Historical Society Of Brooklyn, Illinois Incorporated

Preserving The Past Securing The Future

Board Members
William Turner
Robert Dale II
Magnolia Johnson
Lena B. Bell
Ronnie Steele Sr.
Roberta Obadan
Monica Johnson

A Non Profit Organization
712 Jefferson St.
Brooklyn, Illinois 62059

Contact us at:
hsobi@brooklynillinoisourstory.com
618. 271.5787 or 713.907.0385
Your donations are tax deductible

                                 News & Updates

Last night 1/01/09, we lost one of our Living Legends; Mr. Joe Henry. Funeral
arrangements are pending. We will post all updates as we receive them.

The Historical Society was recently contacted by a representative of The African
American Historic and Genealogy Society of Missouri. They are interested in adding
Brooklyn to their tour. The first tour bus will arrive September 20, 2008. They will
tour our historic cemetery, Janey B. Goode archaeology site, Quinn Chapel A.M.E.
Church, and Mother Baltimore's Freedom Village. We hope this is the first of many
tours showcasing Brooklyn's historic sites.

The Illinois State Museum will assemble an exhibit of Brooklyn, Illinois. They are
focusing on the time period previous to the Civil War. This includes the stories of
our Founding Families and Early Settlers. As you know, much of our history has
been preserved through oral tradition and photos. They have asked that we
assemble all photos, documents an artifacts that are relevant to this period. HSOBI
has merely scraped the tip of the iceberg collecting this important information. We
are asking everyone to search through your family photos, personal belongings of
your ancestors. What may have little importance to you, may have significant
meaning to our history. That old gun that your great grandmother used to prop the
door open is a historical artifact. The bonnet, shoes or dress she wore is a link to
our past. The garden tools that belonged to your great grandfather or his coveralls,
boots or hat he wore tells a story in the hands of a professional historian. You may
have old photos of people you do not know. They are of importance. Your
ancestors would not have passed them on to you if they were not. Please contact
us with anything that you have. We will scan your photos, photograph and
document your artifacts before contacting the museum. They will contact you
directly to seek your permission to include your stories, photos and artifacts in the
exhibit. YOU ARE NOT GIVING AWAY YOUR HEIRLOOMS! THE MUSEUM WILL
BORROW THEM FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND RETURN THEM TO YOU.
The Illinois State Museum has asked that we make our submission by the end of
October 2008. Come on Brooklynites! Let's get to cracka lacking on this !

The Lovejoy Alumni Association and The Historical Society will work together to
achieve a common goal; the construction of the community center and cultural
center. ITARP has agreed to place artifacts from the Janey B. Goode archaeology
site at a facility (museum/cultural center) with state of the art security in Brooklyn.
This fall, Dr. Chris Fennell will begin excavation of Mother Baltimore's Freedom
Village. The excavation is expected to take five years to complete. If we do not have
a secure facility to store and display our historical artifacts, where do you think they
are going? Dig deep into your pockets and donate to this cause! Everyone of you
can afford a one hundred dollar tax deductible donation in twenty dollar increments!
This is our history! Make the sacrifice!

Research volunteers have located the home site and grave of Mother Priscilla
Baltimore. HSOBI contacted the cemetery and was informed that her grave does
not have a marker. She ad her adopted son, Milton Carper, are interned together.
We must insist on having the honor to purchase their grave markers. Please
contact a local church minister in Brooklyn to make a donation. We will purchase
her grave marker collectively as a community.

HSOBI needs serious volunteers to assist in the planning, development and
implementation aspects of " Freedom Walk 2009." We need organizers to come
together at the conclusion of the Holiday Season and brainstorm. This will be our
annual fund raising project to provide financial support for our cemetery restoration
and preservation efforts. We purchased most of the tools needed to clean and
repair the grave stones. If we could get ten healthy strong men and women who are
dedicated to clearing the cemetery which covers approximately seven acres, ITARP
volunteers will come in and conduct the scans and probing to recover lost graves.
The next stage would be for us to install wrought iron fence around the perimeter
and historic signage for the cemetery.
.links

Foundation Mission
Student Mentoring Program
Volunteers
Events
Gift Shop
Mother Baltimore's Freedom Village


                                   Honorary Membership Roster

HSOBI honorary membership drive got off to a good start at the Family & Friends
Day Picnic which was held on Saturday. Honorary members were the recipients of
an HSOBI t-shirt & cap for a $25.00 donation. The following individuals will receive
the bronze level of honorary membership.

  Anthony Warren                        Alexander Williams
  Jocelyn Johnson                      Connie Williams
  Ronald Betts                             Carolyn Simmons (Green)
  Brenda Enlow                           Patty Kubitschek
  Gravetta Trans                          Henry Earl Glasper
  Bernita Harris                            Robert Preston
  Victor Riley                                 Vicky Grady White

                     Gold Level Honorary Members

                                          Dr. Chris Fennell

                                  Platinum Level Plus

                                               Joe Henry


Joe Henry, one of our Living Legends, has paid the fee to
host our website for one year!

                          Thank you Joe!

Anyone wishing to make a donation to our cemetery restoration and
preservation project, research and survey project and/or general fund (honorary
membership fund) can do so at Guardian Savings which is located at 3800
Nameoki Rd., Granite City, Illinois, 62040. Simply visit the bank and state that you
want to make a donation to the Historical Society of Brooklyn Illinois and specify
which account your donation should be deposited in.

                Honorary Membership Donation Levels

                                        Individuals

Students:        $15.00          Seniors (65 &up)      $20.00        Adults:        $25.00
Bronze:            $25.00         Bronze:                        $35.00        Bronze:       $35.00
Silver:               $35.00         Silver:                           $50.00       Silver:          $55.00
Gold:                $50.00         Gold:                             $65.00       Gold:            $70.00
Platinum:        $75.00          Platinum:                     $90.00       Platinum:    $100.00

                           Individual Privileges:

Bronze:      Newsletter, including notice of exhibits, lectures, performances
              and other special events
              Individual free or reduced admission to special events
              Membership card 10% discount on event tickets

Silver:        All of the above and
              Invitations to receptions and luncheons
              Discount on Gala events
              First notice of all special events
              Discounts and advanced registration in art workshops and other
              educational programs
              Free HSOBI T-shirt

Gold:          All of the above and
             Free admission to selected ticketed events
             Private preview of selected exhibits before they open to the public
             Priority admission to the auditorium for special lectures
             Your name will be included in the annual listing of donors
             Free HSOBI Cap

Platinum: All of the above and
              Free admission for two guests to HSOBI's Annual Associates
              luncheon
              Free admission for two guests to HSOBI's selected events requiring
              admission
             *A total of 2 Free HSOBI T-shirts and 2 Free HSOBI’s Caps

                       Businesses & Organizations:
Bronze:        $500.00        Silver:        $750.00        Gold:        $1000.00
Platinum:   $1500.00

                             Businesses Privileges:

Bronze:       Newsletter, including notice of exhibitions, lectures, performance and
               other special events
               Free or reduced admission to special events for employees
               Membership cards for employees
               20% discount on event tickets
               6 Free HSOBI’s T-shirts and 6 Free HSOBI’s Caps

Silver:          All of the above and
               VIP Invitations for executives to receptions and luncheons
               Reserved tables for executives at Gala events
               20% discount for employees on Gala events
               First notice of all special events
               20% Discounts and advanced registration in art workshops and other
               educational programs

Gold:            All of the above and
               Free admission for executives to selected ticketed events
               Private preview of selected exhibits before they open to the public
               Priority admission to the auditorium for special lectures
               Reserved VIP seating for executives to the auditorium for special
               lectures
               Your company name will be included in the annual membership
               listing in the newsletter

Platinum:   All of the above and
               Free admission for four executives to HSOBI's Annual Associates
               Luncheon
               Free admission for four executives to HSOBI's selected events
               requiring admission with VIP seating
               Company name listed on HSOBI's website and letterhead
               Luxury Gift Basket (courtesy of The Original Fragrance Shop)

Historical Society Of Brooklyn Illinois

Brooklyn, Illinois 1935

Brooklyn, Illinois 1906

Brooklyn, Illinois 2008

Mission Statement

It is our goal to preserve the
heritage of Brooklyn, Illinois; that of
it’s first inhabitants, founding
families, early settlers and of
succeeding generations.