All About Weddings

Make plans now to join us for a special exhibit we are hosting at the Historical Society this winter – Wedding Dresses Through the Decades. The dresses will be on display beginning January 18 and will stay up through March 30. In conjunction with the wedding dress display, we will also have three programs that cover all things wedding dresses, love, and wedding traditions. The exhibit will be open:

Tuesdays and Thursdays: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

There will be a suggested donation of $5 per person to help defray the costs of this special exhibit.

See the Dresses – Wedding Dress Fashion Show:

Friday, April 12, 6:30 p.m. – Fashion Show – Wedding Dresses Through the Decades

The Historical Society is pleased to present a Wedding Dress Fashion Show. The fashion show will feature wedding dresses from many different eras, as well as a few bridesmaid dresses and mother-of-the-bride dresses. This will be a wonderful event; in addition to the dresses being worn by your friends and neighbors, we will have music, share wedding facts, and enjoy a traditional wedding treat: cake and punch!

Make plans now to join us at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church on April 12 for the fashion show. Tickets are $25 each or $150 for a table of 6. Tickets are available at Define the Home, Homespun, or right here via PayPal. If you purchase tickets online, you will pick up the paper copies of your tickets at Will Call on the night of the event.

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Annual Meeting – April 15

It is once again time for the annual meeting of the WHS. Please mark your calendars for Monday, April 15 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will take place at our beautiful building on the square. Refreshments will be served beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Following the brief business meeting, we will explore the very early history of this area with a program entitled, “Native American History in Central Illinois: The Journey from the Ice Age to the Present and Beyond.”

The program will be presented by Dr. Michael D. Wiant, Ph.D., who has studied Native American history for over 50 years and is devoted to sharing his knowledge with the public. He was educated at Illinois State University (B.S., M.S.) and Northwestern University (M.A., and Ph.D.). Following several years of archaeological fieldwork with the Center for American Archeology, Wiant joined the staff of the Illinois State Museum in 1982 where he served in curatorial and administrative positions. He retired in 2017 but anthropological and archaeological research and public lectures still occupy much of his time. In 2004, Dr. Wiant expanded his research to include 18th and 19th century Native American history in Illinois, especially land cessions and Native American resistance to American settlement. He developed a series of presentations about William Henry Harrison, who governed the Northwest Territory from Vincennes and negotiated a series of land cessions that transformed the midwestern cultural landscape, the challenges of Native American tribes in the Midwest during the early 19th century including the local Potawatomi, and the Sauk warrior Black Sparrow Hawk, all of which resonate with increasing strength in contemporary society’s discussion about Native American heritage.

To accompany Dr. Wiant’s presentation, WHS member Howard Spring will lend us his collection of arrowheads to have on display that evening. Please make plans now to join us for our annual meeting and this very interesting program!

Using the Historical Society Building

Have you been in the Historical Society’s building on the square? Then you know the space is beautiful and we have the best view of the square in town. We do rent the space to local civic organizations for meetings and to private citizens to use for small gatherings such as baby showers, retirement parties, etc. If you would like to find out more information about how you can rent our space, please contact the Historical Society at washingtonilhs@gmail.com.

2023 Roots Recipient – Dr. Tim Allshouse

 Each year, the Washington Historical Society honors an individual or individuals who spent a portion of their childhood in Washington and went on to make significant contributions in the field of science, government, arts, sports, business, or charitable work, law, or communications. Dr. Tim Allshouse was nominated by a Washington resident to receive this recognition. The Historical Society welcomed him back to Washington for a special presentation on September 10. To see a video of his presentation to the Historical Society, please visit our YouTube page.

Dr. Allshouse is the Director of Bands at Blue Springs High School in Blue Springs, Missouri. During his tenure, the Blue Springs Band has performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade three times, the Tournament of Roses Parade twice, and a Presidential Inaugural Parade. The Blue Springs Marching Band has been a Bands of America Super Regional Finalist collectively 28 times in St. Louise, Indianapolis, Atlanta, and San Antonio, as well as a multiple-time Grand National Finalist. The Blue Springs Concert and Jazz Bands have performed at the state music conference in Missouri eight times in the last fourteen years. The jazz ensemble was the featured entertainment at the prestigious Tournament of Roses Presidential Breakfast as well as the National School Board Association and the SYTA Convention on two occasions. The Blue Springs Band Department is a recipient of the prestigious Sousa Foundation Award: The Sudler Shield, and is Missouri’s only Grammy Signature Music Program.

After graduating from Washington Community High School in 1988, Dr. Allshouse earned his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in both instrumental and music education where he studied conducting with Ray Cramer and Stephen W. Pratt. He received his master’s degree from the University of Missouri and his doctorate from the University of Kansas. Dr. Allshouse serves on the national advisory board and is an adjudicator / clinician for Music For All / Bands of America. Dr. Allshouse also serves as a general clinician, honor band conductor, and drill designer throughout the country. 

 

Historic Washington

Dr. Harley Zinser Home

105 Zinser (Est. 1858)

Constructed in 1858, the home of Dr. Zinser features a Greek Revival structure and was designed to be a single family home with an office in the east parlor. Additions to the home were added later in the 1880’s and early 1900’s. It was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

Though the Zinser House was owned by the Washington Historical Society for many years, today it is back in private ownership by a member of the Zinser Family. The House is a home once again. 

Hiram Price Home

109 Burton (Est. 1867)

Although exact building records are questionable, the home at 109 Burton was originally built at 102 Burton in 1867 with an Italianate Structure by Hiram Price. Price served as Mayor of Washington from 1899-1901. In 1915, the home was purchased and moved to 109 Burton by Henry Denhart which later accommodated the First National Bank’s Money Store. After some renovations in recent years, the house still stands as a single family home in Washington. [1]

116 N. Elm

116 N. Elm (Est. 1898 or 1906)

The exact age of this historic home is unknown, however it is believed to have been constructed in either 1898 or 1906. It is a foursquare house and has been well-preserved over the years. Its past owners have included two Washington Mayors: John G. Gorin and Richard F. Tanton. [1][2]

Israel Zinser Home

307 E. Jefferson (Est. 1878)

Moving his family to Washington to become the City’s primary pharmacist, Israel Zinser built this house in 1878 for his family. The home has kept the same look and feel as it did in its day for over 130 years, the only exception being the porch that was added to the home in the early 20th century. The home remains in the Zinser family, as it has for five generations. [1][2]

Holland Home

312 S. Market (Est. Mid-1800's)

Like many historic homes, the exact date of construction on the home at 312 Market is hard to place. The front portion of the main level was constructed in 1870, and the upstairs and rear of the home were added in 1893. Still, the home has some pretty big historic significance for Washington, with its history dating back to the Matthew Holland, son of Hollands Grove Founder (later re-named to Washington), William Holland.[1]

What We Do

Acquire, Preserve, Display

The mission of this Society is to acquire, preserve, and display Washington’s history.