Bluffs and Piasa Bird, 2016

Browse Items (130 total)

  • Tags: culture
Thumbnail Title Description Date Date Added
North China Pictorial Book given to Americans Stationed in China Following World War II This book, titled "North China Pictorial," was given to each member of the U.S. army who was stationed in China immediately following World War II. It was paid for by Special Services Funds of the 111 Amphibious Corps. The book highlights the people and culture of China for an American audience. This book was brought to Madison County by an American soldier who was stationed in northern China immediately after World War II.

Select pages of this book were photographed as part of a Madison Historical class visit to Civic Memorial High School in spring 2018. It was brought to class by the soldier's granddaughter, Dara Parks.
Circa 1945 - 1948 September 7, 2018
1969 Better Homes and Gardens: New Cook Book This Better Homes and Gardens Cook Book published in 1969 belonged to Alton resident Christina Hall. Four of the book's pages were digitized, with some recipes designated for "Ladies Only" and "Men Only." The "Ladies Only" meal contains a crab-artichoke bake, assorted relishes, rolls, and orange soufflé. The "Men Only" meal contains cheese stuffed apples, assorted crackers, shrimp cocktail, Hasenpfeffer, mashed potatoes with gravy, peas, carrots, "Men’s Favorite Salad," rolls, and red cherry pie. The smaller and lighter ladies meal demonstrates gender notions prevalent in the 1960s.

This cook book was photographed as part of a Madison Historical class visit to Civic Memorial High School in spring 2018. It was brought to class by Erin Griffith.
1969 September 7, 2018
Sam Stemm Oral History Interview In this oral history interview, Sam Stemm discusses his career with the local Alton station WBGZ. He also describes growing up in Alton, going to SIUE as a mass communications major, national conservative radio stations, and the history of WBGZ. June 12, 2018 September 12, 2018
Ron Holland Oral History Interview In this oral history interview, Ron Holland describes his role as bass player for the Granite City band Rising Sons, as well as the music culture and other local bands in St. Louis and Granite City. He also describes how the band changed after he was drafted into the Vietnam War in 1968. September 7, 2018 September 14, 2018
1895 Treasurer’s Annual Report for the Church of the Redeemer in Alton This three-page typed document is the annual financial report of the treasurer of Church of the Redeemer in Alton, Illinois in 1895. The report covers the fiscal year starting October 1, 1894 and ending October 1, 1895. The Church of the Redeemer was built in 1870, changed its name to First Congregational Church in the middle of the twentieth century, and closed its doors in the latter half of the century. The building still stands at the intersection of Sixth and Henry Streets (600 Henry Street) in Alton. As of September 2018, it is the site of the Whole Truth Church of Christ.

This newsletter was digitized by Phillip Schneider as part of History 400: Community-Engaged Digital History.
1895-10-01 September 16, 2018
1921 Year Book and Directory for The Church of the Redeemer in Alton This yearbook and directory were printed for Church of the Redeemer in Alton, Illinois in 1921. The book offers a detailed history of their building and the congregation. Also contained in the booklet is the church’s constitution, standing rules (bylaws), and explanations of their denomination (Congregationalism) and church membership. The rest of the booklet is dedicated to listing the names and address of the church’s members. The Church of the Redeemer changed its name to First Congregational Church in the middle of the twentieth century and closed its doors in the later half of the century. The building still stands at the intersection of Sixth and Henry Streets (600 Henry Street) in Alton, Illinois. As of September 2018, it is the site of the Whole Truth Church of Christ. This booklet also contains numerous advertisements for area businesses who sponsored the printing of the booklet.

This booklet was digitized by Phillip Schneider as part of History 400: Community-Engaged Digital History.
1921-2-21 September 16, 2018
The Stephenson House as a fraternity home for Sigma Phi Epsilon in the late 1990s This photograph shows the Stephenson House around when it was purchased by the City of Edwardsville in 1999 from the SIUE chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. The fraternity had owned the home since 1982. The fraternity's Greek letters are hanging above the front door. Circa 1999 October 17, 2018
The parlor of the Stephenson House as a fraternity home for Sigma Phi Epsilon in the late 1990s This photograph shows the parlor of the Stephenson House around when it was purchased by the City of Edwardsville in 1999 from the SIUE chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. The fraternity had owned the home since 1982. Various fraternity paddles are hanging on the walls. Circa 1999 October 17, 2018
The interior of the Stephenson House as a fraternity home for Sigma Phi Epsilon in the late 1990s This photograph shows the interior of the Stephenson House around when it was purchased by the City of Edwardsville in 1999 from the SIUE chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. The fraternity had owned the home since 1982. The doors and fireplace are painted the fraternity's purple colors, and the name of the fraternity is hanging above the fireplace. Circa 1999 October 17, 2018
The back of the Stephenson House as a fraternity home for Sigma Phi Epsilon in the late 1990s This photograph shows the back porch of the Stephenson House around when it was purchased by the City of Edwardsville in 1999 from the SIUE chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. The fraternity had owned the home since 1982. The Greek letters of the fraternity are hanging above the porch awning. Circa 1999 October 17, 2018