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.