PHS Show Choir at Community Coffee

Today was the monthly Community Coffee at the museum. The Princeville High School Show Choir performed during the coffee. Mr. Chris Delbridge, Choir Director, led the students in an outstanding performance. The Princeville Heritage Museum would like to thank PHS, Mr. Delbridge and the Show Choir for the entertainment. It was a special treat to have them perform during the coffee. The next community coffee is on January 11, 2012 from 8:00 am to 10:30 am. As you can see by the pictures, the community coffee is a great time to visit with friends and neighbors.







Below are some pictures of the PHS Show Choir. These students have been working hard all semester, coming in early in the morning to practice. If you haven't been to a performance, you need to go see them.

One Room Schools

As you know, the restored Akron Townhouse School is on the museum grounds. The school was built in 1900. The last class in the schoolhouse was in 1958. The building was moved to the museum grounds in 2004. The Akron Townhouse school is just one of many one room schools in the area. In the archives, the museum has many photos, school books, report cards, grade books and other memorabilia from area one room schools. Just recently, we received a donation of two undated photos from Hawley School. Fortunately, the students' names were written on the back.



The picture above was taken on the doorsteps of the school. The back row, left to right is LaVern Streitmatter, Raymond Newell, Iva Newell, Helen Gehrig. Next Row is Walter Gehrig, Clarence Hawley, Bernadine Streitmatter. Next Row is Ervin Martin, Alice Martin, Bernice Callery. Front row is Kathleen Callery, Nathan Martin, LeRoy Ehnle, Bobbie Berchtold.



The picture above must have been taken on a cold day!! The students identified in the photo are in the back row: Walt Gehrig, Helen Gehrig, Iva Newell, LaVern Streitmatter, Ivan Newell, Clarence Hawley, Bernadine Streitmatter. Front: Joe Callery, Kathleen Callery, Alice Martin, Nathan Martin, Bernice Callery, Bob Berchtold, Robert Ehnle, Ervin Martin.

If you are interested in the history of Peoria County One Room Schools, be sure to visit the Peoria County One Room Schools website at: www.peoriacountyoneroomschools.com

History of Boy Scouting in Princeville

This Sunday, October 23, there will be a program on The History of Boy Scouting in Princeville at the Princeville Heritage Museum. Steve Cantrell of Edelstein has done extensive research on Boy Scouting in Princeville and will be the guest speaker. Steve has loaned the museum some of his Boy Scout memorabilia to display. The program starts at 3:00 pm with desserts and coffee served after the presentation. This program is open to members and non-members. Please join us for this fun program!

Night At The Museum

Join the Princeville Heritage Museum for a Night At The Museum on September 17, 2011. Come enjoy dinner and live entertainment from President Abraham Lincoln and First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln. Tickets are $25 per person for HAP Members and $30 for Non-Members; $175 for table of 8 for HAP Members and $200 for table of 8 for Non-Members. Tickets are on sale now at the Museum or to order call 309-385-1916.

Heritage Harvest 2011

The 3rd Annual Heritage Harvest had a successful run this year. Kids were treated to Story Time by Lillie M. Evan Library, activites and games at the Akron Townhouse School, and a Kiddie Tractor Pull. The Pancake and Sausage Breakfast and Grill Lunch were both provided by the Princeville Lion's Club. There were a variety of vendors and displays that guests could be entertained with. Displays included: chainsaw carving by Tim Gill, horse-shoeing, wheat threshing, a blacksmith, saw mill demonstration, rescue demo, taxidermy display, a leather smith, and a Civil War Field Hospital!! Heritage Harvest would like to thank all its volunteers and sponsors who helped make this event possible!! Next years Heritage Harvest will be July 28, 2012.

May 31 is Peony Day in Princeville

Do you remember when Route 91 north of town was flanked by peony fields. They were the work of Edward Auten, Jr who was a well-known peony breeder. You can still find "Auten" peonies for sale which are named after Princeville's own Edward Auten. In 1981, Damon Griswold, Princeville Village President, signed a proclamation declaring the Village of Princeville as the "Peony Capital of the World". Do you have peonies growing in your yard? Did you know the history of Princeville and peonies? Above this post is an article from the May 27, 1981, Princeville Telephone and a picture of Edward Auten with a cutting of his favorite peony, Nippon Gold.

FFA Exhibit and Joe House Retirement Party

We are very excited about the upcoming retirement party for Mr. Joe House on Saturday, May 21, 2011 from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm at the Princeville Heritage Museum.

In honor of Mr. House's retirement, the museum will be debuting a special FFA Exhibit at the retirement party. We have received lots of photos, including the one above. Do you know what year this was and any of the people in the photo? Help us identify former FFA members and comment on this post if you know any of the names.

Were you a Princeville High School FFA member? The museum is taking items on loan for this exhibit. If you have any items you would like to loan the museum, call the museum or stop by. The exhibit will be on display through July 2011.

The retirement party is open to anyone who wants to celebrate with Joe. The party is sponsored by the Princeville FFA Alumni and Supporters. To RSVP for the party, please call the museum at 309-385-1916.

Annual Spring Festival & Easter Egg Hunt

This Saturday, April 23, is the annual Spring Festival and Easter Egg Hunt at the museum. The Easter Bunny will be here to meet your children and pose for pictures. There will be games, crafts and refreshments. The Princeville Lion's Club will be hosting their Easter Egg Hunt on the museum grounds. The hunt starts promptly at noon at the noon whistle. Be sure to be here in plenty of time to get lined up prior to the noon whistle! We look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday.

Akron Townhouse School 5K Run/Walk is Saturday, April 2 at 9:00 am

Print out the registration form and join us!! This is a fundraiser for the Akron Townhouse School.

Historic Photos

The archive volunteers at the museum are struggling to identify some old photographs. So, we thought if we posted them on the blog, then readers can help us identify some of these unknown photos.
The photo above is a recent donation. The photo was taken by a photographer by the name of Kegebein who had a studio in Princeville. Please email us if you know where this house is located. On the back of the photo, "Fall 1901" is written.

UPDATE: This house is currently the Hammitt Hott Funeral Home on the corner of Walnut and High St. The home has undergone many renovations.

Wine and Chocolate Tasting - February 12, 2011

Princeville Heritage Museum is hosting the 2nd Annual Wine and Chocolate Tasting on Saturday, February, 12, 2011. Tickets go on sale January 17th. Tickets are $20 per person ($15 for museum members) and are available at Princeville Heritage Museum and Princeville State Bank. Advanced tickets only. Limited Seating.

Guest are invited to enjoy and evening of sweet endulgence at the 2nd Annual Wine and Chocolate Tasting. Enjoy a selection of wine, chocolates and apetizers while listening to live Jazz Music by the Bradley Jazz Combo. There will be a cash bar and live auction to raise funds for the museum!

This event sold out last year....so buy your tickets early.

Reserve your tickets on FACEBOOK!