Featuring the Pope County Historical Society

Occasionally the Backstory Blog will feature local societies who are working to preserve our local and family history. I will begin this feature with the society from Pope County, Illinois. I am a lifetime member. All of my mother’s ancestral lines have roots in Pope County – Hall, Brush, Cole, Saylors, Capps, Boston, Kelly. 

The Pope County Historical Society was founded in 1966 by about 40 citizens. It purchased the Rondeau House in Golconda, also called the Madge Trovillion Home, in the winter of 1967 and established a fine museum there. A number of devoted women established the “Not-So-New” Store to support the efforts of the society and this successful store in Golconda has been part of the ongoing support up until the present day. Unfortunately, tragedy struck in 1987 when the museum burned. But they did not give up, today’s museum is larger and better than ever, one of the best for a small community in Illinois.

The Society’s mission is to preserve the unique history of this county. Pope County was founded in 1816, fully two years before Illinois became a state. Many families established themselves in the county in the early days, some staying, some passing on to other regions. The natural beauty of Pope County and southern Illinois is unsurpassed.

The following is from the Society Facebook page:

The Historical Society Museum opens for the season on Saturday, April 2^nd.  It will be open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. until November. Most of its treasures were given by patrons who are local or who have families here. Many of the county families are generations old. The gifts show family history, the ways they lived, worked, dressed and played in the two centuries of Pope County.

Displays of various fraternal orders shows the social societies who worked for the good of all communities; Odd Fellows, Masons, Rotary (both of which are still active here today) and others you may not have heard of.

We have a military room that goes back to the Civil War and a reading room filled with scrapbooks.

A real mammoth tusk found buried in the mud when the river shore was being excavated for the building of Dam 51.

And that is just the north half of the museum. As you enter the main door you will be greeted, first by the cheery face of a volunteer, then walk through areas of furniture set up in displays, also display cases set up as if it was in a store of the period.

The building that houses the museum was built in 1906 to replace the original Watson Hardware that was lost by fire. When the young Watson sons who served in WWII returned home, the Watson Hardware business was moved to where the Kunath Hardware is now.

We are very excited to be able to share two of our newest acquisitions; the Lincoln Coin and Memorabilia Collection loaned to us by Ronald Wilson, and a window shade Platt of the IOOF Cemetery, showing original owners of the plots. This valuable piece of history was donated by Carol Crisp who received it from the Rottmann Estate.

I will add that you can literally spend hours just looking at all the fascinating material that has been donated to the Museum!  Viewing the mammoth tusk itself is worth the trip!

Over the years, the Society has published two histories of the county as well as a pictorial history book. It has programs discussing the history and genealogy of Pope County and its families several times per year. Meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Museum.

The Society also sponsors a Driving Tour which features the unique history of the small river town of Golconda. This can be accessed free of charge within the city by dialing 618-221-5168 or Golconda.Onecell.com

While in Golconda, have a bite to eat at one of the local establishments – “Diver Down, Tanny’s, the Dari Barr, or the Mansion of Golconda. See the historic courthouse which contains records dating back to the founding of the county in 1816.  Stop by the library with its section on local history and genealogy. Take a tour of the old Golconda City Cemetery.  See a fantastic view of the Ohio River. Make plans to attend one of the local festivals.

Consider joining the society to support its ongoing efforts.  Membership is only $10 per year or $100 for a lifetime membership.  Pope County Historical Society, P.O. Box 837, Golconda, IL 62938.

Make the drive to beautiful historic Golconda this spring or summer and check it out!