| The national award-winning Douglas County Museum is operated by volunteers (with a part-time
paid director). The museum features short-term exhibits about a wide range of topics pertinent to the
history of Douglas County and East Central Illinois. Throughout the year, the museum staff also offers a wide
range of special events and programs. Browse our website for more details. Regular museum
hours:
Monday through Wednesday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Other hours: By appointment only
SPECIAL NOTICE:
THE TEA DANCE SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 11 HAS BEEN CANCELLED
DUE TO WATER DAMAGE IN THE MUSEUM.
MUSEUM'S ANNUAL GARAGE SALE IS FAST APPROACHING!
Due to the extreme heat this summer as well as other factors, the original dates of the
Douglas County Museum's Year 2010 garage sale have changed. The new dates are: October 14, 15, 16.
This year's sale promises to be our biggest one ever! The museum's warehouse is stuffed
full, with more items being processed into the sale every week. Be watching the local newspapers for
information about the event. Our garage sale is an extremely important fund-raiser for the museum.
Money raised in the sale is used to help defray the high, high winter utility costs.
Mark your calendar. Bring friends. Bring a truck. Buy us out!!
ACCIDENT IN THE MUSEUM
For the first time in the 25 year history of the Museum Association, there was a serious
accident in the museum this summer. This has been a very rainy season and the museum's roof finally
could not contain the water any longer. Cracks in the roof asphalt caused water to pour into the
business office of the museum, as well as on top of the museum's "triple showcase", kiosk, and the
Afghanistan/Iraq Gold Star Memorial Wall. To try to save the showcases, furniture and tile, museum
volunteers draped tarps and situated buckets, tubs and baskets under the worst of the leaks. The place
was a soggy, miserable mess.
On the late night of July 24, museum director Lynnita Brown stepped into the museum to survey
the damage. She found water ponding on a light panel, dangerously close to a significant collection of
artifacts. Lynnita climbed up on an aluminum ladder to remove the panel and stop the ponding. The
ladder shifted in the water and Lynnita fell to the floor amidst buckets, pools of water, broken ceiling tile
and mops and tarps. She was alone in the museum at the time.
After recovering from the stun of the fall, knowing full well that something was badly
sprained or broken, Lynnita dragged herself to a chair, pulled herself up on it (unknown how!), and reached
for a telephone to call her husband Dale. He came, as well as Lynnita's mother Jean Aldridge and Tim and
Sherrie Hoel. Dale took Lynnita to Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital in Mattoon, while Jean, Tim and Sherrie
dealt with the water disaster.
The emergency room staff gave Lynnita pain medication, put her left leg in a temporary cast,
and sent her home. A few hours later, the pain was so intense that 911 was called and Lynnita was
transported from her home back to the emergency room at Sarah Bush. What followed was large doses of
morphine, followed by a CAT scan, emergency surgery by Orthopedic Surgeon Louis Mendella, and a three-day stay
in the hospital.
Lynnita now has five permanent pins in her left foot (four in the ankle). She is
currently (August 11) in her fourth cast, and has strict orders not to put any weight on her left leg for at
least eight weeks. She gets around in a wheelchair and a walker.
Luckily the museum has no scheduled functions for August 2010. However, when September
through December roll around, that is an entirely different story. We need museum volunteers now more
than ever. Give us a call if you want to lend a hand for events scheduled on our Calendar of Events.
COMING TO THE MUSEUM IN DECEMBER -
The Singing Men of WGNN
The trustees of the Douglas County Museum are pleased to announce that the Singing Men of WGNN
will be in concert in the museum on Sunday evening, December 5. The evening will begin at 5:00 with a
buffet dinner, followed by the concert at 6:30 p.m. Admission to the event is $15.00 per person.
The cost to attend just the concert is $10.00 per person. Advance reservations are required. The
event is part of the annual "Christmastown Tuscola."
The purpose of the Singing Men of WGNN is to: “Sing and Declare the Wonders of God and share
His Good News.” In the summer of 1999, Mark Burns, General Manager of WGNN was led to establish a
Christian Men’s Chorus. Under the original direction of Dr. Barrington Coleman, Professor and Director
of the University of Illinois Men’s Glee Club, men were attracted to join from all walks of life. This diverse
group consists of men of all ages, professions, denominations and life experiences, including physicians,
farmers, professors and plumbers.
Today, “The Singing Men of WGNN” are more than sixty enthusiastic men, from towns throughout
east central Illinois. They are directed by Stephen McClarey, the long-time Director of the Decatur Park
Singers and the Greater Decatur Chorale.
A typical concert consists of traditional hymns, worship and gospel songs; sprinkled with
patriotic selections; and seasoned with modern praise to bless a diverse audience. Selections include various
instruments, solos, trios, quartets, testimonies and audience participation.
“The Singing Men of WGNN” are approaching 100 concerts in venues from Chicago to Paris
Illinois. They have included University of Illinois-Krannert Center, Memorial Stadium, Assembly, National Hot
Air Balloon Festival, Virginia Theater, Christmas Concerts, Auto Shows, Community Fairs, Church Events,
Veterans Celebrations, Patriotic Events, Community Events and Dinner Theaters.
Jarman Baby Project Notice:
The Jarman Baby Book is now available for purchase!
Order information:
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648 pages, hardbound book, smythe-sewn, with dust cover
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The price of the book is $60.00. There is an additional $9.00 fee for shipping.
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Make checks payable to: Douglas County Museum, Jarman Baby Book, 700 S. Main Street,
Tuscola, IL 61953.
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The book may be purchased at any of the following locations:
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Douglas County Museum Office, 700 S. Main, Tuscola
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Paddy Wagon Antiques, Rt. 36 & S. Main St., Tuscola
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Paddy Wagon Two, W. Sale Street, downtown Tuscola
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Aldridge's, 131 W. Sale, downtown Tuscola
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Dick's Pharmacy, Vine Street, Arthur
Contact information:
Douglas County Museum, 700 S. Main Street, Tuscola, IL 61953
Phone 217-253-2535 Monday-Wednesday. Call the museum director, Lynnita Brown, after hours at
217-253-4620. E-mail: Lynnita. Admission to
the museum is free. Our facility is handicapped-accessible and there is plenty of bus/off-street
parking.
See Calendar of Events for Upcoming Special Events.
CURRENT EXHIBIT:
"WHERE WERE YOU DURING WORLD WAR II?"
The Dr. Eugene P. Bertin Collection, recently donated to the museum by the University of
Illinois Foundation, is a prominent part of the Douglas County Museum’s World War II exhibit. The significant
collection has an emphasis on the U.S. Army and features insignia, banners, field equipment, service medals,
shoulder patches, uniforms, sleeve braid, hats and a ship’s clock. This is the first time the collection has
been on display in East Central Illinois.
Dr. Bertin enlisted in the Army at the beginning of World War II and rose from the rank of
private first class to colonel. He became a student at the University of Illinois after his discharge from
service, receiving a PhD in 1952 in Analytical/Inorganic Chemistry. After teaching chemistry at the U of I for
two years, he accepted a position at the RCA Research Center in Princeton, New Jersey, working there until he
retired. After his death, his collection of military artifacts was temporarily accepted into the care of the
University of Illinois Foundation until a permanent home in the Douglas County Museum’s military collection
was chosen.
Another significant display in the World War II exhibit is an “Allies and Enemies” collection
of German, Bulgarian, Japanese, Italian, Russian, French, American, and English weapons, uniforms and helmets.
The display also features original World War II war bond drive posters and other war-related posters. The
display is courtesy of Douglas County military collectors.
There is also an Ernie Pyle display with items furnished by Howard Skidmore of California, the
Orville Richardson family of Arcola, and Roy & Joan Block of Sidney. Mr. Skidmore donated several Ernie Pyle
books to the museum’s collection, and they are featured in the Ernie Pyle display. While serving on the U.S.S.
Cabot, Mr. Skidmore was interviewed by Ernie Pyle. A well-known World War II war correspondent that lost his
life in combat conditions, Pyle wrote that his family was originally from East Central Illinois.
When Bill Q. Culumber of Biloxi, Mississippi, formerly of Decatur, Illinois, learned that the
Douglas County Museum staff was preparing a World War II exhibit, he sent several items associated with the
Jimmy Doolittle raid over Tokyo. He also encouraged Doolittle’s co-pilot, Dick Cole, who lives in Texas, to
submit something to the display. Mr. Cole sent an autographed print of a B-25 bomber for the exhibit.
On the lighter side, excerpts from “Dear Sir” by Juliet Lowell are on display in the exhibit.
Ms. Lowell searched war plant correspondence and government holdings to find actual letters sent to draft
boards and war plants. The letters are filled with funny excuses for missed work, grammatical errors that
alter meanings of sentences, and comical suggestions on ways to improve the war effort.
Last year a collection of Pearl Harbor memorabilia was donated to the Douglas County Museum by
the family of John Risting of Mattoon. Risting was a PFC at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii in March of 1940. He
survived the Pearl Harbor attack and rose in ranks to Sergeant Major before retiring. The attack on the harbor
on December 7, 1941, claimed 2,008 KIA Navy and 710 WIA; 328 Army KIA and 364 WIA, 109 KIA Marines and 69 WIA;
and a total of 68 KIA civilians and 36 WIA. Risting retired from the Army after 33 years of service to his
country spanning World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He was awarded three Bronze Stars, a Silver Star, and Purple
Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Sacrifices made on the home front were a significant factor in the Allied victory of World War
II. On display in the museum are children’s military uniforms, steel pennies, the identification tag worn by
grade school pupil Larry Boylson in California, a 1945 soybean license plate, Man of the Hour Roosevelt clock,
war bond stamp books, authentic war-time posters and newspapers, ration books, OPA tokens, and more.
On the home front in East Central Illinois, Progress Industries in Arthur made spherical
floats to hold up torpedo nets and one of them is currently on display in the Douglas County Museum’s exhibit.
During the war years, company employees made 21 spheres a day at 50 cents an hour. In 1943, during the height
of war production, an accident with 300-degree paint caused a fire that destroyed three-fourths of the
company’s oil division. Employees worked hard to rebuild the plant since there was no insurance to replace the
burned facility and equipment. As a result of its strong efforts to manufacture products essential to the war
effort, Progress was awarded the Army/Navy “E” flag for excellence. The flag was donated to the Douglas County
Museum by Henry S. “Hank” Czuj of Arthur and is on display, along with other Army/Navy “E” artifacts.
When American military personnel traveled abroad to serve their country during the war, a wide
assortment of souvenirs was brought back to loved ones at home. A number of these souvenirs are on display,
including a hula skirt, foreign currency, pillow shams, wood carvings, silk pajamas, jewelry, photographs,
brass, and more. Among the unique items shown are color pencil sketches on envelopes, sent home to Mrs. Jim
Hendricks in Mattoon by her artistic husband, and several rare pieces of trench art made from artillery shells
and other wartime ammunition and metal.
There is also a special display of memorabilia related to women who served in the war effort,
including Army, Navy and Air Force uniforms worn by area women veterans; a picture of Douglas County’s own
version of “Rosie the Riveter”, Ethel Louise Catron; the wedding gown of war bride and Navy veteran June
Creviston Allen; the cadet nurse and Red Cross volunteer uniforms of Betty Cox, Tuscola, and Mrs. Harold
Allen, Springfield; a beautiful red USO dress worn by Iantha Calloway of Decatur; and a propeller clock
originally owned by civil air patrolwoman Minnie Jolley.
Also on exhibit in the Douglas County Museum are uniforms from all branches of the service, a
chaplain’s field worship kit, war-related sheet music and records, a Cartwright Church honor plaque, books,
field gear, war rations and cookware, combat boots, weaponry, and newspapers and magazines of the era.
Included in the weaponry are Nazi and Japanese weapons, as well as a carbine rifle that was picked up on Omaha
Beach after D-Day. The flight jacket of E.J. “Army” Armstrong, top turret flight engineer for the 8th Air
Force, 379th Bomb Group, 524th Squad, Heavy Bombers, is on display, too. The rare jacket features bombs with
the names of European enemy targets that were hit by the crew of the Powerful Katrika.
Photographs of the following area veterans are an important aspect of the museum’s “Where Were
You During World War II?” exhibit: Glenn Gordon, Bradley Fleener, Bob & June Allen, Roy Anglen, Dean Petry,
Albert Morrison, Raymond Lee, Carl Woolverton, Tom Van Voorhis, Harold Ruby, Lewis Hettinger, John Chapman,
Marcus Porter, William Bandelin, Don Frantz, William Mitchell, Donald Gordon, Jack Hancock, Tommy Thompson,
Wayne Foran, Carl Frye, Frosty Martinie, E.J. “Army” Armstrong, Carl Long, Bob & Richard Fleming, Dick & K.O.
Lake, Warren Lewis, Bob Stallsworth, Loran Lewis, Vernon Light, Howard Skidmore, Robert Wayne Smith, John
Alexander, Dale Spence, Joseph Gillins, Kent Grummett, R.M. Sidell, Harry Loomis Shewhart, Jay Stiehl, Elmer
Weber Jr., Mick McCumber, Galen Ingrum, Ed Schultz, Don Frantz, Roland Spomer, Gene Carpenter, Dale Jensen,
Allan Gray, Aubert W. Snider, Jack Brown, Harley Teel, Dale Smith, Stanley Bade, Lake “Bud” Mott, Richard
Whitley, John Lamb, Ray Gregory, Kenneth Davidson, Edward Raymond Allen, William Carpenter, Lawrence Wingle,
Gene Wingler, Robert Nunn, Haley Carter, Robert “Red” Gillins, Charles Debault, Bill Burke, Claude Chilcote,
John Bundy II, John Risting, Glenn Shutt, Charles W. Dean, Orin Ruby, Earl Jones, Kenneth Ferguson, Bill
Congleton, Kenneth Nash, Charles Duane Gordon, Florin “Buck” Aldridge, Vernon Lamb, Dale Bissey, Harold T.
Allen, Dwight McCumber, Ray McCumber, Robert McCumber, James W. Randell, Earl Wayne Beccue, Merle Lype, Paul
E. Donley, Glenn Smith, Dan Swickard, Monk Froman, Carl A. Lewis, Ray Carlson, William Gordon, Bertrand
Gordon, George Maris, Claire Lane, Frank Beck, Bert Long, Lee Allison, Hop Conner, Harry Conner, Clarence
Conner, Wilbur French, Robert Arrol, James Sherrick, Dwight McCumber, Earl Clark, Richard R. smith, Charles
Duane Gordon, Michael J. Gordon, Kenneth W. Martin, William Garrett, Ted Carmack, Robert VanVoorhis, Harold
Ruby, Quentin Weber, Harold Maris, Bud Cullison, Red Mitchell, Ned McNussen, Jake Conn, Nathan Wells, Henry
Sinclair, Robert Rund, John C. Teter, Joe Job, Clarence Jones, Kenneth Davison, Glen R. Brady, Bill Brown,
Joseph Lawless, Wilber Wetzel, James Whitmarsh, Glenn Noffke, Robert Babb, Gloria Holt Albin, Howard Albin,
Robert B. Albin, James Coleman, James B. Motley, Ralph Burnell, Donald W. Fonner, Virginia Griffith, Ray Hays,
Clement R. Null, Robert Pontous, Burton B. Turner, Daniel Wagoner, John D. Young, Harold Weber, Joe Wills,
Wilbur Wetzel, Otha Smalling, Donald Pullen, James Romine, William Skinner, Charles C. Turner, Lyle Nelson
Petry, Dick Parker, Clarence Warters, Glen R. Adams, Robert Burris, Wayne Goff Smith, Earl Pendergrass, Ed
Peecher, William Trimble, Lowell Dean Cooper, Donald & William Smith, Ross Maris, Robert Frank Brehm, William
Russell West, William Iles, William M. Burress, Lenora Oliver, Ruth Romine, Laurene Pullen, Frances Stumpo
Richardson, Betty Cox, Josephine Ferris, Katie Heinlein Brandenburg, Inez Boren, Pat Lindenmeyer, Eileen
Boston Yoos, Paul Stumpo, Orville Richardson, John Davis, Roy Mannin, Gene Dye Sr., Lowell Oakley, Bernard
Bennett, Kenneth Winter, James Long, Wayne Gates, Ray Hardwick, George Seaman, Lloyd Lytle, Gale Hoel, James
W. Randall, Max Albin, Earl Riggins, Charles Foster, Burlin O’Brecht, Dale E. McCumber, Earl “Skeezix”
Adkisson, Bernell Lewis, Judge Harry Pate, Carlyle Schable, E. K. Davenport, Delbert Albers, Virgil Williams,
Arthur Richardson, Allen Shireman, Don Ochs, and Ivan Catron. Since the exhibit continues until December 31,
it is not too late for pictures of other World War II area veterans to be added to the existing photo display.
The Tuscola Quilt Club donated a red, white, and blue homemade quilt to the museum for a
raffle that is currently being held in the museum lobby from present to December 28, 2010. First prize is the
quilt and second prize is a copy of Ernie Pyle’s book, “Fifteen Previously Unpublished Articles of World War
II.” The book was donated by Howard Skidmore of California.
The Douglas County Museum’s World War II exhibit is open Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4
p.m. Special tours are available after hours by calling the museum at 253-2535 or museum director Lynnita
Brown at 253-4620 evenings. The museum is wheelchair accessible and admission is free.
PAST exhibit: "Farm Exhibit"
Click to view Photo Album
The “Farm Exhibit” opened on February 15, 2009 and was available to the public through May 15, 2009.
It is a recurring exhibit in the Douglas County Museum, held to recognize area farmers and affirm the
importance of the agricultural industry in East Central Illinois. “Farmers settled East Central Illinois well
over a hundred years ago,” said Lynnita Brown, museum director. “There is no denying that ever since they
arrived here, their presence has helped make the area prosperous. In this immediate area, the drain tile that
pioneering farmers placed underground changed the prairie from swampland to rich farm ground. When farmers
have a good year, so do neighboring communities.”
The museum’s Farm Exhibit 2009 featured several vintage tractors, including a John Deere Model B and John
Deere Model BR owned by Dave and Beckie Galbreath of Paris; Ford 8N owned by Rodger Clements of Gunnison, CO;
Minneapolis-Moline owned by David Pittman of Maroa; International Harvester 140 and International Super A
owned by Charles Hartman of Tuscola; Oliver Model 77 owned by Duff Hoel of Tuscola; Super M owned by Duane
Brian of Tuscola; Farmall 340 owned by Leonard Rentz, Massey-Harris Pony owned by Gary Appleby of Atwood; and
a Case CC owned by Dave Berbaum of Champaign. There is also a horseless carriage built and owned by Bill Deem
of Tuscola.
In addition to the full-sized tractors, there was a Minneapolis-Moline engine, Lowell Davis figurines,
barn-building tools loaned by John Alexander of Tuscola, USA Train advertising cars, photographs, painting,
posters and murals. There were also Oliver, Farmall, John Deere, Case, and Ford pedal tractors. John Galaway
Farm Toys of Farmer City had a display of Breyer horses, horse-drawn wagons, plows, surreys, etc. There was
also extensive Case memorabilia loaned by Dave and Jane Berbaum and Don Berbaum, all of Champaign.
The museum’s showcases also displayed a wide range of farm toy collections. Scale models being shown
include Farmall, John Deere, Case, Ford, White, International McCormick Farmall, Massey Ferguson, Oliver,
Allis-Chalmers, Graham-Bradley, Mogul, B.F. Avery, Huber, and Minneapolis-Moline. Exhibitors include Vince
Early of Seymour; Dale Fleming of Villa Grove; Gene Hackett of Charleston; Clarence Painter of Tuscola;
Lynnita Brown of Tuscola; Jack Allen of Tuscola; Charles Hartman of Tuscola; Dave and Jane Berbaum and Don
Berbaum of Champaign; Duane and Lottie Brian of Tuscola; and John Galaway of Farmer City.
In addition to these toys, the exhibit featuresd wooden hand-carved toys, including pre-World War II farm
buildings built by Wilfred C. Schroeder of Pesotum, farm implements such as corn pickers and combines built by
Glenn Miller of Seymour; and a hand-carved wooden wagon, horses, and rider by Orin J. Ruby, Tuscola. There
were also Breyer horses and horse-drawn wagons, plows, surreys, etc. from the John Galaway Collection, Farmer
City.
Corn-related items on display were seeders dating from the 1870s, including an 1880s “Man-Killer”, seed
graders, a corn slicer, shellers, a Clipper Seed Cleaner from the Mike Eastin Family of Pesotum, and vintage
walking plows. The exhibit also featured a display of vintage garden tractors, including 1950s George
tractors, 1945 McLean, and 1947 Eaglesfield Unitractor. Gary Davis of Herrick restored the tractors.
Other items on exhibit included household items such as feed sack clothes, sad irons, and a rare Tri-lite
ironing board. There were gas engines, a potato plow, miscellaneous tools, and a unique 1940s Hammermill Feed
Grinder. A special feature of the Farm Exhibit was also “The Farmer’s Quiz”. The quiz was a showcase
filled with tools used inside the farm home and outside the home. Another display was “Farm Tools from Many
Angles” by Dale Fleming of Villa Grove.
Museum Brochures Available
Brochures are now available thanks to generous donations from Dicks Pharmacy in Arthur and Henry and
Shirley Rahn of Tuscola. Call 217-253-2535 or stop by the museum for single or quantity copies.
Find it on the Douglas County Museum's website:
A form to register your veteran in the museum's Veterans Registry is now available on our website.
Read all about it by clicking on the link at left.
Visit Douglas County
Planning a trip to the Douglas County area in East Central Illinois? Learn about our county here:
Visit Douglas County
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