Jeff Ruyle, Elsah resident, presented, “Towboat Stories on the Mississippi,” on Thursday, September 25, at 7 p.m. at Farley Music Hall, 37 Mill Street, in Elsah. Jeff shared stories from his own experience as a deckhand for 20 years on the Mississippi River. Below is a recording of the presentation.
This presentation was one of this year’s Hosmer-Williams Lectures sponsored by Historic Elsah Foundation and underwritten by Liberty Bank: A United Community Bank.
Themes and Dates for 2026 have been announced!
“It’s the Little Things”
Portraits – People, Pets or Porches!
Find details including dates and registration cost here.
Featured image: Dan Kistler, Leaf Bundle, Best of Show, 2025
April 5, 3-4pm – 26 Lasalle St, Elsah, 62028
There were fifty-one entries in all, which arrived by the Jan 9th deadline! Twenty-seven images were accepted into the Museum Exhibit that opens April 5, with twelve photographers represented. Nine awards have been selected by Carmen Troesser, photographer and our Juror, out of Chicago. These awards range from Best of Show through 3rd Place and four Honorable Mentions, as well as a Youth Award – monetary awards accompany assigned honors.
Each image adheres to one of two themes in 2025: The Majesty of Trees, and Elsah Still Life. Exhibitors include: Joan Baker, Matt Kelly, Dan Kistler, Lauren Lloyd, Michael Matney, Marty McKay, Elise Marvin, Mary Odhiambo, Sam Odhiambo, Rosa Renner, Carolyn Schlueter, and Jeffrey Vaughn.
We hope everyone will come see these treasures of Elsah, either opening day, or any Saturday or Sunday, 1-4 pm, through June 28, the end of the exhibit.
Visit 2025 Historic Elsah Photo Exhibit page.
Featured image: Snow Trees, 2025, by Jeffrey Vaughn.
Brad Winn, Historian, presented a talk, “Lewis and Clark in Illinois,” on Thursday, March 6, at 7 p.m. at Farley Music Hall, 37 Mill Street, in Elsah, Illinois. Illinois was the point of departure for the two-and-half-year journey. The team spent more time in Illinois than any other state except North Dakota.
Winn taught at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, Illinois, winning Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Member in History and Humanities in 2022. He also served as Superintendent of the Lewis and Clark State Historical Site in Hartford, Illinois.
Here is a recording of the talk:
This presentation was one of this year’s Hosmer-Williams Lectures sponsored by Historic Elsah Foundation and underwritten by Liberty Bank: A United Community Bank.
Jason Stratman, Library Outreach Manager at Missouri Historical Society, presented a talk, “A visit to the 1904 World’s Fair,” on Thursday, January 30, at 7 p.m. He shared his expertise on this pivotal event for St. Louis. Almost 190,000 people attended just the opening day, and welcomed more than 19 million visitors in seven months. Stratman’s research includes the fair itself, and extends to many of the surrounding events.
“A visit to the 1904 World’s Fair” was presented at Farley Music Hall, 37 Mill Street, in Elsah, Thursday, January 30, at 7 p.m. The presentation was streamed live.
You may listen to an interview with Stratman on AdvantageNews. The interview took place on January 29, 2025.
This presentation was one of this year’s Hosmer-Williams Lectures sponsored by Historic Elsah Foundation and underwritten by Liberty Bank: A United Community Bank.
Here is a recording of Stratman’s presentation:
