Williamson County Illinois Historical Society

08/14/2026

As our record/genealogy specialist Charla was doing her thing, she came across these Williamson County Fair documents. We thought it was fitting to share today😁.

07/09/2026

Williamson Co Historical Society and Museum would like to thank John Marczewski and Colleen Allard for a recent donation of a headmasters desk out of Colp High School and three of Marion’s finest firefighters for packing it up to the third floor school room. The desk was in rough condition and had been unloved for 30 years, so before donating to WCHS John repaired and refinished it along with help from his grandson Quin. He also has the chair that goes with it that we will receive later. The desk is circa 1928 to 1953. John acquired the desk as payment for copier repair he did for Mimi Gentile. It is a beautiful addition to our Bob Jackson Memorial School Room home of our one room school exhibit along with Creal Springs College, Crab Orchard Academy, Brown’s Business College and many other school related items. More about Colp High in another post.

07/07/2026

Its rare I see these before GSSI😁

07/03/2026

Look for your pics at the link below.

https://onefinedayphotography.shootproof.com/gallery/100c95ef-01ca-46bb-9206-6d3dcbaa790d/home

See the comments below to find the link to your FREE OLD TIME JAIL photos from Marion Connects 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization Group June Third Thursday event.
Huge thank you to the Williamson County Illinois Historical Society for setting up the background and welcoming me to their museum!

06/29/2026

As we get ready to celebrate Americas 250th Birthday, we begin to think about the men and women who sacrificed to make this nation possible. If you have an ancestor(s) who served during the Revolution, please share in the comments❤️🇺🇸.

05/28/2026

We are overwhelmed with yearbooks!! We are selling for the low low price of $5, the books listed in the pictures. We will also ship to you for a fee to cover the cost. Please see the last photo for contact info!!

04/17/2026

❤️❤️❤️

02/21/2026

Boy Scout troop 21 of Marion toured the museum on February 12th, 2026 at 6:30 P.M. In attendance were about 15 boy scouts accompanied by about 16 parents and troop leaders. The scouts were conducted on a tour of the museum by WCHS President, Sam Lattuca and WCHS curator/coordinator, Sharon Vansaghi. The scouts were instructed about the many artifacts in the museum and how people used to have to conduct their everyday lives in work and play.

02/21/2026

Mary Jo Moore, age 83, passed away on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Jackson Purchase Medical Center, surrounded by her family. She was lovingly known by her grandchildren as “Sugar.”
Mary Jo was born on May 11, 1942, to the late William and Mary Edna Harper. She graduated from Marion High School in Marion, Illinois, in 1959. Later, she married C.W. Moore on March 25, 1961. He was the love of her life. They would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year.
Mary Jo was a member of the Lone Oak First Baptist Church of Paducah. She looked forward to attending the weekly worship service and Bible study. She belonged to the Lighthouse Sunday School class.
In earlier years, Mary Jo was a member of the Williamson County Historical Society and spent countless hours doing genealogical research and creating books for research purposes. She was a member of the society from 1974 through 2021 and over the years served as Vice President and Director on the board. She had a passion for finding and piecing together family history, as well as writing and publishing books. She recently donated some of her work to the McCracken County Public Library. Mary Jo enjoyed helping people and volunteered her time at Lourdes Hospital for several years.
Mary Jo is survived by her husband, C.W.; two daughters, Cristie (Jon) Wooten and Jennifer (David) Wallace, both of Paducah; four grandchildren, Brad Wooten of Louisville, Kentucky, Matt (Chelsey) Killman of Tilene, Kentucky, Allen Wallace, and D.J. Wallace, both of Paducah; and two great-grandchildren, C**t Killman and Madelyn Killman.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Donna Atkisson, and her brother Ronnie Harper.
A funeral service will be held at 1 P.M. on Wednesday, February 18th, 2026, at the Milner and Orr Funeral Home of Paducah, with Rev. Bob Martin officiating. Visitation will begin at 11 A.M. and continue until the funeral service begins. Burial will follow at the Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of gifts to the Williamson County Historical Society Museum and Library, 105 South Van Buren Street, Marion, Illinois 62959, or to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.

02/03/2026

The first quarterly meeting for 2026 was held at the Willimson County Historical Society museum/library on Sunday, February 1st, 2026. WCHS president Sam Lattuca started the meeting out by reviewing the current state of the museum and by recalling recent projects worked on, changes to the museum and items taken into the museum since the last meeting.
The guest speaker was Marion businessman, Jeff Mayer, who recounted his early interest in the downtown Marion area and how it has influenced his decisions to buy and restore numerous buildings in the downtown area. Mayer has completed remodeled the old Goodall building on the square into combination businesses and residential apartments that most Marion residents are aware of, in addition to owning properties on E. Jefferson and the old Duty and Hyde buildings in the 200 block of N. Market.
The WCHS museum/library is currently in its winter hours of operation which is open to the public on Saturdays only from 9:30 till 3:00 PM. It will resume its normal hours of operation on Wednesday thru Saturday from 9:30 till 3:00 PM on Wednesday March 4th. The public is invited to come and tour the museum at no charge during normal working hours or pursue their family genealogy.