Honoring the rich history of rural western Illinois, and examining the problems we currently face
"Vulnerable populations were already feeling the pressure” in an economy that saw a shrinking of middle-wage jobs... the middle class has begun to disappear, and fewer workers are able to meet their needs & the needs of their families with wages earned from 40 hours of work each week." -Illinois Future of Work Task Force, …
Continue reading "Forgottonia at Work: Future Trends and Community Impact"
"Since 2005, the U.S. has lost more than ¼ of its newspapers and is on track to lose ⅓ by 2025." ON THIS EPISODE On this episode we are pleased to share some interview sound bites from students in our current events class at Cuba H.S. Their work is featured on our inaugural monthly newsletter …
Continue reading "Forgottonia Gazette: Rural Youth Reporting, Issue #1 (Podcast Edition)"
"Work ethic is instilled in us and sticks with us throughout our lives. This county also comes together when something happens. We’ve suffered through a lot of loss as a county but we always persevere." Patrick O'Brian, Fulton County Clerk and Recorder ON THIS EPISODE Should our local government have political parties? When and where …
"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 …
"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 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! …
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 …
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"
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 …
The Forgottonia Project 