10 Obstacles Facing Community Builders: An Introduction to our “On Community” Series

"We live in an unprecedented era, when community is under siege from a variety of forces, & the negative ramifications of that are continually mounting." John Hallwas, On Community: A Crucial Issue, a Small Town, and a Writer's Experience ON THIS EPISODE We begin our series on the book "On Community: A Crucial Issue, a …

DND Minipod – Chapter 4: Hollywood Westerns & Primary Sources

ON THIS EPISODE This Dime Novel Desperados MINI-POD profiles a Hollywood Western & primary sources that Dr. Hallwas used to write the book. We recommend first listening to the episode this MINI-POD accompanies: Chapter 4: Law & Order and Prison Life HOLLYWOOD WESTERN “High Noon” (1952) starring Gary Cooper, Grace Kelly, & Lloyd Bridges. QUESTIONS …

Cuba High School’s History Club visits Our Front Porch, Sunday, March 19, 2023, 2:00 to 3:30 pm

*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 …

Oral History of Forgottonia – The Protests at Dickson Mounds by Ella Bass

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 …

Oral History of Forgottonia – How Fulton County Was Divided During the Civil War: Jayson Stead’s Interview with Tim Roberts, WIU History Professor & author of “This Infernal War”

ON THIS EPISODE Continuing our Oral History in Forgottonia series, Cuba High School junior Jayson Stead once again takes the microphone to explore Fulton County during the Civil War. In this episode, Jayson shares his conversation with Dr. Tim Roberts about his Civil War book This Infernal War: The Civil War Letters of William & …

Oral History of Forgottonia – Fulton County, Abe Lincoln, and the Civil War: Jayson Stead’s Interview with Rick Klinedinst

ON THIS EPISODE As part of our Oral History in Forgottonia series, Cuba High School junior Jayson Stead interviews local Lincoln enthusiast Rick Klinedinst, about Fulton County during the Civil War. In his day job, Mr. Klinedinst serves as the president of the MidAmerica National Bank. He is also passionate about history and has even …

Oral History of Forgottonia – Getting to Know Forgottonia’s Governor: Cadie & Courtney Churchill Interview with John Marshall

"They needed a spokesperson. Neal was ideal because he was a great speaker, he was highly intelligent...and he was kind of a ham actually. He loved to talk in front of people." -John Marshall (friend of Neal Gam, Forgottonia's Governor) ON THIS EPISODE As part of our Oral History in Forgottonia series, Cuba High School …

Oral History of Forgottonia – Mining in Western Illinois: Braxton Humphrey’s Interview with David Lidwell

ON THIS EPISODE "The two most dangerous occupations were agricultural, and mining. I was raised on a farm and worked on the mines." David Lidwell As part of our Oral History in Forgottonia series, Cuba High School junior Braxton Humphrey interviews former miner David Lidwell, about his knowledge and experience working in the mining industry. …

Oral History of Forgottonia – Experiencing a Rural School Closure: Cooper Leonard’s Interview with Retired Principal Daryle Coleman

"The community did the best they could with that school, rather than let it sit vacant." Daryle Coleman ON THIS EPISODE As part of our Oral History in Forgottonia series, Cuba High School sophomore Cooper Leonard interviews Retired principal, Daryle Coleman, about her experience with the closure of the Red Brick School in Smithfield, Illinois. …

Oral History of Forgottonia – Dr. Francis Regnier: The Forgotten Hero of New Salem, by Amber Cannon

"Don't always look into famous people, look into people that helped a person become so well known." Amber Cannon ON THIS EPISODE As part of our Oral History in Forgottonia series, Cuba High School freshman Amber Cannon hosts this episode about Dr. Francis Regnier; the forgotten hero of New Salem. Most folks know a lot …