Illinois Valley Cultural Heritage Association

Imagine our world without history. It seems a very bleak place. History tells us where we have been and helps guide us to where we are going. It defines who we are as people and as a country.

 

In the Lower Illinois Valley, we are lucky enough to walk with history. The presence of the families that migrated to this area and shaped this great country are still here today. It is our duty to honor them and preserve vestiges of our fore fathers to ensure their survival for future generations.

 

The goal of the Illinois Valley Cultural Heritage Assoc. has always been to save what history we have left and to promote it so that it may be shared with others.

 

Today, we stand at a cross roads with many of our local historic sites in extreme disrepair. How much would you say your local cultural heritage is worth? We believe it to be priceless. We need you to become a part of history. We have set forth a re-stabilization plan for the James J Eldred House Historic Site witch includes finishing the tuck pointing project on the house exterior, repairing and/or replacing and painting deteriorated areas of the exterior wooden trim doors and windows, replacing main level subfloors, rebuilding the front porch. This is all on top of the tuck pointing and new roof we installed this fall.

 

Now, all of this comes at a price.  In order to make all this happen we are going to ask 200 people, members, business, clubs, etc. who have an interest vested into our community to donate $100. When you donate, your name will be placed on a plaque inside the Eldred House signifying your commitment to this cause.  All donations are greatly appreciated and tax deductable. Together we can save the places that matter most and Build History. You may send your donation to Eldred House Fund, Rural route 1 Box 135, Eldred IL, 62027.

Quilted TRAIL

Quilted is a program developed by the Illinois Valley Cultural Heritage Association and its volunteers to encourage the development and promotion of large colorful quilt blocks placed on historical farm buildings and unique business/community buildings.

 

The Greene County Quilted Trail is modeled after other barn quilt trails across the mid-west. This is only the second trail in Illinois the other being in Kankakee County. In the planning stages for over two years, we have committed to a three year minimum participation on this program  with a chance to extend it if interest continues. In 2010 we plan to grow the barn quilts to include historic barns and silos made from White Hall Vitrified tile and in 2011 to include community quilts like the one that can be seen on Frank Hopkins Barrow Block building in Roodhouse.  

Objectives

· Preserve our agricultural and cultural heritage.

· Promote Agra-tourism.

· Stimulate economic development.

· Increase value and pride in our local rural heritage.

· Help celebrate Greene County Days.

Activities

· Display quilts on historic rural buildings in highly visible places. Assist building owners with quilt selections and share costs/supplies as resources permit. Minimum three year IVCHA commitment to program.

· Dedicate section of accessivcha.com to the quilted trail.

· Publish and distribute quilted brochure annually to include new quilted buildings/trails.

· Conduct trail of new quilted buildings weekend after labor day annually.

eJugsg

Jugs, a 2010 celebration of the stoneware industry of Greene County Illinois, will be an extension of the IVCHA quilted trail. This celebration will culminate with a Quilted Trail Guide book dedicated to the history of the Greene County Stoneware Industry and a Quilted Trail of Barns and or silos made of White Hall vitrified stoneware tile.

 

As with the original Quilted Trail, the Jugs Quilted Trail will boast colorfully designed quilts mounted in scenic/historic spaces and sponsored by local business/organizations.

 

The Jugs book will host the familiar articles that have become staples in our fall booklets:

· Becoming Greene, the stories of Greene County Families journeys to the County.

· Lost!, the annual list of local historic buildings that were demolished.

· Greene Style, a tutorial of typical Greene County architectural styles.

To mention a few.

White Hall Sewer Pipe and Stoneware Co.