Streatorland Historical Society Museum

10/02/2026

Did you know... the man who discovered Pluto was a Streator native? Join us on Monday, October 5 for a presentation on LaSalle County Legends. David Reed from the Streatorland Historical Society Museum will present on Clyde Tombaugh (pictured), in addition to Diana Espinoza from the Hegeler Carus Mansion, focusing on Alvin and Libby Carus, and Rachael Mellen from the LaSalle County Genealogy Guild on Captain John McCormick. The session meets 6-8 PM in Room CTC-124. Fee is $20. Advance registration is recommended, but registration can also be taken at the door. Call 815-224-0427.

09/25/2026

A new coal cart has been added

08/31/2026

Join Illinois Valley Community College and historic sites and organizations from across LaSalle County for a five-session journey through local history. Each presentation is new for Fall 2026.
Learn about America at 250, Indigenous tribes, LaSalle County Legends, the Underground Railroad and more.

You can attend all five sessions in-person or via Zoom for $75 or select individual sessions to attend via Zoom for $20 each.
Programs are scheduled at Illinois Valley Community College on the following dates in CTC-124. Sessions are scheduled on Monday evenings from 6-8 PM.

Aug 31: America 250: The Founding of a Nation & the Native History of LaSalle County
Sep 7: No class
Sep 14: LaSalle County Legends: Wild Bill Hickok & George Preston Blow
Sep 21: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of LaSalle County
Sep 28: Hide and Seek in the 1840s-1850s: It was not a Game
Oct 5: LaSalle County Legends: Alvin & Libby Carus, John McCormick & Clyde Tombaugh

Advance registration is required. Call (815) 224-0427 or enroll online https://www/ivcc.edu/enroll, use Class ID: 30335.

Zoom participants will receive an email from IVCC with the zoom link for the session within 24 hours of the scheduled program.

With special thanks to the following individuals for participating in the presentations to make this project happen: Cheryl Biolchini & Gary Biolchini (Westclox Museum), Amanda Carter (LaSalle County Historic Society), Lorraine McCallister (Reddick Mansion Association), Jeff Maierhofer (Seneca Historical Guild), Rachael Mellen (LaSalle County Genealogy Guild), Mollie Perrot & Dan Schott (Ottawa Historical & Scouting Heritage Museum), Diana Espinoza (Hegeler Carus Mansion), Alex Rezvan (Mendota Museum & Historical Society) and David Reed (Streatorland Historical Museum).

07/11/2026

On July 19 Fr Andrew of the St. John Orthodox Chapel in New Lenox will be in Streator to bless the graves at the Russian Orthodox Cemetery. This is an annual tradition. The ceremony will start at 1:30 on July 19 and will last about 1/2 hour. All are invited.

06/20/2026

On Saturday June 27 I will be presenting a program on the Cherry Mine Disaster. This is a fascinating story, free of charge.

03/25/2026

With today being National Medal Of Honor Day I’d like to recognize Streator’s own Orion P. Howe. Howe earned the award due to his actions on May 19, 1863 during an assault on the fortifications of Vicksburg, MS. He was a 14 yo drummer boy in the 55 th ILL. When he heard a group of infantry from the 55th. Were pinned down and out of am******on, he and 2 other drummers boys dropped their drums and headed to the front where they crawled around the battlefield getting am******on from the dead and wounded soldiers to take to the pinned down soldiers. Col Malmberg ordered them from the field, but to find General Sherman to let him know they need am******on. The three boys ran across the field to find Sherman. Two of them were shot and killed almost immediately, Howe was shot through his left thigh and crawled off the field. Once at a safe distance he got up and limped to Sherman where he gave the message about the need for am******on. Sherman was impressed with boys courage and the fact the remembered that they needed a special caliber of am******on, caliber 54.
After the war Howe and his brother both settled in Streator where they spent most of their lives. Orion became a dentist and saddle maker. Though his wife and daughter are buried in Riverview Cemetery, Orion is interred at the National Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri. Orion P. Howe is recognized as the youngest recipient of the MOH, at 14 years old. Happy MOH day Orion!

03/06/2026

The Streatorland Historical Society is hoping to raise funds … Streatorland Historical Society Museum needs your support for Marker for Sgt. Poundstone: A Hero Remembered

02/18/2026

February 18 is an important day in Streator history. It should be celebrated and mentioned in every grade school classroom.

02/13/2026