Greene County Historical & Genealogical Society

03/31/2026

We will be closed Friday April3, 2026 For the observance of Good Friday.

03/07/2026

NEWS
For Immediate Release 2026


For more information contact
Larry Gillingham 217/942- 6013

THE HENRY CUTHBERT TUNISON STORY:
YARD SALE PURCHASE RESURRECTS
WORLDWIDE FAME AND FORTUNE SAGA

CARROLLTON, IL - March 6 – When former Carrollton resident and now retired Godfrey IL attorney Philip Alfeld purchased a small world globe at a neighborhood yard sale last summer, little did he suspect it would tell a most interesting story of local (Greene County) boy making good. But it did! And that story will be told in the program portion of the March 15, 2026, meeting of the Greene County Historical & Genealogical Society.

The story was recently told in the September, 2025, issue of PIONEER TRAILS,
the Society’s official quarterly newsletter. It will now be told – in person – by Bill Tunison of Osceola, WI, great-great grandson of Henry Tunison.

The meeting will begin with a business session at 2 PM, followed by the Tunison program. It will be held at the Society’s historic Lee-Baker-Hodges House, located on the northwest corner of the Carrollton Public Square. Everyone is cordially invited to attend and there is no charge.

12/11/2025

Will Be Closed For Christmas And New Years December 24, 26, 31 And January 2
See You January 7, 2026

11/17/2025

Presentation About Eileen Cunningham

11/08/2025

The Greene County Historical Society
Will Be Closed November 26 & 28, 2025
For Thanksgiving

09/08/2025

Greene County Days 2025

09/03/2025

French WW1 Shell

09/03/2025

09/02/2025

BILL HOWLAND HONORED IN NEW
MILITARY DISPLAY AT GREENE
COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

CARROLLTON, IL – September 1 – We live among many heroes, and a special display to honor Sergeant First Class William “Bill” Howland, is on display at the Greene County Historical Society museum, just in timefor Greene County Days 2025.
The display is special, designed by the Society’s fashion curator, Dottie Day, and assisted by Society President John Langer. As they worked, they talked, not only to each other but to the uniformed mannequin so elegantly presented by them. Bill’s dress Army uniform, along with his many medals, almost bring to life his achievements for valor and meritorious service during the Korean War.
An infantry soldier, Bill was already deployed in Japan when the war broke June 25, 1950, so he was sent almost immediately into battle along the 38th parallel in central Korea. His story is told in newspaper accounts; his heroism is there for all to see from his many medals and patches that were so special.
Two medals in particular stand out – The Bronze Star Medal and The Purple Heart - and both are contained in a wall display case along with other medals and patches. Both medals were awarded March 9, 1953, and were authorized by the President of the United States.
The Bronze Star, fourth highest individual award for valor in the US Armed Forces, was first awarded in 1944, then made retroactive to December, 1941. Bill received the award for “heroism in ground combat,” which award was made to 30,359 recipients for service in the Korean War.
The Purple Heart, originated by General George Washington August 7, 1782, is now awarded to personnel serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard who are wounded or killed in action. Bill’s medal was awarded “for wounds received in action” on September 23, 1950.
Bill was originally from Mozier in Calhoun County, Illinois. Many folks in Greene
County remember him as a quiet man who worked well with his teammate, “Bud” Brinker at the Greene County Service Company. One can only think, however, when he was in combat, he was no meek and mild wallflower.
It’s time to re-tell Bill’s military story, and recognize his personification of General Washington’s intention – to honor the legacy of valor and dedication for all who serve in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
Visitors are welcome to visit the Greene County Historical Society September 5 and 6, 2025, and viewartifacts from all over the County. There is no charge for a tour.
The building, located on the northwest corner of the Carrollton Public Square, is on the National Register of Historical Places. The all-volunteer staff, visitors will agree, have created very special displays for this year’s Greene County Days celebration.

-o0o-

08/31/2025

GEN. V. P. CARLIN POST No.442
Department of Illinois, Grand Army of the Republic
Walter Keeley, S. V. C.
Samuel Garrett, J. V. C.
James Squire, Surgeon
John C. Berry, Chaplin
J. W. Postlewait, O. D.
John Carmody, O. G.
L. C. Campbell, S. M.
SanuelNaze, Q. M. S.
CARROLLTON, ILL. Nov. 18, 1905

This army cracker – known as Hard Tack – was tossed to some ladies from a regiment passing through on their way home from the clash of the war of the Great Rebellion, and secured by Mrs. Rodney P. Simonds, wrapped in the same paper and placed in the same hand satchel in which it has been kept to this date.
J. B. Hays, Commander

08/31/2025

PREPARATIONS AND CLUTTER AT
HISTORICAL SOCIETY DURING
GREENE COUNTY DAYS 2025

CARROLLTON, IL August 29 – For the first time in many years, volunteer staffers got to explore a second floor storage room this summer. Not yet renovated, the room is full of artifacts and historical items from years ago. These items have been donated by families committed to artifact preservation and accurate genealogy materials about their own family legacies.
In addition to seeing items not usually on display, visitors will also encounter some clutter. There is still plenty to see and a tour of the museum rooms, renovated a decade ago, are dusted, mopped and full of donated items in top condition.
New displays this year include a piece of hardtack from the Civil War, along with a hand-made soft leather purse and a brief account of how the items arrived here. There will also be a display of cigar boxes, dating to the days when Greene County had several cigar makers in operation.
In the entry foyer visitors will see a children’s roll top desk from the Bonnie and Elby King estate, and a homemade toy horse and cart finished by Sinnie M. Irwin of Linder Township on April 10, 1912.
Visitors are encouraged to look for a display ofPioneer Trails, the current Society newsletter. Also, look for the School Friendship Book completed by Glenda March, CHS Class of 1928 – amazing amount of information in these Friendship books!
A continuous running slide show, produced by staffer Gary Coates, shows scenes from the 1952 and ’53 Carrollton High School homecoming parades as shot by members of the John J. Eldred Family.
Greene County had a number of photo studios in various locationsdating from the mid nineteenth century, and some of their prints and photos are on display; the quality and professionalism of many of the photos are outstanding.
Everyone who comes out for Greene County Days activities are cordially invited to visit the Historical Society located in the historic Lee-Baker-Hodges House on the northwest corner of the Carrollton Public Square. It will be open to visitors on Friday, September 5 and Saturday, September 6, from 9 AM to 3 PM (or longer) both days.
Meet our volunteer staff, hear ourmany stories, buy a publication, become a member if you like – there is no charge for admission or a tour.

07/14/2025

NEWS
For Immediate Release 2025

For more information contact
Larry Gillingham 217/942-6013

McCULLY HERITAGE PROJECT
FEATURED PROGRAM AT GREENE
HISTORICAL SOCIETY JULY 20

CARROLLTON, IL - July 11 – Michelle Berg, director of the McCully Heritage Project in Kampsville, IL, will tell about the development of this destination recreational area located in the scenic hills and vales of Calhoun County. Her presentation will follow a brief business meeting scheduled to start at 2 PM on Sunday, July 20, 2025, in the historic Lee-Baker-Hodges House on the Carrollton Public Square.

The McCullyHeritage Project was started in the 1970s by the late Howard and Eva McCully, after they sold their St. Louis area plant nursery business and moved to Calhoun. Both passed away in the mid-1990s and are buried on site.

The 940-acre area offers miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, two ponds for fishing and turtle watching, a wetland, forests, native grasslands and natural beauty overlooks. Camping facilities, including the Watkins Place Cabin, are available to groups of nature lovers, but some do require a reservation.

The well-maintained property offers restrooms, cabin rentals or tent camping sites, each featuring a fire pit and picnic table. The entire property is located a mile south of Kampsville, just off Route 100. It is divided by Crawford Creek, with 110 acres on the north, and 830 acres on the south.

Everyone is cordially invited to attend this most interesting programat the Historical Society Museum and Library, located on the northwest corner of the Carrollton Square. There is no charge.