The Illinois State Historical Society Officers

President: David Scott, Springfield
President Pro Tem: Marvin W. Ehlers, Deerfield
Treasurer: Arthur M Martin, Chicago

Directors

Directors, Terms Expire in 2004
Norman C. Berger, Chicago
Timothy Draper, Sugar Grove
Lawrence McBride, Bloomington
Ellsworth Mills, II, SHighland Park

Directors, Terms Expire in 2005
Leah J. Axelrod, Chicago
Herbert Channick, Rockfond
Redd Griffin, Oak Park
Russell Lewis, Chicago John Power, Jacksonville

Illinois Herritage

A Publication of The Illinois State Historical Society November-December 2003 2003                                                                            Volume 6 Number 6

Departments

4         Letters

5         News

Features

6          Graven images
A primer to understanding Victorian cemetery iconography

9         The 2003 Centennial Awards Commemorating 60 centuries of business excellence in Illinois

19         AIMHS Awards
It's time to give us your picks for the best history-making in Illinois

In Brief

23         New Members

24         From the archives

To our readers:

History isn't pretty. Game six of this year's National League playoffs immediately comes to mind. But sometimes it is exhilarating, as was the Illinois State Historical Society's 2003 Centennial Awards Banquet, held October 10 at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago. More than sixty Centennial Awards were presented this year, including a Lifetime Achievement Award given to Pulitzer Prize-winning author Studs Terkel, and the Society's Artistic Achievement Award, which went to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. You can read all about the banquet and the award recipients beginning on page 9. Also in this issue, former Society assistant director Jason Meyers takes us to Springfield's world-famous Oak Ridge Cemetery for a fascinating lesson in Victorian tombstone iconography.

Nomination instructions for the Society's 2004 Annual Awards program and for the Board of Directors and Advisory Board are included in this issue of Illinois Heritage, so take advantage of this opportunity to get involved in your Society. Make it your New Year's resolution to get involved in Illinois history. Let our past be your future.

William Furry editor

A challenge for our future

For more than 100 years, the Society has illuminated the words, deeds, and events of our past for the people of the present. As the Society moves ahead in its second century, it must ensure a strong future for its programs—popular and scholarly publications, historical markers, awards and symposia—and maintain a high quality or start services.

The Society is looking to its membership to help it reach a new level of funding that will guarantee a vibrant future. Thus, the Board of Directors has established a new program to encourage increased investment in our future—the ISHS Directors Fund.

The idea is simple. Anyone who gives for the first time at the level of $250 or more will generate a dollar-for-dollar match from the Directors Fund. Thus, a donor's money is doubled: A first-time gift of $250 means the Society will receive $500; a $500 donation becomes $1,000, and so on. Donations above the cost of basic membership are tax deductible.

The money in the Directors Fund comes from officers and members of the Board. They believe in the present and the future of the Society so strongly that they are willing to give generously in the hope that you, too, will give generously.

Won't you consider a gift to support Illinois history now and in the future? Take advantage of this opportunity to double your money through a Directors Fund match.

For more information: Contact the ISHS office -(217)-525-2781
ishs@eosinc.com, or 210-1/2 S. Sixth Street, Suite 200
Springfield, Illinois 62701 The Illinois State Historical Society is a 501 (c)(3)organization.

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