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After 12 years of leadership, Henry County Historical Society president Roger Anderson is retiring.
“I’ve tried to be replaced the past three years, and I just made up my mind maybe the fourth time’s a charm. If it’s not, I’m out anyway,” said Anderson, lightheartedly. “I’m hoping someone comes forward. If not, we’ll just have to put out a sign saying ‘Closed until we find a president.’”
Members of the historical society operate the Henry County Historical Museum in Bishop Hill.
“The visitors who come always say that it’s a wonderful museum. They like the way all of the items are laid out and displayed,” said Anderson.
“The visitors say, ‘You must have a lot of visitors,’ but we don’t. We must be a secret place, because we don’t get the traffic we’d like,” he said.
The Henry County Historical Museum is located in a former school house.
“We’ve got so many things — a doctor’s office, a lawyer’s office, an old school room. It’s hard to explain. It’s a place you just have to see for yourself,” said Anderson.
The museum, located at 202 S. Park Street in Bishop Hill, is away from the main attractions in the community, which Anderson said can be a drawback.
“We sit in the southwest corner of Bishop Hill. A lot of people don’t like to get off the main street. We’ve always wanted to find a way to attract more visitors to the museum,” he said.
Anderson first joined the historical society as a way to follow in his father’s footsteps. “My dad was a director, and when my mom got ill, he stepped out and I stepped in,” explained Anderson. “Then I got asked to be president.”
In his more than decade of leadership, historical society members have added new furnaces and air conditioners to the museum.
Anderson said he’s also enjoyed showcasing previously unseen historical items.
“I’ve liked digging out some of the things that have been set aside for years, cleaning them up and getting them visible for visitors.”
“We had a single cylinder external combustion steam engine that sat in hiding for many years, and we got that back in working condition. It was a very exciting project. We also had a windmill we gathered parts for and erected at the museum,” he explained.
After 12 years of leadership, Henry County Historical Society president Roger Anderson is retiring.
“I’ve tried to be replaced the past three years, and I just made up my mind maybe the fourth time’s a charm. If it’s not, I’m out anyway,” said Anderson, lightheartedly. “I’m hoping someone comes forward. If not, we’ll just have to put out a sign saying ‘Closed until we find a president.’”
Members of the historical society operate the Henry County Historical Museum in Bishop Hill.
“The visitors who come always say that it’s a wonderful museum. They like the way all of the items are laid out and displayed,” said Anderson.
“The visitors say, ‘You must have a lot of visitors,’ but we don’t. We must be a secret place, because we don’t get the traffic we’d like,” he said.
The Henry County Historical Museum is located in a former school house.
“We’ve got so many things — a doctor’s office, a lawyer’s office, an old school room. It’s hard to explain. It’s a place you just have to see for yourself,” said Anderson.
The museum, located at 202 S. Park Street in Bishop Hill, is away from the main attractions in the community, which Anderson said can be a drawback.
“We sit in the southwest corner of Bishop Hill. A lot of people don’t like to get off the main street. We’ve always wanted to find a way to attract more visitors to the museum,” he said.
Anderson first joined the historical society as a way to follow in his father’s footsteps. “My dad was a director, and when my mom got ill, he stepped out and I stepped in,” explained Anderson. “Then I got asked to be president.”
In his more than decade of leadership, historical society members have added new furnaces and air conditioners to the museum.
Anderson said he’s also enjoyed showcasing previously unseen historical items.
“I’ve liked digging out some of the things that have been set aside for years, cleaning them up and getting them visible for visitors.”
“We had a single cylinder external combustion steam engine that sat in hiding for many years, and we got that back in working condition. It was a very exciting project. We also had a windmill we gathered parts for and erected at the museum,” he explained.
Members keep the museum open from May through October. The group also participates in annual events in Bishop Hill.
The Henry County Historical Society has approximately 100 members, but Anderson said it’s an aging organization.
“Our membership decline is faster than our increase over the years. The younger people just don’t seem to have an interest or they’re so involved in other activities they don’t have the time,” he said.
A single yearly membership in the organization is $10. An annual family membership is $15.
“We’d love to see more people interested, definitely,” said Anderson, who added he’s also hoping to find someone interested in serving as president.
“I’m willing to stay on as a helper, but I hope someone does come forward,” said Anderson, who has announced May 1 will be his last day as president.
For more information about the Henry County Historical Society, or to become a member, write to P.O. Box 48, Bishop Hill, IL 61419.
