| Historical Society Of Brooklyn Illinois |
The Elders of Brooklyn, Illinois, have preserved the town's history and our cultural heritage through oral tradition that
has been handed to each succeeding generation. Until recently, it was thought that all written records had been lost.
While interviewing an elder, he remembered that his deceased sister had entrusted him with two books that she had
found in an old house before its' demolition. These books contain hand written records of our history dating from 1891
through 1893. A professional archivist, working in conjunction with HSOBI, and volunteers from ITARP has begun
work on stabilizing the material which was deteriorating and beginning to flake.
Brooklyn's Historical Society was incorporated July 23, 2007. Prior to the formation of the Historical Society,
Elders George McShan, Magnolia Johnson, Joe Henry, Robert Smoots, Juanita Clemons, Nathaniel O'Bannon II, and
Robert Dale Sr., had amassed a collection of photos and news paper articles chronicling he history of Brooklyn and its'
citizens. Elders Prince Wells, Henry Ross Carmelita and Willie Gower have patiently recounted life in Brooklyn during
the early 1930's through 1960's which was digitally recorded. They have provided the foundation on which the
Historical Society was formed.
The focus of our work is to collect, preserve and present the historical record and cultural heritage of the first
inhabitants, founding families, and early settlers of Brooklyn, Illinois, through interpretive exhibits, promote awareness
of Brooklyn, Illinois and encourage the association of people with a common interest in our history. Our goal is to have
the town of Brooklyn and its' historic sites receive designation on the National Registry of Historic Places.
We must preserve our past with a vision to secure our future.
HSOBI
has been handed to each succeeding generation. Until recently, it was thought that all written records had been lost.
While interviewing an elder, he remembered that his deceased sister had entrusted him with two books that she had
found in an old house before its' demolition. These books contain hand written records of our history dating from 1891
through 1893. A professional archivist, working in conjunction with HSOBI, and volunteers from ITARP has begun
work on stabilizing the material which was deteriorating and beginning to flake.
Brooklyn's Historical Society was incorporated July 23, 2007. Prior to the formation of the Historical Society,
Elders George McShan, Magnolia Johnson, Joe Henry, Robert Smoots, Juanita Clemons, Nathaniel O'Bannon II, and
Robert Dale Sr., had amassed a collection of photos and news paper articles chronicling he history of Brooklyn and its'
citizens. Elders Prince Wells, Henry Ross Carmelita and Willie Gower have patiently recounted life in Brooklyn during
the early 1930's through 1960's which was digitally recorded. They have provided the foundation on which the
Historical Society was formed.
The focus of our work is to collect, preserve and present the historical record and cultural heritage of the first
inhabitants, founding families, and early settlers of Brooklyn, Illinois, through interpretive exhibits, promote awareness
of Brooklyn, Illinois and encourage the association of people with a common interest in our history. Our goal is to have
the town of Brooklyn and its' historic sites receive designation on the National Registry of Historic Places.
We must preserve our past with a vision to secure our future.
HSOBI
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