Extra, extra! Read all about it!
This photograph was taken in the basement pressroom of the Courier Herald in 1909. The photograph includes most of the paper's staff; even the newspaper boys are featured standing atop a table to the left.
Local Newsletter Collection
Did you know the Archives houses a collection of local organization newsletters?
Dr. Ellen Miner and Women’s Medical History in Champaign County
The Champaign County Historical Archives recently processed the papers of Dr. Ellen Miner, a Champaign County native who practiced gynecological and obstetrical medicine starting in 1896. Dr. Miner graduated from the Medical Department for Women at Northwestern University in 1893 and returned to Champaign to practice medicine in 1896. Her well-respected practice operated out of her home, and she was an active member of the medical community in Champaign until her retirement.
Upcoming Event: Medieval Missionaries: East-Central Illinois and its Cahokia Connection
This Thursday evening, February 25th, the library will host archaeologist Amanda Butler. Her presentation "Medieval Missionaries: East-Central Illinois and its Cahokia Connection" will discuss the Collins Archaeological Complex located along the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River, northwest of Danville, and its relationship to the Mississippian civilization who built the city of Cahokia near East St. Louis, Illinois. As a preview for the event please enjoy this repost from last April on "Digginig Up Illinois' Past."
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Have you ever found a rock that you knew must be a genuine arrowhead?
Have you ever dug a hole in your backyard hoping to discover the ruins of a lost civilization?
Have you ever wondered what life was like for the people that first settled Champaign County?
#ThrowBackThursday: Philo Boys Basketball
Tonight is the latest event in the Town and Gown Speaker Series, CU Hoops: Playing, Coaching and Reporting Basketball. Being held at the Bielfeldt Athletic Administrative Building, this event highlights men's and boys' basketball through the years from various perspectives. So on this Throw Back Thursday, the Archives would like to share a photo of the 1934 Philo Boys' Basketball team.
According to Our “References” You’d Make a Swell Valentine!
We want to send a digital valentine to all of our wonderful Patrons.
The staff think that you’re the cutest card in the catalog! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Love,
The Archives
Finding African-American Ancestors in Champaign County: A Resource Guide
The history of Champaign County’s African-American community began in the pioneer days of Champaign, Urbana, and the surrounding towns and villages. The easiest way to get started searching for African-American history in Champaign County, as with any subject pertaining to local history in Champaign County, is to search the Local History Online database. You can begin with a quick search from the homepage, which leads to an alphabetical list of results from the Local History Online index. You may find it useful to click “More Searches” and choose a keyword search of our holdings as well. What types of results will you see while searching Local History Online? Below is a list of several types of resources that you can search at the Champaign County Historical Archives. Included are references to several resources specific to Champaign County’s local African-American history and individuals.
Cemetery Haunts
Genealogists and local history buffs aren't the only ones who appreciate a good cemetery.
These lovely creatures were captured by our own resident cemetery aficionado, Karla.
If you don't mind spending an afternoon in a cemetery you may be interested in our upcoming workshop: Basic Cemetery Restoration. John Heider, a professional gravestone conservator, will offer a hands on class on how to properly care for Illinois cemeteries and their historic grave markers on June 4th. The class will meet at The Urbana Free Library and Roselawn Cemetery.
Cemeteries not your thing?
#tbt Original Boy Band, Circa 1913
Professor Wallace M. Ewing was the director of the Ewing's Zouave Boys' Band for over 15 years during the early 20th century.
Welcome to the Audiovisual Center in the Archives!
They go by many names, VHS, Videocassettes, Videotapes and for nearly 40 years they were the standard for home viewing entertainment. Today, VHS tapes have faded with the advent of the DVD, however many people (including myself) still own videotapes especially of family events.
In Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Today America honors the contributions and incredible life of Martin Luther King Jr. On this date we especially pause to remember his passion, bravery and hope for the future. Yet, it is important to note that reminders of his life and teachings surround us every day. From memorials and streets to movies and documentaries, Dr. King’s message of love can easily be recalled. Below are a couple of every day reminders of Martin Luther King’s philosophies.
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Urbana
Formerly Hays School, the elementary school was renamed for Dr. King in the 1970’s.
Walter C. Glines: Business Owner, Circus Performer
Walter C. Glines was the well-known proprietor of Gline’s Penny Store in Champaign, which he opened during World War I and managed until his retirement in 1956. However, before moving to Champaign and becoming a business owner, Mr. Glines had a successful career as a circus performer.
Jim Goes to Chicago
It can be hard returning to the regular routine after a long holiday break, but I wouldn't recommend going AWOL just ask Jim.
Ellis Island, A New Beginning...
Ellis Island opened on January 1, 1892. In honor of that occasion here is a blog we posted in 2013 about the history of the island and tips for researching an ancestor's immigration story. Happy New Year, Everyone!
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We all learned as school children how our immigrant ancestors came to America through Ellis Island. The real story about where and when immigrants entered the United States is much more complicated than the story we grew up with. Ellis Island was a New York gateway for the arrival of U.S. immigrants from roughly 1892 to 1924. Although it was by far the largest port of entry and millions arrived during that time, it was one of many ways to enter the United States.
Library Questions of Years Gone By
One of my ongoing projects is to process the records of The Urbana Free Library. Since we were founded in 1874 there are a lot of papers to sort through. Today I came across a folder titled ‘Reference Tallys’ [sic]. Inside is a sheaf of handwritten pages divided into 4 columns: reference question, source, answered (yes or no), and the answering librarian’s initials. Although, only the month and day are listed I am estimating from the questions and location within the collection that these queries date from the 1970s.
Take a look. [Click on image for a larger picture.] Do you think you could find the answers to the following?
Journals Available at the Archives
The Champaign County Historical Archives subscribes to over 100 genealogical and local history journals, with several new issues added each week. Most journals are located in the Archives open stacks and are available for browsing.