McLEAN COUNTY HISTORY & GENEALOGY NEWS
By Euleen Rickard
Since July when we acquired Smith House, many have helped to prepare it for use as a museum. We thank W.T. Taylor, Don Wilson and Alvin Rickard for their work on the grounds and for getting electricity and water restored to the house. Also, special thanks go to our neighbor, Mrs. Frashure for allowing us to cross her yard with the underground electrical line.
Don Wilson, Dorothy Pinkston and Alvin Rickard have restored the hallway and living room floors and Audra Conrad, Judy Settle, Mildred Iglehart, Helen Anderson and Euleen Rickard met for a “cleaning “ day. Three rooms and the hallway are now in use.
Mark Dennon of the Kentucky Historical Society visited the museum on September 23rd. He talked with Don Wilson about restoration for Smith House and some guidelines were given. A new roof will be the first major improvement and work will soon begin.
Thanks to Jim Hansford and Wayne Austin for moving our genealogy files from the Livermore Library. We are indebted to the Library for the time our files were there and to Loretta Gross and Geraldine Boyd for their kindness when we worked there. The Livermore Library has a set of shelves specifically for genealogy. Some books with information about specific families are: Barnett Family History, The Stephen Jennings Tanner Autobiography and Genealogy, The William Tanner Family, Nall Families of America and others.
At the last meeting Reverend Wendell Rone presented President Jim Hansford with a framed picture commemorating the founding of McLean County by Alney McLean in 1854. He and his half-sister Edith Bennett are now compiling a history of the McLean County churches, past and present.
Hubert Mattingly has given a copy of his “History of McLean, Old Vienna and Calhoun” written in 1947 and his “Treasure Trove of Memories” a history of basketball in Sacramento High School written and compiled in 2001. Mattingly was a lifetime educator, teaching at Indian Creek School in Whitely County, Pack, Adams, Rumsey, Island and Sacramento in McLean and Benjamin Franklin in Owensboro.
Audra Conrad has given two beautiful hand woven rag rugs and Tom Rector of Louisville sent a Kentucky-Indiana Baseball Championship trophy that was won by the Island Eagles in 1950.
Other material donated include items for the genealogy room from Janet Hughes, Edith Bennett and W. T. Taylor. At the present time folding chairs are needed.
Thanks to the Island Heritage Council for providing our meeting place for September and for the fine lunch they served. Our next meeting will be held at 2 PM, October 26, at Smith House, 540 Main Street, Calhoun.