St. Clair County Historical Society

St. Clair County Historical Society St. Clair County Historical Society educates, preserves and disseminates the fascinating story of St. Clair County, Illinois.
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Reading an 800 page book with no pictures in it at the beach?Yeah, us too.Join us to find kindred spirits with a passion...
09/02/2026

Reading an 800 page book with no pictures in it at the beach?

Yeah, us too.

Join us to find kindred spirits with a passion for the past.

Join here: STCCHS.org/join

In 1945, $1.20 got you and your date into the Fireman’s Ball at the Ainad Temple in East St. Louis.Started in 1913, the ...
09/02/2026

In 1945, $1.20 got you and your date into the Fireman’s Ball at the Ainad Temple in East St. Louis.

Started in 1913, the event raised money for the families of firemen killed or injured on duty.

Also, check out the ad for Kassly Mortuary, Ltd. on the back.

Donated in 2025.

Postcard: Theising Collection, SIUE.

Ainad Shriners Official Site East St. Louis Historical Society

The Haunted Belleville Walking Tour returns for a thrilling ninth edition!Familiar haunts with new tales. New places wit...
09/01/2026

The Haunted Belleville Walking Tour returns for a thrilling ninth edition!

Familiar haunts with new tales. New places with harrowing histories. It’s a can’t miss evening of chills and spellbinding stories.

Tickets go on sale next Tuesday, September 8th.

For tickets and more information, call 618/234-0600 or click here: https://buytickets.at/stclaircountyhistoricalsociety/2354261

Days before the elections in November of 1896, Illinois Governor John Peter Altgeld spoke to a mass meeting in East St. ...
09/01/2026

Days before the elections in November of 1896, Illinois Governor John Peter Altgeld spoke to a mass meeting in East St. Louis.

He was campaigning for reelection and, to read the newspaper account, was headed for an easy win amidst a bruising campaign.

That was not to be and Altgeld lost to John R. Tanner.

Altgeld, an attorney by training, served as a circuit court judge in Cook County before running for governor in 1892.

An immigrant from Germany, Altgeld enjoyed wide support among the German American community here and across the state. To date, he’s Illinois’s only foreign-born governor.

Altgeld supported and signed workplace safety, child labor, and women’s rights legislation. He also pardoned three organizers of the 1886 Haymarket Affair. He also refused to use force to break up the Pullman Strike in 1894.

Discover 66 historic homes you can tour throughout Greater St. Louis in Anne Powell’s Step Inside St. Louis. We’re proud...
08/31/2026

Discover 66 historic homes you can tour throughout Greater St. Louis in Anne Powell’s Step Inside St. Louis.

We’re proud that our Victorian Home Museum and Emma Kunz House are both featured!

Pick up your copy and explore local history! Proceeds benefit the St. Clair County Historical Society!

Call, visit, or click to buy: https://square.link/u/T6ltXBz0

On Saturday, we had an amazing premiere of our new documentary, Hidden Branches on the American Family Tree.Attendees ex...
08/31/2026

On Saturday, we had an amazing premiere of our new documentary, Hidden Branches on the American Family Tree.

Attendees explored one local family’s fascinating journey into their past and into American history.

Our sincerest thanks to everyone who made it possible!

Look for more showings in the near future.

Join our friends from the East St. Louis Historical Society on Saturday for the unveiling of an amazing new mural depict...
08/27/2026

Join our friends from the East St. Louis Historical Society on Saturday for the unveiling of an amazing new mural depicting centuries of history in the city.

See the flier for details.

When it comes to historical photos, knowing the story makes all the difference.While cataloging the photo collection fro...
08/27/2026

When it comes to historical photos, knowing the story makes all the difference.

While cataloging the photo collection from the St. Clair County Medical Society, our friend Dr. Steve Kappel dropped by and immediately recognized this picture.

It shows Dr. Hank Hurd in his office in Belleville in the 1990s.

Dr. Hurd wanted to see how much junk mail he’d get while on vacation. These stacks represent only one week of accumulation!

Dr. Hurd, an orthopedic surgeon, practiced in Belleville from 1957 to 1992. A graduate of Harvard and Saint Louis University Medical School, he also taught at SLU for years. He died in 2018.

Help us tell St. Clair County’s amazing story by supporting our newsletter!By underwriting the newsletter, you preserve ...
08/26/2026

Help us tell St. Clair County’s amazing story by supporting our newsletter!

By underwriting the newsletter, you preserve and promote our fascinating local history.

Business underwriters have their logo published in our newsletter, while individuals and families are acknowledged in each edition, showing their dedication to our mission.

Donate here: https://square.link/u/J5Vni0Ar

The yahrzeit board at Congregation Beth Israel Agudas Achim in Belleville commemorates those who’ve passed and also serv...
08/26/2026

The yahrzeit board at Congregation Beth Israel Agudas Achim in Belleville commemorates those who’ve passed and also serves as a historical chronicle of the local Jewish community.

A yahrzeit is the anniversary of a death. It is often marked by lighting a yahrzeit candle and reciting a special prayer, the Mourner’s Kaddish.

Many yahrzeit boards (like this one) also have lightbulbs that are illuminated next to the deceased’s name on their yahrzeit.

Address

705 E Washington Street
Belleville, IL
62220

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 3pm
Tuesday 11am - 3pm
Wednesday 11am - 3pm
Thursday 11am - 3pm
Friday 11am - 3pm

Telephone

(618) 234-0600

Website

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