Murphysboro Historic Preservation Commission

07/31/2024

02/20/2024

Hello!

The Murphysboro Historic Preservation Commission will be looking for a few people interested in joining our committee, and becoming members for 2024.

We meet monthly, and have several projects in the works for the coming year.

If you’re interested in more information,
And have an interest in being a part of what we do,
Feel free to message us directly on this page.

We look forward to hearing from you!

08/30/2023

Good Morning!!!

Just wanted to give a bit of an update on our Restoration Hero project.

You may have seen our sign around town.

For those of you who do not already know,
The Murphysboro Historic Preservation Commission designates one local property quarterly, whether it be a commercial business, or a home, to receive our “Restoration Hero” award.

We usually keep an eye out for recently renovated homes, & businesses, or properties that have made significant strides towards restoration, and preservation.

In our town, much of our history can been seen, and identified by the craftsmanship of these properties.

From the ornate brick work on Walnut street,
To the post tornado bungalows, to the Victorian homes that have seen Murphysboro’s past, and present.

They all play a role in the history,
and future of Murphysboro.

So when we see an improvement in preserving these structures, we like to make sure those improvements are noticed.

We began this project in 2022,
And have presented 6 awards thus far.

2103 Division st.
724 Walnut st.
801 Walnut st.
1826 Spruce st.
1616 Walnut st.
And most recently,
204 south 17th st.

So we thought it would be interesting to ask YOU, the residents of Murphysboro to help us in our final nomination of the year.

So if you see a property that has made significant efforts in restoration, or preservation of their home, or business,
Please let us know by sending us a message here on our page Murphysboro Historic Preservation Commission.
Please include address, and if possible,
a photo.

Thank you!!!

We look forward to hearing from you!

07/06/2023

NEWS FROM THE GENERAL JOHN A. LOGAN MUSEUM – 6th ANNUAL GENERAL LOGAN 200 TO ARRIVE AT THE MUSUEM

You are invited to welcome the General Logan 200 cyclists who will arrive at the Logan Museum between 2 and 3 pm on Saturday, July 8, 2023.

Their annual 18-hour Cycling Challenge, sponsored by Gold Star Mission, will begin at Camp Lincoln in Springfield on Friday night and end at the Logan Museum. The purpose of the ride is to “raise awareness and educate Illinois communities about the state’s Fallen Heroes and interact with Gold Star Families along the way.”

This Annual Logan 200 Cycling Challenge either begins or ends in Chicago, Springfield or Murphysboro. This is the first time that it will end at the Museum.

Let’s give these riders a big Murphysboro welcome and show them our support for their very important cause. I don’t think that we can reach Chicago’s numbers, but we can try.

P. Michael Jones – Director



P.S. You can find out more about Gold Star Mission events at goldstarmission.org

05/06/2023

NEWS FROM THE GENERAL JOHN A. LOGAN MUSEUM – “WOMEN’S VOICES 3 - MAKE/BELIEVE” EXHIBIT CLOSING RECEPTION & PRESENTATION

The “Women’s Voices 3 - Make/Believe” Exhibit closes in one week so if you haven’t visited this wonderful exhibit your time is running out. The exhibit’s May 6 closing reception at the Logan Museum will feature a presentation by Mary Pachikara.

The exhibit both at SIU’s Mitchel Gallery and at the Logan Museum closes Saturday May 13.

Don’t miss your chance to visit these exciting exhibits!

P. Michael Jones – Director



Pictured: Jones Gallery view and reception poster

04/03/2023

NEWS FROM THE GENERAL JOHN A. LOGAN MUSEUM – UPCOMING MUSEUM HAPPENINGS

I just wanted to share some general information on what’s happening at the Museum in April
Thursday, April 6, 2023: The Museum will be closed as staff will be traveling to Springfield to assess several new items that will be coming here in June.
Thursday, April 13, 2023: Retired history professor and author Michael Batinski will present a program from 6:00 to 7:30pm on Jackson County, Illinois in the Civil War. Batinski recently published a modern history of Jackson County, the first such history written in over a century.

Saturday, April 15, 2023: Please bring your rakes, brooms, shovels and clippers and join us at the General John A. Logan Museum 1613 Edith Street Murphysboro, IL from 9am – 4pm as we celebrate the American Battlefield Trusts 26th Annual Park Day by cleaning up the Museum and its grounds. A picnic lunch, soft drinks and water will be provided. (Rain date Saturday, May 6, 2023)
Closing May 13, 2023: The Women’s Voices 3 Make/Believe Exhibit continues in the Museum’s Jones Gallery. There is just a little over a month to view this wonderful exhibit.

P. Michael Jones – Director

03/28/2023

NEWS FROM THE GENERAL JOHN A. LOGAN MUSEUM – SAVE THE DATE – DON’T FORGET AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD TRUST PARK DAY - SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 2023

For over two decades history enthusiasts, families, Boy and Girl Scouts, and more have come together at the Gen. John A. Logan Museum to participate in the American Battlefield Trusts Annual Park Day event to help keep our nation’s heritage not only preserved, but pristine.
Community-minded citizens have taken part in Park Day events at the Logan Museum since 1998. This is the Museum’s “Spring Cleaning” day and volunteers will help clearing paths, raking leaves, painting, repairing fences, trimming bushes, cleaning flower beds and much more. In addition to the satisfaction that volunteer work brings, participants will also have the chance to hear a local historian describe people and events of the past at their site.
Park Day can be used to fulfill the service requirements associated with scout groups, student organizations, training corps programs, and more.
Please bring your rakes, brooms, shovels and clippers and join us at the General John A. Logan Museum 1613 Edith Street Murphysboro, IL from 9am – 4pm on April 15, 2023 as we continue this tradition! A picnic lunch, soft drinks and water will be provided.

Rain date Saturday, May 6, 2023

P. Michael Jones – Director

03/22/2023

NEWS FROM THE GENERAL JOHN A. LOGAN MUSEUM – SAVE THE DATE - AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD TRUST PARK DAY - SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 2023

For over two decades history enthusiasts, families, Boy and Girl Scouts, and more have come together at the Gen. John A. Logan Museum to participate in the American Battlefield Trusts Annual Park Day event to help keep our nation’s heritage not only preserved, but pristine.
Community-minded citizens have taken part in Park Day events at the Logan Museum since 1998. This is the Museum’s “Spring Cleaning” day and volunteers will help clearing paths, raking leaves, painting, repairing fences, trimming bushes, cleaning flower beds and much more. In addition to the satisfaction that volunteer work brings, participants will also have the chance to hear a local historian describe people and events of the past at their site.
Park Day can be used to fulfill the service requirements associated with scout groups, student organizations, training corps programs, and more.
Please bring your rakes, brooms, shovels and clippers and join us at the General John A. Logan Museum 1613 Edith Street Murphysboro, IL from 9am – 4pm on April 15, 2023 as we continue this tradition! A picnic lunch, soft drinks and water will be provided.

Rain date Saturday, May 6, 2023

P. Michael Jones – Director

02/24/2023

MURPHYSBORO HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION – “RESTORATION HERO” AWARD

The Murphysboro Historic Preservation Commission’s (MHPC) “Restoration Hero” award recognizes individuals who restore historic structures without destroying their architectural integrity. The MHPC presented its first “Restoration Hero” award for 2023 at the January 31, 2023, Murphysboro City Council meeting. It went to Amy Mills for her restoration work at 1616 Walnut Street.

Built in 1925 to replace a structure destroyed by the March 18, 1925, Tri-State Tornado, 1616 Walnut was, for the majority of its existence a car dealership. It now houses Faye a café serving specialty coffees, handmade breakfast and lunch items. In choosing to restore instead of raze this building Mills saved not only a part of Murphysboro’s architectural history but also its unique streetscape.

The award is given on a quarterly basis and includes a yard sigh and certificate which designates the owner as a Murphysboro “Restoration Hero.

P. Michael Jones

Photos from the March 18, 1926 “Reconstruction Edition” of the Murphysboro and Faye today.