getting to Know Grace. The exhibit is an intimate look at the lives of Grace and her parents, Sam and Ann Clark, the early days of the Clarks’ marriage in Dover in the 1860s on their farm, Ivy Gate, to the building of their beautiful home in 1900 on the corner of Park Avenue West.

“The staff at the BCHS has created an in-depth experience related to the life of Grace Norris,” says Board Member Steve Bouslog. “Grace was an integral part of the creation of the BCHS. You will learn about her life and impact on others in Princeton and the surrounding area.”

Although the Clarks were a wealthy prominent family in the county, only one of their six children, Grace, survived to old age. Their remaining children were all taken by disease and public tragedy. In addition, Grace’s only child, a daughter, died at birth.

Nevertheless, this remarkable family, including Grace and her husband, Alfred Norris, remained open-hearted and gave of their time and money to various community organizations, churches and businesses.

This great philanthropic family has left an indelible mark on this county that remains to this day. The exhibit introduces them to the public through the stories of those who knew them best - from family and friends to servants - through the family’s personal letters and photographs, to the stories of the grand parties they enjoyed hosting

New Military Exhibit Opens in May

Please join us in May for Military Appreciation Month as we acknowledge and honor the sacrifices of our Bureau County veterans. The exhibit will feature military artifacts dating from the Civil War to the present, including numerous uniforms, medals, photographs, and military accessories. As a part of this exhibit, we have nearly 150 audio and video interviews with Bureau County veterans from WWII and Vietnam that will be accessible to the public.

in this home, and the lengthy news coverage of their business dealings, social engagements, charitable work, and finally their deaths.

The response to the exhibit has been strong, so we’ve extended it through April 15, 2023. Don’t miss this intimate tribute to the legacy of Grace Clark Norris and her family.

JESSICA GRAY, from page 1 a role in the building of that house, or these streets, or that monument.”

Daily I come across the names of well-known families still living here and the activities their ancestors were involved in 100 years ago, and I think that’s just so fascinating To know exactly what your greatgrandfather or great aunt or uncle were involved in, to know not only their names, but their stories, and where they walked and spoke those stories to others.

The people of Bureau County, and I suppose in small towns everywhere, live side by side with their history. It is an indelible part of who they are. The Bureau County Historical Society Museum is often the final