Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
Farley Music Hall, 37 Mill Street, Elsah, Illinois
The lecture, The West Point of the Air: Choosing a Site for the Air Force Academy, will describe the events of early 1954 when a federally appointed Selection Committee reviewed site nominations, one of which was an area that included Principia College, the Village of Elsah, and the New Piasa Chautauqua community.
The speaker, Tim Tomlinson, President emeritus of the Chautauqua Historical Society and Historic Elsah Foundation, notes “I’m fascinated by the decision making process in this important national matter. And, I continue to wonder why this naturally appealing area along the Great River Road was not the final selection for the West Point of the Air.”
This is the first lecture for 2023 in the Hosmer-Williams Lecture Series, a major contribution of the foundation to the understanding of local history. The series is underwritten, in part, by Liberty Bank of Alton, Illinois, by anonymous donors, and by the membership of Historic Elsah Foundation.
Below, you may find a recording of the presentation.