BCHS Summer 2023 Newsletter

Bureau

County Historical Society Newsletter

ever heard of the

By John Purvis

Back in the 1950’s-60’s America had a fascination with flight. Science magazines had colorful covers telling us how in “just a few years” everyone was going to have a flying car and we’d be zipping along just like George Jetson. In Neponset, Illinois one man had seen that future in his mind and went about trying to make it a reality.

Dr. William Bertelsen graduated from high school in Rock Island in 1938. He graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine and spent two years at the Indiana Institute of Technology studying mechanical engineering. As a country doctor in Neponset, IL, he first began tinkering with air cushion vehicles (ACV) as a way to reach rural patients during bad weather.

During his lifetime, he designed not only the Aeromobile but also the Arcopter and a vertical take-off and landing aircraft (VTOL). He’s also credited with developing the AeroPlow and the Air Track Air Cushion Crawler. Today Berteslsen’s machines enjoy a special place in American and Illinois history. Several of his creations are on display at the National Air & Space Museum in Washington D.C.

He belonged to a number of scientific organizations such as the U.S. Hovercraft society, the British Hovercraft society and the Canadian Aeronautics and Space institute. He also wrote numerous scientific papers and appeared in science journals and magazines, and was featured on the cover of Popular Science magazine in July of 1959. In 1996 the Discovery Channel had a segment on his machines in their program Extreme Machines. There is a group on Facebook dedicated to this remarkable Illinois native as well as a link to the Neponset Historical Society.

The Bureau County Historical Society is working in partnership with our friends and neighbors at other museums and historical societies. Many thanks to Adam Kelly at the Neponset Historical Society for the valuable information and assistance provided to write this article. To schedule a tour at the Neponset Historical society, call, 309-854-2332.

From The President’s Pen

ANSWERING THE CALL — Past, P resent, & Future

As summer draws to a close and we anticipate glorious midwestern autumn days, there is no better time to reflect on both the accomplishments and the challenges we encountered this year at the Bureau County Historical Society.

In this issue of the BUREAU COUNTY CHRONICLE, don’t miss the report from the Building and Grounds committee listing projects we tackled this past year--many, of which were unexpected but extremely necessary. Fortunately, several members answered the call and we were blessed with generous donations that helped us meet the ballooning costs of construction and remediation.

Your BCHS newsletter will reveal our plans for the remainder of this year which include several events inviting you, our loyal members and friends, to take part. Already, the Events Committee has plans filling our 2023 calendar. You won’t want to miss what we have in store for you.

Your generous donations and memberships plus 100% board participation have helped us generate one of our smallest budget deficits in many years. The Finance and Investment Committee has been prudently planning for our future in ways that will benefit the society.

Our fiscal year ends September 30, 2022. The BCHS Annual Meeting and Dinner will be held November 10, 2022. At this meeting we will ask our members for approval of the 2022-23 budget and also hold the election of new board members. A highlight of the evening will be the recognition of those who truly answered the call of our nation, our Bureau County veterans. Details for this event will follow at a later date. We hope you can join us.

BCHS Executive Director Lex Poppens continues to bring new energy to the table which is benefitting the BCHS in a variety of ways. Feel free to stop by for a visit with Lex to hear what’s being planned. It’s your opportunity to offer suggestions and also discover where you can lend a hand.

In this issue of the CHRONICLE, you can read about a new record set at the BCHS by Mike Hult answering calls from both county-wide and out-of-state members and friends for inquiries on ancestors and early settlers in Bureau County. Many thanks to Mike and his research library volunteers for their hours of dedication.

Our plea for volunteers continues. At our museums, we need help in many different areas. Be watching for more information on ways you can help in the new year. We will be re-organizing

and extending our call so that perhaps you might find that niche you are willing to fill by donating your time and talents.

National Museum Day was celebrated this month on Saturday, September 17th. This year’s theme is “The Power of Museums.” No matter where you live, I’m certain you have a museum close by. I encourage you to take time this month to visit your local museum to show support. Museums thread social fabric that is essential to community building through its collections and programs. Please keep in mind that now, more than ever, museums face numerous challenges and they can only survive with the support of their communities.

This will be my last letter to you as President of the BCHS. Along with other board members, my term has ended and I will be retiring from the BCHS Board of Directors at the end of our fiscal year. I want to thank those also retiring who have served the society over the past years: Dana Fine, Ryan Keutzer, and Carolyn Diller. Their time and wisdom has been greatly appreciated.

My opportunity to serve the BCHS occurred at a time when there was only one building, the Clark-Norris House Museum. The board was composed of not just Princeton residents but also representatives from Bureau County towns of Wyanet, Sheffield, Walnut, and Spring Valley. Most have passed on but their legacy of giving back left a lasting impression on me.

Our board meetings were held in the lovely, front parlor at the Clark house; we sat on antique chairs that circled the perimeter of the room. The museum office was housed in the Clark House kitchen. So much has changed for the better, yet much remains the same which is fortunate, also.

It has been an honor to serve the BCHS. Thanks to all of you for your support over the years. From that little girl living right down the street from the Clark-Norris Museum to now, a grandmother and seasoned director of the society, I look back on those years and consider myself the lucky one.

Over time, I’ve witnessed the best our county has to offer and I’ve learned and grown from so many! My wish is for others to feel and experience the same. My plans are to continue giving back as a BCHS volunteer and I encourage you to join me in answering the BCHS call.

Warm regards,

Cartwright

What a quarter it’s been!

Did you know the hydrofoil was invented in Neponset, Illinois? In this issue, we begin working with the other historical societies in Bureau County to reveal more of our shared history. Resident Historian John Purvis collaborated with the Neponset Historical Society on a story featuring the inventor and physician, Dr. William Bertelsen.

We’ve been very busy this summer! We had 30 children from the Zearing Child Enrichment Center and more than 80 visitors to the museum since we’ve opened. The research area has been equally busy. Since January, we’ve had more than 140 requests from residents in states as far away as Texas, North Carolina and others.

If you have been by the Clark/Norris and Newell/Bryant Museums, you’ve seen construction workers! We’ve been busy with maintenance that we weren’t able to complete during the pandemic. Thanks to an anonymous donor, all of our costs associated with the roof at the Newell/Bryant Museum were covered! Take a look at the story inside to see all the other work that has been done.

I’ve worked in not-for-profit agencies throughout my professional career. Each one has dealt with the difference between what is necessary for operations and the amount needed in fundraising and membership. BCHS is no different. To that end, we have had extraordinary support from our community! At this writing, we are within 20% of getting this year’s budget deficit to zero. Our September goal for membership and donations is just over $18,000. If you haven’t renewed your annual membership, please do so before September 30, 2022. Every bit helps. Take a look inside and see how you can help in the future.

For this year’s Annual Meeting, we’ll be at the Barn at Hornbakers on Thursday, November 10th. Our theme this year is to honor our Veterans.

Sincerely, Lex Poppens

PANDEMIC MEMOIRS STILL BEING COLLECTED

HOW COVID-19 HAS AFFECTED YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS

We continue to collect memoirs from our members and friends and encourage you to send us your thoughts and impressions on how you navigated the deadly Pandemic which first affected our nation over four years ago.

What did you do during the months of recommended isolation? Were you or any member of your family infected with the COVID-19 virus? What were your impressions of how the medical field and the government handled the virus mandating certain restrictions to keep the public safe? How did remote learning in schools affect your students living at home? Did you miss the social interaction with friends, family, church and other clubs and activities? Were your vacations and travel plans greatly curtailed?

At this date in time, almost all restrictions have been lifted even though the threat of COVID still exists. Masking is optional and a large percentage of the population is now vaccinated and boosted with the COVID-19 vaccine. Currently, we continue to lose 450 souls each day to COVID. Schools have returned to near-normal and public events occur again on a regular basis. Caution is exercised by personal choice.

One hundred years from now we hope your accounting of the world-wide, deadly pandemic will be available for others to research so that they may understand the impact the virus had on Bureau County and the nation.

Please send your submission to: Bureau County Historical Society, 109 Park Avenue West, Princeton, IL 61356.

THE BUREAU COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS!

Now that the Bureau County Historical Society has reopened to the public, we are looking for research volunteers in our library, docents and general office work. Help keep our history alive!

If you are interested, call us at 815.875.2184.

TWELVE QUESTIONS - ABOUT

New Board Member STEPHANIE WILSON FOES

ANDRÉ DARLINGTON

SAVE THE DATE BCHS Annual meeting

Thursday, November 10

The Barn at Hornbaker Gardens

RELIVING THE ‘RAT PACK’ ERA FOR FUN AND FUNDS!

The Bureau County Historical Society has played host to many parties, teas, recitals and lectures over the years.

But on the evening of Saturday, Oct. 8, the museum will become the venue for a get-together that might just make history itself.

Welcome to the 1960s world of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and their “Rat Pack” pals as the BCHS hosts its first “Rat Pack” Party.

It will be an evening of great hors d’oeuvres and beverages as attendees hobnob in their best cocktail attire at the beautiful Clark/Norris Museum in Princeton.

This event will help raise money for the Bureau County Historical Society. Our beverage sponsor, The Barrel Society, is providing exceptional bourbon and vodka for your pleasure.

While you snack and sip drinks, best-selling author André Darlington takes us through the music and beverages of the Rat Pack era.

JOIN THE BCHS VOLUNTEER TEAM!

Be watching in 2023 for your invitation to contribute to the vitality of our museum by volunteering to help in a variety of ways. We guarantee there’s a project you’ll love to tackle. We encourage you to share your special talents as you make new friends at the museum.

Note: This event is from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. and is limited to 50 people. Your ticket ($80 for single, $150 for couple) includes drinks, hors d’oeuvres and an autographed copy of Bar Menu! Your order will be your RSVP. Tickets are available at https:// bureaucountyhistoricalsociety.com/bchs-rat-pack-party/ or by mailing a check to Bureau County Historical Society, 109 Park Avenue West, Princeton, IL 61356. There is a limited number of tickets still available.

Enjoy an evening of music and libations from the Rat Pack era. This event is sponsored by Midwest Partners and The Flats at Elm Place.

Photo Credit: Andre Rucker

The 2022 Homestead Festival was a great weekend for Bureau County residents and visitors. The Bureau County Historical Society was delighted to have won First Place for its store front window at Four Seasons honoring our Bureau County veterans. Board President Kathryn Cartwright created the concept and Mike Hult and Lex Poppens implemented the design. We are honored to have won the blue ribbon!

RESEARCHING our Past

If you’ve called into the Bureau County Historical Society offices, you’ve probably talked to Museum Associate Mike Hult. Mike has been busy! Since we reopened, we’ve had over 140 requests for information from New Mexico, Colorado, New York, New Jersey, North Dakota, Texas and North Carolina. Our researchers have discovered an enormous amount of information. “The most interesting search has been on Virgil Fox,” said Mike. “Our research ended up in a new book. Every day is different, interesting and fun!”

kTHE YOUNG MAN IN THE WALL

Sometimes, we just can’t crack the secret of an artifact brought our attention. Here is a photo of a young man that was brought to us by a family living on North Linn Street in Princeton, IL. As they renovated their home, which was built in 1893, they found this photo in the wall! We believe he may be a relative of Everett Blackburn but we can’t confirm that yet. If you have a relative that looks like this, drop us a line so we can give him a name.

For information on requesting a search for information, visit our website at www.bureaucountyhistoricalsociety.com.

YOUR DONATIONS Matter! YOUR DONATIONS At Work!

Bureau County residents might not realize it, but the organization that collects, preserves and shares county history depends on membership fees and monetary donations to help make financial ends meet.

The Bureau County Historical Society encourages the county’s 33,244 residents to support its wideranging efforts to help give historical context to modern life.

Today’s residents owe a lot to their ancestors for persevering in their efforts to create a historical society in the first place.

After several unsuccessful attempts to launch a county historical group early in the 20th century, the present Bureau County Historical Society was incorporated on March 4, 1937. The society’s first museum was in the basement of the Bureau County Courthouse.

After Mrs. Alfred Norris bequeathed her Princeton mansion to the society, the Bureau County Historical Society Museum relocated there just before Christmas in 1948 with four floors of historical items for the public to view.

Over the years, much effort has been expended by the historical society board, staff, volunteers and members to preserve not only the Clark/Norris house but also the next-door Newell/Bryant house, which is home to the BCHS research library, the executive director’s office, and other exhibits.

A question to ask ourselves is: Are we being good stewards? In other words, are we financially supporting this important organization as our ancestors did, so that our history can be preserved for future generations?

The BCHS urges local residents to answer these questions by becoming Historical Society members and donating generously to this worthy cause.

There are two convenient ways to make a donation to BCHS—mail a check to Bureau County Historical Society, 109 Park Avenue West, Princeton, IL 61356 or online at https:// bureaucountyhistoricalsociety.com/donate/.

At the Newell/Bryant Museum, we replaced the stairs into the research room. As part of that project, we also needed to repair the foundation under the door. There was also a need to paint the ramp leading into the museum, too. The biggest project at the Newell/Bryant home was our roof. It was damaged during a hail storm. and repair was delayed because of the pandemic. The worst damage was the porch on the west side of the home. Thanks to an anonymous donor, it’s all been repaired or replaced!

At the Clark/Norris Museum, we needed to rebuild one of the original doors. The door frame and footer was also replaced so the weather will stay out of the porch. It really looks great.

BUREAU COUNTY HISTORICAL

109 Park Avenue West Princeton, Illinois 61356 Phone: (815) 875-2184 museum@bureaucountyhistoricalsociety.com www.bureaucountyhistoricalsociety.com

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit #624 Princeton, IL 61356

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Bureau County Historical Society

Museum & Library

Visit the Bureau County historiCal MuseuM

Explore local history, take a tour or browse our research library. Tours include both the historic Newell-Bryant and Clark-Norris homes on Princeton’s Courthouse Square. Research Library contains references from across the County, H.W. lmmke portraits, the Bill Lamb Collection and “Out of the Past” files.

Museum and Research Library Hours

Wednesday--Saturday Noon - 5:00 P.M. Please call to schedule tours.

Visit our website for information about becoming a Historical Society Member!

109 Park Avenue West - Princeton, IL 61356 (815) 875-2184