Behind the Project

Our project was recently featured on the Illinois Humanities program “Distributions People, Places, and Power – Fulton County Edition” (Our segment plays from 7 min – 16 min).

Welcome to The Forgottonia Project! Our podcast is dedicated to exploring the unique stories, challenges, and innovations rooted in rural western Illinois. The title, “Forgottonia,” nods to the 1970s satirical movement that highlighted the region’s sense of neglect by state and federal policymakers.  Even decades later, this region is still a powerful place to explore how history, community, and education all connect.

The focus of our podcast encompasses the following key themes:

  1. Local Western Illinois History
    We explore all types of captivating stories of our region, from the history of secession movements (IL: A State Apart) to Unforgettable Forgottonians and events that shaped the region. Our episodes often incorporate “You Are There”-style audio dramas, immersing listeners in pivotal moments in western Illinois history.

  2. Social Commentary & Regional Literature
    Engage with ideas and discussions inspired by regional authors, most notably Dr. John Hallwas. Episodes like our On Community series draw on Hallwas’ reflections to address broader questions of identity, belonging, and resilience in small-town America.

  3. Rural Education Innovation
    How can we rethink education to better serve rural students? This series explores bold ideas like Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), artificial intelligence, 4-day school weeks, and the value of Humanities-centered approaches. We spotlight solutions that connect tradition with modernity to reimagine what’s possible for rural schools.

  4. Oral History of Forgottonia

    This series features high school-led interviews with community members and historians, focusing on rural history topics that resonate with students. Done in partnership with the National Council for History Education (NCHE) as part of their “Rural History in America” experience, these episodes amplify the voices and stories of rural residents while fostering historical inquiry among the next generation.

Many of our interviews are student-led and have featured conversations with experts and storytellers such as:

  • Tim Kasser, Knox College psychologist and author of The High Price of Materialism
  • James Loewen, sociologist and author of Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism
  • Dr. John Hallwas, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Western Illinois University and the region’s most prolific author
  • Trenton Ellis, rural sociologist at Black Hills State University and former Forgottonia resident
  • Chris Merrett, Director of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
  • Chris Vallillo, local musician, historian, and unofficial maestro of Forgottonia
  • Bill Edley, former Congressman representing the Forgottonia region
  • And many more!

Through interviews and storytelling, The Forgottonia Project invites listeners to engage with the rich history and culture of western Illinois. Together, we honor the past while seeking solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow.