CUMBERLAND COUNTY, ILLINOIS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Cumberland County Historical
Society was formed in November 1964. A group of people interested in
the history of the county met at the Municipal Building with Prank
Adams, then a teacher at the high school, as the leader and decided to
become active in county study. The first few years meetings were held
monthly at different parts of the county; Neoga. Toledo, Greenup,
Jewett, Hazel Dell, and Union Center. Much information was gained
from older residents of each section. Tours were made to different
parts of the county, which resulted in the east and west becoming
better acquainted (the county is 25 miles wide). One enjoyable day was
a dinner and tour of the old Winnett Hotel before it was razed.
The Historical Society collected items for a museum and has a very
interesting museum in the basement of the city library. In 1973 the
Society succeeded in buying the old depot and moved it to Haughton
Park. In 1976 a Bicentennial Grant was secured to help with the
expenses of restoring the old structure.
There is also a museum al ihe depot.
The following is a list of some of the charter members of the
Cumberland County Historical Society: Eliiabeth Bowman, Berdie Bensley,
Ellen Decker. Estaline Miller. Allen Culrighl, Joan Easton, Bill and
Shirley Easton, Alfrieda Kingery, Frank Adams.Grace Haven, Mary Holt,
Mary Louise Walk, Grace Cutright, Blanche Icenogle, Violet McClandish,
Martha Hayden, and Olive Holsapple. Other more recent members include
Lela and Marion Underwood. Ina Dillier, Mary Holt, Leonora Sperry,
Edith Glenn, Wayne Sidwell, Thursa Lyons, Dorothy Albert (current
president), John D. Cowger, Vivian DeMoss, Bobbie Goodman, Helen
Hayden, Pal Hayden, Millie Lee Gentry Lindsay, Marie Tiemann, Andrew
Tiemann, Waneta Catey, Graciela Wison, Patsy Sanders, Laverna Thomas,
Verna Tilus, Judy Timm. Helen Orndorff, Leonora Sperry, Isa Winneil,
Edith Allison, and Lena Sherrick were also charter members, as were
Judy Wilson and probably Paul Carr. Lucille Carr is also a recent new
member.