Honoring the rich history of rural western Illinois, and examining the problems we currently face
"Title IX wasn't just about athletics, it was about education. At that time, we had only a few female leaders. We needed a level playing field, everyone needed a fair shake." Robbi Ball Rhonda Garrett and Robbi Ball talk to CHS student athletes Kayleigh Harr (class of '24) and Kacie White (class of '27) On …
"I thought about leaving and then life happened and I stayed and I'm glad I did. I raised my kids here. I still teach here and I wouldn't want it any other way." Nicole Thum Mrs. Nicole Thum shows Cooper and Sam a picture of her elementary class at the Smithfield Red Brick School ON …
"We need to become informed activists. This Forgottonia movement lasted only a short time. That won't work. It will take years to implement change and we must be willing to expend that." Bill Edley ON THIS EPISODE As part of our Oral History in Forgottonia series, Cuba High School students Cadie & Courtney Churchill continue …
"The concept of Forgottonia was that this region was neglected by urban centers, but that wasn't really the problem. The problem was we don't engage at the community level like we should. Bill Edley ON THIS EPISODE As part of our Oral History in Forgottonia series, Cuba High School students Cadie & Courtney Churchill continue …
"Mining played a really big part in our town. At one time our population was 2,500, but now it's down to 1,200. This population is the biggest legacy of mining. Most people we know who live in our community have ancestors who worked in the mine." Dick Mowery, local mining enthusiast and former CHS educator …
“When small towns lose, we lose a piece of ourselves.” Marcus Boyer ON THIS EPISODE As part of our Oral History in Forgottonia series, Cuba High School juniors Cooper Leonard and Sam Thum explore the history and impact of the old Red Brick School in Smithfield, Illinois. Like many small towns, the school in Smithfield …
"I couldn't wait to leave, but then I couldn't wait to come home." Lori Noe ON THIS EPISODE As part of our Oral History in Forgottonia series, Cuba High School juniors Cooper Leonard and Sam Thum explore the history and impact of the old Red Brick School in Smithfield, Illinois. Like many small towns, the …
"I wanted to learn more about the Amish community to better understand them. I feel like this is important because they are also members of our community." Ella Bass, Cuba H.S. Senior Class '23 Amish owned & operated Heartland Bulk Foods located on the west end of Cuba, Illinois...one of our town's best kept secrets! …
*Western Illinois Museum Press Release The Western Illinois Museum is pleased to welcome the Cuba High School’s History Club to its indoor, Our Front Porch. Members of the club will share their insights on the history of Forgottonia that they learned through conducting oral histories with members of their community. Students and Joe Brewer, Cuba …
ON THIS EPISODE As part of our Oral History in Forgottonia series, Cuba High School junior Ella Bass hosts this episode about the 1992 Native American protests that took place at Dickson Mounds Museum in Lewistown, Illinois. Dickson Mounds Museum in Lewiston, IL harbors the history of indigenous people who lived in this region as …
Continue reading "Oral History of Forgottonia – The Protests at Dickson Mounds by Ella Bass"
The Forgottonia Project 