Jacksonville Area Museum - History and Legends

During the summer of 1951, Mary Ann DuBois Armstrong took a summer job in the Occupational Therapy Department at the Jacksonville State Hospital. Her job entailed providing organized daily activities for a group a patients.

This podcast discusses her work, and the special relationship with a reclusive resident named Alma.

The interview was conducted in 2021 with Laura Marks, Mary Ann's daughter.

Topic: Changing care and attitudes toward mental care

Roy Wright was an employee at the Jacksonville State Hospital from 1935 until after 1972 when this interview was recorded. His jobs included attendant, dietary department, affiliate nurse, assistant chief nurse, chief nurse, and eventually administration. He discusses the changing methods in patient care and treatment, changes in community attitudes toward mental illness, and changes in living conditions and staff in the hospital.

This recording was done October 6, 1972 by interviewer Roger Streitmatter.

This historic recording is courtesy of University of Illinois-Springfield Archives and Special Collections. This is one of many recordings from 1972 from various employees of the institution.

Flo Lasley was a recreational therapist the Jacksonville Developmental Center, beginning her career in 1932. She discusses her career and duties, patient recreation, volunteer programs, the hospital greenhouse, farm, epidemics, and employee conditions. The interview was recorded on October 13, 1972, by Rodger Streitmatter.

This historic recording is courtesy of University of Illinois-Springfield Archives and Special Collections. This is one of many recordings from 1972 from various employees of the institution.

Reggie Biggs worked at the Jacksonville Developmental Center for 20+ years in the painting and maintenance departments, beginning in 1985. He shares his stories and experiences working at the institution, and his memories of the places and people he encountered.

The Soap Box Derby racing competition was once a popular yearly event in Jacksonville in the mid-20th century. Local boys would hand build gravity-fed cars that would race down city streets in organized competitions. The winners could then compete in national competitions in Ohio. Fred Engelbach discusses growing up in Jacksonville, and his memories of building and competing in races for a handful of years during his youth.

Jones Meat & Locker has been in business for 80 years in 2023 in the Jacksonville area, spanning 3 generations of the Jones family. Terry and Marcy Jones discuss the history of the business, and how it has changed during the decades it has served Jacksonville and the surrounding area.

Ready to go back in time? The museum is pleased to present a recording of the first 30 minutes of the premier broadcast WJVO Radio serving the Jacksonville, Illinois area. They went live on the air for the first time in September, 1986.

You will hear the staff, advertisers, music, and even a politician from that time. Enjoy the throwback to 1986!

Ben Cox discusses the interesting story of B.B. King performing at Annie Merner Chapel at MacMurray College in the spring of 1970. Ben explains how this world-famous act was secured, and what his research has uncovered about the performer's visit to the Jacksonville area.

Todd Stephens discusses his father's legacy, accomplishments, and challenges during his tenure as the MacMurray College President from 1980-1986.

President Stephens and his family came to MacMurray from Wofford College where he had been dean of the college and vice-president for academic affairs. Football was added to the school's athletics program during his tenure at Mac, and the college also began a partnership with the Illinois Department of Corrections to offer post-secondary education programs for inmates at the Jacksonville and Lincoln Correctional Centers. He and his wife concentrated much energy on building relationships with the Jacksonville community — educationally, economically, and culturally. The Stephens era also saw the creation of a program for gifted children that achieved national recognition. Stephens left in 1986 to return to his native South Carolina.

This episode talks with Bob Freesen, who built a successful construction business, Freesen Inc, in West Central Illinois. He discusses growing up on a farm, his time spent in Europe during World War II, and his notable philanthropy efforts.

In celebration of bringing a stable water supply to Jacksonville, the city held a Miss Pipeline Contest/Pageant. Sonnie Heyer discusses her memories of participating in that event, and growing up during that time in Jacksonville in the 1950s.

Judge David Bone discusses his time as a high school and college basketball star, and how that transitioned to the challenges of serving in Vietnam. Program note: The basketball section of the podcast runs from 0:00 - 24:00 minutes, and the stories of Vietnam start at 24:00. 

Helen Baldwin has been a fixture in the Jacksonville community for nearly her entire life. She discusses her history in education, starting as a Jacksonville grade school student during WW II, up to her career as a principal in the same local school system. After her retirement, she became a huge force in city politics, organizations and boards that helped shaped our community for decades.

Dan Kindred is a staple in Jacksonville, owning and operating the popular 'Don's Place' tavern in Jacksonville for 40 years; 1982-2022. In this podcast, Dan discusses how he originally purchased Don's Place, the challenges and opportunities of running the tavern, and the popular promotions, including the well-known Crab Races. 

Illinois Stories was the premier program about the people and places of Central Illinois. The host, Mark McDonald, created 1200+ episodes for the central Illinois PBS stations (WSEC, WMEC, WQEC). These programs are sure to become a time capsule of this era to future historians. Mr McDonald talked with the Jacksonville Area Museum about his early career, the process for creating Illinois Stories, and the abrupt end to his beloved PBS program.

A second installment of stories from those who worked at J Capps and Sons, Ltd in Jacksonville, Illinois. Interviews include Terry Maggart, Peggy Clemens, Judy Cannon, Tom Holmes, Mildred Holmes, and George Murphy. 

George Murphy describes his experience working at J Capps and Sons clothing factory in Jacksonville, Illinois in the 1950s. He also talks of his participation in a worker's strike at the factory.  This episode was recorded in spring 2022. 

David Bone talks about his father, local physician Dr E.C. Bone. Dr Bone was a well-known physician in the Jacksonville area, serving with many organizations and boards in the Jacksonville area.

Tom Schierl discusses the fascinating history and operations of one of Jacksonville's ongoing industries - the Carnation/Nestle coffee creamer plant. Tom was part of the team that helped build the plant, and became part of the ongoing operations team until his retirement. 

African American historian Ruth Linear discusses growing up in the 1940s  & 50s in Jacksonville. We hear her experiences and opinions on what  is was like during that time period, and her experience as a historical  interpreter.

This episode interviews Russell Scofield, Jacksonville  Postmaster from 1974-1995. Mr Scofield was the last postmaster of the  building of the current Jacksonville Area Museum at 301 East State in  Jacksonville before it moved to it's current location on the  Jacksonville square.