PAST PROGRAMS & EVENTS
All programs are held in the MTPA Community Room (lower level of the building)
unless otherwise noted.
Visitors can schedule a visit at their convenience by contacting:
Curator Peggy Smith, 815-257-0707 or President, Cyndy Bruch, 815-343-4770.
History of McNabb Grain
Magnolia Township Preservation Association hosted Bart Ericson to share the history of McNabb Grain on Sunday, June 11, 2023.
Bart is the General Manager of McNabb Grain, serving in the position since 2010. McNabb Grain was organized March 22, 1913, as a farmers co-op.
McNabb Grain has served our local agricultural community for 110 years.
Hidden Headstone History
Magnolia Township Preservation Association Presented: Hidden Headstone History. What stories are buried in our cemeteries? Magnolia Township has 7 cemeteries, and we gathered hidden histories from each of them. This program was held on Sunday, April 24, 2024 @ 2pm at the MTPA Meeting Room, 110 North Peoria St, Magnolia, IL. It was funded by an Activate History Grant from Illinois Humanities. Magnolia Township Preservation Association Presents: This mission of the Magnolia Township Preservation Association is to research, collect, preserve, promote, and communicate the history of Magnolia Township to educate future generations.
Captain William Haws Bicentennial Celebration
In 1824, Captain William Haws was passing through the area now known as Magnolia Township on his way to Galena. He liked this countryside and decided to settle here. He carved his name on a tree and continued to Galena. In 1826, after finishing his business in Galena, he returned to this area and took possession of his claim. Captain Haws is credited with being the first permanent settler in Putnam County. He built a log cabin on the north side of Little Sandy Creek. Putnam County was organized in 1831 at a meeting in Captain Haws’ cabin.
William Haws was Captain, in the Black Hawk War, of a company of state militia. He led a wagon train to Oregon in 1847. He dug lead in Galena, gold in California and silver in Mexico.
Magnolia Township Preservation Association (MTPA) celebrated the bicentennial of Captain William Haws arriving in Magnolia. MTPA hosted the Captain Haws Bicentennial Celebration on August 17. There was also a car show from 10 am to 2 pm in the MTPA Museum parking lot. MTPA sold pork chop sandwiches, drinks and snacks. There was a slide show presentation on Captain Haws in the museum meeting room. It was a great turn out to celebrate the first settler arriving in Putnam County.
Magnolia Township Preservation Association (MTPA) has the mission to research, collect, preserve, promote, and communicate the history of Magnolia Township to educate future generations.
Denise & Dean Swain --A Love Story
Real Life is Better Than Fiction! How did a young woman who was part of the French Resistance come to live in McNabb, Illinois? The answer is love! Like many couples, WWII brought Denise and Dean Swain together. Harold “Dean” Swain was born and raised in McNabb, Illinois. Denise Mignot was born and raised in Dole, France. The two are buried next to each other in the Magnolia Cemetery. Dean’s headstone indicates he served in the Army and was awarded a Purple Heart. Denise’s headstone indicates a fascinating and little told story; Denise was a member of the French Resistance!
Come hear the love story of Denise and Dean Swain at the Magnolia Township Preservation Association’s (MTPA) museum. Their story will be told by Connie Halblieb, a member of Dean’s family. The program will be presented October 20, 2024, at 2 pm in the meeting room of MTPA museum, 110 N Peoria St. Magnolia. MTPA will also hold a brief annual meeting, followed by refreshments. The museum will be open before and after the program.
This is a piece of local history that few people have heard before. Historical fiction about the women of the French Resistance is very popular. Here is a chance to learn about a local woman who took part in this dangerous activity. MTPA’s mission is to research, collect, preserve, promote, and communicate the history of Magnolia Township to educate future generations.
The History of Magnolia - Celebrating 200 Years
Magnolia’s Bicentennial
Fifty years after the founding of our country, Magnolia, Illinois was founded as the first village in Putnam County.
In 1824, William Haws was traveling through what is now Magnolia Township on his way to Galena, Illinois. He thought the area was beautiful and an ideal place to farm and raise his family. He marked his claim on an area north of Magnolia, north of Little Sandy Creek, by carving his initials in a tree.
In 1826, William Haws returned to the area, filed his claim and started building his homestead. Others coming soon after William Haws were Stephan and James Willis and John Knox. After building a cabin, these men brought their families to live here. John Knox opened an inn at the future site of Magnolia, and the village grew up around it. By 1836 there were enough residents to call Magnolia a village.
Although Magnolia has a current population of less than 300 people, it once was thriving community. There were many businesses catering to agriculture as well as department stores, pharmacies, doctors and more.
To celebrate Magnolia’s 200th birthday, Magnolia Township Preservation Association will present a program on the history of Magnolia, August 15 at 2 pm in the museum meeting hall. The museum is located at 110 N Peoria Street, Magnolia. There is a handicap entrance at the back of our building. Come hear the history of the first village in Putnam County.
The mission of the Magnolia Township Preservation Association is to research, collect, preserve, promote, and communicate the history of Magnolia Township to educate future generations
