Mail Service in 1943 the Start of Zip Codes
(Headline from The Geneva Republican Newspaper, June 4, 1943) This is a post in celebration of the Geneva History Museum’s 75th anniversary, 1943 – 2018. Visit our Feature Gallery In Other Words: The History of Communication in Geneva to learn more about Geneva’s postal service. Open through November 3. The new method of speeding up […]
Heavyweight Champion Jack Johnson’s Connection to Geneva
Jack Johnson, the legendary first black heavyweight boxing champion from 1908-1915, was pardoned by President Donald Trump on May 24 from a criminal conviction in 1913 for transporting a white woman across state lines. In the summer of 1920, Johnson was charged again for the same crime and was sent to Joliet prison to await […]
Not a Teenager’s Typical Sunday Morning
In honor of Memorial Day, this article from the Museum’s archives was written by Charles T. Sehe, who grew up in Geneva, enlisted in the US Navy and survived the attack on Pear Harbor, December 7, 1941. I do not need Memorial Day or Veteran’s Day observances to remind me of how war changes Veteran’s […]
Geneva Received National Publicity for RAMS – Geneva 1943
(Headline from The Geneva Republican Newspaper, May 7, 1943) Geneva is getting national publicity due to an organization which was formulated by Mrs. Edmond Raftery of The Little Traveler. The groups is known as the RAMS and means “Relieve A Man,” for war work or service is their aim. At the present time there are […]
Morell’s Cleaners Opens – Geneva 1943
(Headline from The Geneva Republican Newspaper, May 7, 1943) Morrell’s Finer Cleaners today open a branch store in Geneva at 128 West State Street. Extensive remodeling transformed this location in the First National Bank building into a first class “cash and carry” office. Specially designed cases with fluorescent lighting have been installed throughout. The color […]
Museum is Strategic Partner in Economic Development
Letter received from Ashland Ventures LLC., Paul E. Kawalek, Chairman March 23, 2018 “This note is long overdue. All of us at Ahsland Ventures LLC wish to extend you and your team at the Geneva History Museum our deepest gratitude for all you have done to facilitate our re-development of 25 N. Third Street in […]
Community Invests in Summer Playground Plan – Geneva 1943
(Headline from The Geneva Republican Newspaper, March 19, 1943) With Mrs. R. E. Armstrong presenting an idea for the program and backed by representatives of the local Girl and Boy Scouts and other civic organizations, the Geneva city council at the mid-month meeting Monday night agreed to give favorable consideration to a plan for supervised […]
Geneva Wrestler in State Finals – Geneva 1943
(Sports in the News from The Geneva Republican Newspaper, March 5, 1943) Bob Williams, Geneva’s 115 lb. captain qualified for the state wrestling finals to be held at the University of Illinois. Williams and Al Birch were the only Geneva wrestlers to place in the sectional tournament held at Morton high school. Williams won the […]
Rat Problem! – Geneva 1943
(Front page of The Geneva Republican Newspaper, February 19, 1943) The Geneva city council at the mid-month meeting Monday night considered the best method to employ for extermination of the rats that are said to be numerous and unusually large in the vicinity of Logan Avenue and along the stores in State Street. Alderman Richard […]
Geneva Artist to be Inducted
William Moulis was a world-renowned, accomplished artist for 48 years from 1941 to 1989. He was known for his mural paintings, as well as oils, watercolors, gouaches and collages. Most of his work featured flat, vivid colors reminiscent of French artist Henri Rousseau. As a world traveler, his subject matter was usually inspired by […]