Washington County Historical Society

Washington County Historical Society The WCHS owns and operates three museums containing many historical items that have been collected or donated by WC residents over the past 51 years.
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The John Paul Jones/Kate LeCompte House at 326 S. Kaskaskia St. contains period furnishings, paintings, books, newspaper articles, clothing, photos, various collections, and military uniforms and items. Also at the Museum, we have a library containing Census info, maps, old movies, old cemetery listings, genealogy reference books, family histories, yearbooks, IL county history books, surrounding c

ounty history books, and Washington County reference books. Sadly, we do not have a resident genealogist that can assist you on site, however, we can put you in contact with someone whom we consider to be an expert genealogist, and can assist you with tracing family lineage in southern Illinois. Our L&N Train Depot is located at the corners of E. 1st and N. Kaskaskia Streets. This museum is in fact the only remaining (nonworking) depot in WC. While it appears to be a working depot, passenger service was stopped in 1971. We do, however, have many photos and some memorabilia of past WC train depots that once dotted the countryside. There is also a working train set located in the Cargo Room of the depot that is operated only by tour guides. Both the Museum and the L&N Depot are open on Saturday afternoons from 1:00-4:00. Lastly, we have the McKelvey One Room School House located about 3 miles west of Nashville on State Route 15. It is open by appointment only. At one time, WC had as many as 90 one room school houses. It is completely outfitted to resemble what the old school houses looked like and that were used from the late 1800s until about the 1950s. If you would like to arrange a special group tour, i.e., class reunion, senior citizen, school, or family reunion, we will gladly open our doors to accommodate your schedule. Point of contact for arrangements for tours is Shelley Rybacki (618-327-8465) and Robin Ermentrout (618-327-6692).

12/18/2025

Thank You Gary and Debby Stricker and the Washington County News
The WCHS would like to thank Gary and Debby Stricker for donating their collection of Nashville Journals to the WCHS Library. This collection represents many years of newspapers which date back to the late 1800s.

The WCHS would also like thank the Washington County News for donating their old collection of Nashville News to the WCHS Library. This collection dates back to the late 1960s.

Both collections were recently offered to the WCHS and we are thrilled to have these old newspapers. It is our intention to display these bound newspapers in our office/ library and allow visitors the opportunity to read or research through the newspapers for either historical content or genealogy information. We will keep you posted as to when these old newspaper editions will made available to the public.

The History of the Christmas Pickle The General John A. Logan Museum at Murphysboro, IL, recently posted a story that we...
12/11/2025

The History of the Christmas Pickle

The General John A. Logan Museum at Murphysboro, IL, recently posted a story that we would like to share, and it tells of the one of the origins of the tradition of the Christmas Pickle.

The story is that Pvt. John C. Lower, a Bavarian-born immigrant, enlisted in the 103rd Pennsylvania Infantry and was captured at Plymouth, North Carolina in April 1864. He joined the prison population at Andersonville shortly thereafter. By Christmas Eve, Pvt Lower, like many others, was starving. He begged one of his Confederate guards for some food and was given a pickle. Lower later credited this simple token of humanity for giving him the clarity of purpose to continue to fight to survive. He was released from prison in the spring of 1865 and returned to his family. The Lower family then began a tradition of hiding a pickle ornament on the Christmas.

Over the years, the tradition continued in hiding the pickle ornament in the branches of a Christmas tree. The first person finding the ornament on Christmas morning would be rewarded by being the first to open a gift, or better yet, getting a treat or a small gift. This really is a fun and exciting tradition for the young children.

Thank you to General John A. Logan Museum for sharing the story of Pvt John C. Lower. The General John A. Logan Museum is one of southern Illinois' must see museums. Plan a trip to see this historic museum located at 1613 Edith Street, Murphysboro, IL. Check them out on their FB Page for opening days.

12/10/2025

Santa At The Depot

Please pass the word there has been a schedule change and Santa and Mrs. Claus will not be at the Depot on December 12th, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. The Depot will be closed that evening.

Santa and Mrs. Claus are scheduled to return on:
December 19th from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
December 20th from 1::00 PM - 3:00 PM
December 23rd from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

We are sorry for any confusion and hope that you will be able to make plans to visit at one of the sessions immediately above.

One of the many iniitiatives the Washington County Historical Society is involved in is creating a 12" X 12" quilt block...
12/06/2025

One of the many iniitiatives the Washington County Historical Society is involved in is creating a 12" X 12" quilt block with a logo for the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. We hope to finish that design soon. That quilt block will be sewn together with other quilt blocks all entered by counties that are named Washington County throughout the US. We anticipate it will be a fairly large quilt as there are 34 Washington Counties in the US. (See attached map). Once the quilt is made, it is supposed to be sent around to each state having a Washington County. We are excited to be involved in this initiative, however, we do need a volunteer who can do the stitching. If anyone would like to be involved with this project for this historical event, please contact us here.

12/05/2025

Santa At The Depot
For those that may have missed the December Schedule for Santa, please see below. The Depot is open this evening from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. With the temperatures unbearably cold for the next few days, come on inside a stay warm while waiting to see Santa. We hope to see you there.

December 5th 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
December 12th 5:00 PM- 7:00 PM
December 19th 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
December 20th 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
December 23rd 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

This message is brought to you by the generosity of our many donors, those that support us through helping us for the benefit of the WCHS Museums, and Illinois Humanities.

12/02/2025

Giving Tuesday

Today, December 2, is known as Giving Tuesday, and is celebrated by people worldwide in support of their favorite Non-profit organizations. We hope the Washington County Historical Society is one of your favorites. Please take this opportunity to make a donation that will support the operations, maintenance, events, and special exhibits at our three museums: WCHS Museum, L&N Train Depot, and McKelvey One Room School. Your Giving Tuesday donation will help us finish the the WCHS' 59th year as a non-profit business that serves Washington County communities. It ranks as one of the county's oldest continuous running businesses. a fact, that we are proud of. Please mail in your Giving Tuesday gift to the WCHS at the address beclow and help us to complete 2025 strong!
Thank you

WCHS
P.O. Box 9
Nashville, IL 62263

The WCHS President and Board of Directors take this opportunity to thank those who support the organization along with Illinois Humanities who has provided grant funds to operate and maintain our non-profit organization.

December Schedule is as follows:December 5th, 5:00PM-7:00PMDecember 12th, 5:00PM-7:00PMDecember 19th, 5:00PM-7:0...
11/28/2025

December Schedule is as follows:

December 5th, 5:00PM-7:00PM
December 12th, 5:00PM-7:00PM
December 19th, 5:00PM-7:00PM
December 20th 1:00-PM-3:00PM
December 23rd 5:00PM-7:00PM

Come on out and have a great time visiting Santa at the historic L&N Depot.
We hope to see you there.

The WCHS is thankful for our many friends and supporters who so generously help us preserve our history and heritage. H...
11/27/2025

The WCHS is thankful for our many friends and supporters who so generously help us preserve our history and heritage. Have a great Thanksgiving with your family and friends!

11/03/2025

Send a message to learn more

10/30/2025

Attention Genealogists!
For the past few months, the WCHS has been publicizing lots of information about America's 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the era of the American Revolution. More are becoming interested in their family's history and heritage dating back to that time. There are some that know nothing about genealogy or how to begin to create a family tree and many are wanting to learn if they have American Revolutionary Patriots in their family. At the WCHS, we are now doing research on Patriots in our county and would love to make sure we have accurately identified our Patriots. My questions are if anyone who visits or follows this site would be interested in helping others learn a little about genealogy or even possibly do some genealogy work for others. This page normally publishes historical articles, information, and events. We don't normally get involved in tracing family lines and at this time, the Washington County Historical Socity does not have a dedicated Genealogist who can assist in this capacity. If anyone knows of anyone that would be interested in possibly helping someone get started in tracing their family lines either as volunteer work or for a fee, please advise. We anticipate a growing number of interested folks and we would like to be able to get them some help. Thank you.

Elaine Rucker
WCHS President

WCHS Celebrates Veterans DayThe WCHS proudly presents its traditional Veterans Day Event at the WCHS Museum at 326 S. K...
10/30/2025

WCHS Celebrates Veterans Day

The WCHS proudly presents its traditional Veterans Day Event at the WCHS Museum at 326 S. Kaskaskia St. in Nashville. We have created many new displays on our first floor level for easy access. For those who would like to continue the tour through the lower level and the 2nd and 3rd levels, you may do so. We also have a Military Room on the 3rd level. All of our Museums including the WCHS L&N Depot (corners of E. 1st St and North Kaskaskia St) and McKelvey School (approximately 2 miles west of Nashville on State Route 15) will be open for tours November 2nd, 9th, and 16th from 1:00 PM-4:00 PM. Many men and women from Washington County have proudly served in all of services. Come learn about their stories and if you are a past service member, share your military experience with us. We hope to see you there.

Address

326 South Kaskaskia
Nashville, IL
62263

Opening Hours

1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+16183278465

Website

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Our Museums and What We Have to Offer

The WCHS owns and operates three museums containing many historical items that have been collected or donated by WC residents over the past 51 years. The John Paul Jones/Kate LeCompte House at 326 S. Kaskaskia St. contains period furnishings, paintings, books, newspaper articles, clothing, photos, various collections, and military uniforms and items. Also at the Museum, we have a library containing Census info, maps, old movies, old cemetery listings, genealogy reference books, family histories, yearbooks, IL county history books, surrounding county history books, and Washington County reference books. Sadly, we do not have a resident genealogist that can assist you on site, however, we can put you in contact with someone whom we consider to be an expert genealogist, and can assist you with tracing family lineage in southern Illinois. Our L&N Train Depot is located at the corners of E. 1st and N. Kaskaskia Streets. This museum is in fact the only remaining (nonworking) depot in WC. While it appears to be a working depot, passenger service was stopped in 1971. We do, however, have many photos and some memorabilia of past WC train depots that once dotted the countryside. There is also a working train set located in the Cargo Room of the depot that is operated only by tour guides. Both the Museum and the L&N Depot are open on Saturday afternoons from 1:00-4:00. Lastly, we have the McKelvey One Room School House located about 3 miles west of Nashville on State Route 15. It is open by appointment only. At one time, WC had as many as 90 one room school houses. It is completely outfitted to resemble what the old school houses looked like and that were used from the late 1800s until about the 1950s. If you would like to arrange a special group tour, i.e., class reunion, senior citizen, school, or family reunion, we will gladly open our doors to accommodate your schedule. Point of contact for arrangements for tours is Elaine Rucker, Museums Curator, 618-327-8075.