LYNDON AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY – “Bridging the Past with the Future”
February 2014 Annual Newsletter
Pursuing Our Mission
 To restore the Lyndon Area Historical Society to a viable community asset
 To convert the sanctuary for public use – celebrations and events
 To preserve and archive Lyndon’s venerable history
 To create a media, technology, and genealogy center
The sanctuary has been restored. Carol (Richmond) Crady, Dale Ann (Stump) Cook, Lindy Greenwood, and Alicia (Attig)
Wetzell diligently organize and archive the museum’s many artifacts. The Lyndon Area Historical Society is partnering
with the Lyndon Village Board in re-energizing community interest in and support of the Lyndon Bridge maintenance and
use. Historical society members are working on an updated Lyndon Bridge chronology. This document will eventually be
posted on the Lyndon Area Historical Society website. Brochures showcasing both the Lyndon Area Historical Society
and the Lyndon Bridge are also being designed. These brochures will be distributed throughout Whiteside County.
Museum Restoration
Sanctuary
Exhibit Hall
Fellowship Hall (downstairs)
Paying Tribute
As one door closes…another opens…In July 2013, the Lyndon United Methodist Church closed its doors after 172 years
of worship and fellowship. Who among us can forget the delicious chicken and biscuit dinners held in the LUMC
fellowship hall? Members of the congregation chose the Lyndon Area Historical Society as the repository for many of
their cherished items, thus keeping their history “at home” and “intact”. Of those items given, were 14 vintage oaken
pews which now beautifully complete the museum’s sanctuary! The Lyndon United Methodist Church was honored at
our 3rd Annual Come Home Again Reunion – A Picnic in the Park held on September 22, 2013. The exhibit hall
showcased the many LUMC artifacts. Dmitri Feofanov -concert pianist and Lyndon resident, Jacy Voss - soloist, and
Diane Roman-organist, graciously entertained the attendees. A memorial booklet was created for the LUMC
congregants summarizing their history and listing the donated items. A picnic at Richmond Park was held that evening as
well. Entertainment was provided at the park by Yesterdaze Gone; a number of the band members grew up in Lyndon.
Memorials/Donations
The Lyndon Area Historical Society wishes to recognize and thank the Robert Harrington Estate for their most generous
contribution! A special thank you also goes out to the “angels” who paid for our website.
Fundraisers
The facility is greatly in need of a new roof!!! This is a very costly endeavor. We strongly encourage you to support us
in our efforts to preserve this historical facility. Your individual ($10) or family membership ($20) is gratefully
appreciated! During 2013, we held several fundraisers. Our doors were open on May 18, 2013 as part of the Lyndon
city-wide garage sale. Historical society members, along with generous community supporters, donated a variety of
gently-used treasures. The 3rd Annual Come Home Again Reunion – Picnic in the Park held on September 22, 2013 was
also a fundraiser. On November 9, 2013, we held our ever-popular 3rd Annual Trivia Night – Turkey Trot. Again, Neil
Johnson created the trivia questions and acted as the” master of ceremonies”. Other historical members assisted in
creating the slideshow presentation, marketing the event, obtaining donated items for the raffle and drawings, and
acting as hosts the evening of the event. Together, all fundraisers brought in almost $2200. These funds are dedicated
to the roofing project. Currently, we are working to obtain our 501 ( c ) 3 tax status. This tax status will enable us to
apply for local, state, and federal grant money thus furthering the Lyndon Area Historical Society’s growth opportunities.
It is a long and arduous process. Carol Crady and Mary Ellen Rogers have been working with Rod Copeland in completing
the volumes of paperwork required.
Community Connections
Our mission in becoming a viable community asset continues to grow. In February we hosted a music recital. Under
the direction of Mrs. Stephanie Boehms - music director for the Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico school district members of the community were privileged to attend the dress rehearsal for the IHSA Music Competition. The Crow
Fest committee held their 1st annual Crow Fest Trivia Night in March. Also in March a baby shower was held and in May,
a bridal shower. April brought us a presentation by Ron and Connie Koehn – “Lincoln’s Riverboat Connections”. A
slideshow of vintage Crow Fest pictures was presented on June 1st. The museum also served as the first stop for the
Crow Fest Golf Cart Poker Run that same day. In August, Rose Johnson’s (Neil Johnson’s mother) funeral and memorial
service were held. The memorial was held in the sanctuary followed by a luncheon in the fellowship hall upon return
from the cemetery. Over 60 individuals were in attendance. Ron and Connie Koehn gave another very informative
presentation on October 20th about the Lyndon Rangers and their involvement in the Civil War Battle of Perryville. Our
doors were open for Trick or Treating on Halloween with over 40 youngsters stopping by. The Lyndon UMC former
congregants held pizza parties in October and December. Connie Stern also offered several basket weaving classes in the
Fall. On December 8th we hosted our 2nd Annual Holiday Open House. Brian Wilson was Santa arriving at the museum
courtesy of the Lyndon Fire Department! Members of the historical society read a holiday story entitled – The Christmas
Wish. The little ones also participated in holiday crafting as they awaited Santa’s arrival on a beautiful snowy day! Dmitri
Feofanov - concert pianist - entertained the adults, performing both secular and sacred holiday classics. Over 50 children
were in attendance! Hot cocoa along with many Christmas cookies were served. Starting in March 2014 the facility will
be open on Wednesdays from 1:00 – 3:00pm. It is an opportunity for community members to visit the facility or to just
socialize. Basket weaving and scrapbooking workshops will also be scheduled during 2014. If you have a group who is
interested in using our facility for other workshops or meetings, please contact us.
Memorabilia
Mouse pads, coasters, beverage insulators, refrigerator magnets, note cards…these are just a few of the many items
available for purchase through the Lyndon Area Historical Society. A number of these are available at the Lyndon Village
Hall as well. Contact Mary Ellen (Hunt) Rogers (815) 778-4962 for further information.
Media and Marketing
Our website address is www.lyndonareahistoricalsociety.org Visit our site to contact us, to view our photo gallery and
calendar of events, or for information concerning the use of our facility for your next event. A membership form
is available at this site. You can also contact us at lyndonareahistoricalsociety@yahoo.com Call either Mary Ellen (Hunt)
Rogers (815-778-4962) or Kris Bielema (815-778-4801). We are on Facebook. We are generally showcased in the
following: The Echo, The Whiteside Sentinel, The Erie Review, The Fulton Journal, The Prairie Advocate, The Gazette,
and at thecity1.com. Look for us in the 2014 Northwest Illinois Visitor Guide at www.visitnorthwestillinois.com
A Special Thank You
We wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who have so generously given to the Lyndon Area Historical Society. To
those who have made monetary donations – thank you. To those Lyndon residents who have donated items – thank
you. To those businesses that have donated items for our fundraisers – thank you. To Dick Maronde III and Rod
Copeland for their professional expertise – thank you. To Tony Winstead, our web designer - thank you. To Jeff Steele
for our outdoor signs – thank you. To our most faithful board members for their invaluable contributions – thank you.
We are sustained through generosity, ingenuity, optimism, and elbow-grease. Annual membership dues and donations
are essential to our continued existence.
Regular Meetings: We meet the last Wednesday of every month at 6:00 pm at 405 4th St. West.(No meetings
in December or January; special meeting as needed in February)
Sincerely,
Carol (Richmond) Crady – president; Alicia (Attig) Wetzell – vice president; Mary Ellen (Hunt) Rogers – treasurer;
Kris Bielema - secretary
Board Members: Jim Boonstra, Dale Ann and Terry Cook, Lindy Greenwood ,Neil Johnson, Brady Nance (youth member),
Harold Rogers, Jr., Kodi Wright
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Lyndon Area Historical Society Membership Form
Return this portion with your membership dues/donations.
To make a monetary donation and/or to become a member, please mark the appropriate area and mail your check to our
address:
Lyndon Area Historical Society
PO Box 112
Lyndon, IL 61261
_____Single Membership ($10.00)
_____Family Membership ($20.00)
_____Monetary Donation/Memorial (Please specify the intent of donation in the space provided).
We are Always in need of volunteers. Please consider any of the following:
_____I am interested in becoming a board/committee member.
_____I am interested in helping the museum maintain specific visitor hours.
_____I am interested in cataloging artifacts.
_____I am interested in helping with painting, carpentry, yard work, housekeeping, etc.
_____I am interested in donating items to the museum.
_____Other____________________________________________________
NAME____________________________________________________________________________________
Address_________________________________City_______________________State____________Zip_________
Phone_______________________________________Email______________________________________________
Lyndon Area Historical Society
PO Box 112 - 405 4th Street West
Lyndon, IL 61261
Local Postal Patron
Lyndon, IL 61261