Honoring the rich history of rural western Illinois, and examining the problems we currently face
"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 …
"Social media has opened up a whole new world for LGBTQ + youth. I didn't have any of that growing up in the 80s and 90s." Libby Lane, Deputy Director of the Rural Assembly ON THIS EPISODE Cuba High School sophomore Amber Cannon shares their interview with Libby Lane. Libby is the Deputy Director of …
"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! …
"I urge all patriots to sustain the Government in its efforts to vindicate the Constitution." Congressman John A. Logan, a southern IL politician and Civil War General Episode #3 - The Illinois Confederates (1861) In the tumultuous times of the American Civil War, Illinois found itself at a crossroads. Political heavyweights like John A. Logan …
Continue reading "Illinois: A State Apart – Episode #3 – The Illinois Confederates (1861)"
"Three fourths of the inhabitants of Illinois proper are a totally different sort of people. They have numerical superiority. The most unreasonable and ill-grounded prejudices against us exist among them. We are the powerless and our voice is if not unheard certainly unheeded in the legislative councils of the State. Whether designedly or not almost …
Continue reading "Illinois: A State Apart – Episode #2 – The Rockford Delegation (1846)"
"If her commerce is to be confined to that great artery of communication, the Mississippi, which washes her entire border, and to its chief tributary on the south, the Ohio, there is a possibility that her commercial relations with the south may become so closely connected…. In the event of an attempted dismemberment of the …
Continue reading "Illinois: A State Apart – Episode #1 – Nathaniel Pope (1818)"
"We discover who we are face to face and side by side with other people, in work, love, and learning." Robert Bellah ON THIS EPISODE This episode explores the power of SOCIAL Connections and its impact on community. Our post-pandemic world has revealed the damage that isolation has on each of us. Are we social …
Continue reading "Are We Social Animals? Exploring the Power of Social Connections"
How do we follow our dreams and be all that we can be without adequately fulfilling our civic responsibilities to the community as a whole? "The unique spiritual mission of America” demanded a positive, welcoming approach to immigrants." Mary Antin, The Promised Land ON THIS EPISODE This episode explores whether or not American society is …
"Instead of volunteering and getting-to-know each other, community-building citizens who once typified this nation…Americans have become privatized, atomized, focused within their property lines." Cited by John Hallwas, On Community: A Crucial Issue, a Small Town, and a Writer's Experience ON THIS EPISODE Our topic today is entitled “A Nation of Strangers.” This episode serves as …
Continue reading "Are We a Nation of Strangers Living Amidst a Fading Sense of Place?"
"The best ideas are going to come from your generation...it's time to be innovative to address these issues. Action starts with you." Tara Rumler, The 1024 Movement ON THIS EPISODE We are pleased to share this interview with Tara Rumler of the 1024 Movement. Tara is a native of Forgottonia whose work has brought her …
Continue reading "How the 1024 Movement is Helping Youth Prioritize their Mental Health"
The Forgottonia Project 