Illinois State Historical Society facts for kids
The Illinois State Historical Society (ISHS) is a group that helps people learn about the history of Illinois. It's a special kind of organization called a nonprofit. This means it uses its money to help its cause, not to make a profit for owners. It was started in 1899.
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Discovering Illinois' Past
The Illinois State Historical Society was created to find and share old stories and facts about Illinois. When it first started, its main goal was to collect and publish materials on paper. These materials were about Illinois' early history.
Early Focus: Pioneer Stories
Many people were very interested in how Illinois became a state. They wanted to know about the years before Abraham Lincoln became president in 1860. This included American Civil War veterans and the grandchildren of early settlers. The Society helped them learn about these important times.
How the Society Changed
Over time, the Society's focus changed. It moved from just publishing books to creating periodicals and holding special meetings called symposia. These events gave historians and experts a place to share their new discoveries.
As more paved roads were built in Illinois in the early 1900s, the ISHS started to build and care for historic markers along state highways. These markers help people remember important places and events. The Society mostly focused on the pioneer days and the 1800s.
Becoming Independent
For a long time, the ISHS worked closely with the Illinois state government. But in 1997, it became fully independent. It now works as a private sector organization. This means it operates on its own, without direct government control.
What They Do Today
Today, the ISHS still works hard to share Illinois history. As of 2014, it publishes two main things:
- The Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society: This is a scholarly magazine that comes out four times a year.
- Illinois Heritage: This is a newsletter with short history stories, published every two months.
The Society also holds meetings and symposia. They offer small prizes and scholarships too. These help people continue to study Illinois history. They are now focusing more on the social history of the 1900s in Illinois. This includes how people lived and interacted during that time.
