Although the Madison County Historical Museum building is closed for renovation, the staff of the museum continues to create off-site and online exhibits to help area residents learn more about their history. These include two that were installed at the Madison County Courthouse in November.
The first of these is a commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the American Legion. It includes a brief history of the organization’s founding as a resource for World War I veterans. This exhibit also features American Legion artifacts, the story and artifacts from the “Last Man’s Club,” and a book of poetry by a local survivor of the Lost Battalion. The display can be found in the case below the portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the first floor of the Madison County Courthouse.
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An exhibit in the east alcove features artifacts related to canning: a funnel, a kraut cutter, an apple peeler, and an apron, all from different time periods during the heyday of home canning.? This exhibit will bring back memories for those who remember a time when most “canned goods” came from personal gardens, rather than from the grocery store.
Exhibits installed earlier this fall include one that celebrated “Back to School” with a look back at some of the schools in Madison County. The large exhibit case and an adjacent flat display case on the south wall of the courthouse feature photographs, artifacts, and documents that portray the historical experience of schoolchildren in Madison County from kindergarten through high school.
In the County Administration building is a display that explored the importance of Labor Day. The exhibition features artifacts from several trades active in Madison County in the early 20th century and labor union photographs. This exhibit also has a companion online exhibit that can be found at https://madcohistory.org/online-exhibits/laborers-in-madison-county-history/.
All of the above exhibits are currently on display in the Madison County Courthouse and Administration Building at 157 N. Main Street in Edwardsville. Hours are 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. (same as regular business hours for the courthouse). Visitors are reminded to leave cell phones in their cars since they are not permitted in the courthouse.
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