Historic Elsah Foundation

In 1852 at age 54, General James Semple (his Illinois Militia rank) moved his family from Vandalia to Jersey County, Illinois, and as he then said, “settled in the woods, at Jersey Landing,” a village Semple later renamed, Elsah.

In this picturesque region of rolling hills and majestic bluffs, four miles from the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, General Semple set about rebuilding his much depleted personal wealth. He purchased the valley in which Elsah Village was established and large tracts of forest and farm land on the bluffs above. He built a family home called Trevue (Tree View), and for the remaining 15 years of his life, this prairie entrepreneur successfully engaged in businesses in land development, freight transfer and farming.

Before moving to Elsah, General Semple had abruptly abandoned a long career in public service. He was a life-long Democrat who served three terms in the Illinois House of Representatives; as a diplomatic minister to New Granada (now Columbia in South America); in the Illinois Supreme Court; and in the U.S. Senate. Semple’s years in the Senate left him bitter and dissatisfied with the pettiness of party politics to the point that never again ran for elective office. In Semple’s mind, his achievements in public office had come at too high a price to his family and his fortune.

In “The Semples of Elsah,” local historian, George Provenzano will tell of lives of the General, his wife, children, and domestic servants at Trevue. This story will present new insights obtained from dozens of family letters written during the Civil War and Reconstruction. The letters reveal how the lives of the Semple parents changed as their children married, left home and started families of their own. Be prepared to hear some surprises.

“The Semples of Elsah” will be presented at Farley Music Hall in Elsah, Thursday, September 19, at 7:00 pm. The program is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required. Parking is available. Refreshments will be served following the lecture.

If you are unable to attend in person, you may also register to watch the presentation virtually.

This presentation is one of this year’s Hosmer-Williams Lectures sponsored by Historic Elsah Foundation and underwritten by Liberty Bank: A United Community Bank.

Attention media, print and otherwise, for additional information, contact George Provenzano, at [email protected].

The second lecture of the 2024 Hosmer-Williams Lecture Series was presented on Thursday, April 18 at 7 in the evening in Farley’s Music Hall, 37 Mill Street, Elsah, Illinois.

The lecture, Chautauqua: An American Icon was given by Tim Tomlinson, a past president of Historic Elsah Foundation and the Chautauqua Historical Society. Tomlinson has lectured locally and nationally on the topic of Chautauqua as an American social and cultural movement. He is the author of The Western Chautauqua: A History of New Piasa Chautauqua.

This year, 2024, is the 150th anniversary of the founding of the “Mother Chautauqua” in western New York State. The local Great River Road Chautauqua, a “sister Chautauqua” founded in 1885, will be conducting its 139th season. Tomlinson’s lecture will define the Chautauqua Movement for historic and contemporary context, looking for ideas that explain a continued relevance in a sesquicentennial year.

The Hosmer-Williams Lecture Series is a major contribution of Historic Elsah Foundation to the understanding of local history. The Series is underwritten, in part, by Liberty Bank of Alton, Illinois, by Federal Steel of East Alton, Il, by anonymous donors, and by the membership of Historic Elsah Foundation.

To view the lecture recording, watch below:

The first lecture of the 2024 Hosmer-Williams Lecture Series was presented on Thursday, March 21, at 7:00 in the evening in Farley’s Music Hall, 37 Mill Street, Elsah, Illinois. 

The lecture, Meeting Mike: Mammoth or Mastodon, was given by Andrew Martin, Professor of Archaeology and Anthropology at Principia College.

Some years ago, the partial skeletal remains of a Wooly Mammoth were discovered on the Principia campus. Nicknamed “Benny” after the worker who first came across the remains, the Mammoth was an important part of the college curriculum, ending with a major exhibit in one of the college’s science buildings. Now comes “Mike,” an ivory tusk recently uncovered like “Benny,” by chance, and once again an opportunity for student learning. Andrew Martin leads the effort at the college, in cooperation with Illinois State Museum staff. His lecture described what’s happened to date, and where the “Dig” is going.

Here is a recording of the lecture:

The Hosmer-Williams Lecture Series is a major contribution of Historic Elsah Foundation to the understanding of local history. The Series is underwritten, in part, by Liberty Bank of Alton, Illinois, by Federal Steel of East Alton, Il, by anonymous donors, and by the membership of Historic Elsah Foundation. 

We are happy to announce that the following Photographers have had one to three photographs accepted into the 2024 Photography Competition and Exhibit. The Exhibit opens April 6, 3-4pm, a Saturday, at the Elsah Village Museum, 26 Lasalle Street, Elsah, Il. Awards will be announced during the opening Reception and Awards Event at that time. The public, as well as friends and family of the entrants are invited to attend.

Joan Baker
Jennifer Bunting
Marion Gower
Melissa Johnston
Dan Kistler
Michael Matney
Marty McKay
Sam Odhiambo 
Rosa Renner
Carolyn Schlueter
Jeffrey Vaughn
Suzanne Vogel
Ray Watsek
Andrew Webb

We hope you’ll congratulate these creative individuals! They entered their images under one of two themes: Native Species, or Historical Abstraction. Some of them entered both categories. We’re delighted with their enthusiasm and creativity! Thirty outstanding images will make up a memorable exhibit! Photos will be on display at the museum, thru June 30.

Their images have been sent on to Carmen Troesser, the juror, who will determine the awards: Best of Show ($500, + a stay at Green Tree Inn), First ($250), Second ($100), and Third Place ($50) winners. The sponsors of awards, funding, and support come from the Historic Elsah Foundation, The Elsah Museum, The Village of Elsah, Green Tree Inn, and Inspiring Wooded Cottage.

Troesser is an editor and lifestyle photographer based in the Midwest. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in painting and graduated with a Master’s Degree in photojournalism from the University of Missouri in 1993. Troesser travels for assignments from her Chicago home base. In 2022 she was the Winner of the Julia Margaret Cameron Award. https://www.carmentroesser.com

_{Photo above by Dan Kistler, “Join Me,” 2023, manipulated processes.}