Bunker Hill Preserves Past with New Museum

Pictured: Bunker Hill Historical Society Museum - 114 East Warren St.

This article was printed in the Alton Telegraph in October 1999

BUNKER HILL --  People can get a glimpse into the history of Bunker Hill at a new museum that opens this month.

    Charter members of the Bunker Hill Historical Society celebrated the opening of their new history museum on Oct. 9 during the Bunker Hill Octoberfest.  The museum, located at 114 E. Warren St, is open each Saturday from 10:00 AM to noon.  The city of Bunker Hill donated the building to the Historical Society.  The building was at one time the City Hall headquarters.

    The building was renovated after a $20,000 donation was made by a local resident through the American Association of Retired Persons.

    According to Bunker Hill Historical Society President Eldon Duelm, the Historical Society incorporated in late February and began its charter year on April 1.

Pictured: Members of the Bunker Hill Historical Society are surrounded by memoralia at the new museum.  Members include front row: Marian Whitfield, curator; Betty Zarges, Carolyn Scroggins, Thelma Roberts, treasurer.  Back row: Bonnie Hopkins, secretary; Eldon Duelm, president, Mary Lawton and Carl Stanton. --Photo credit: For the Telegraph, Keith Wedoe

    He said anyone can make his own little piece of history by becoming a charter member.  In order to become a charter member of the Historical Society, people may contact one of the members and pay $5.00 by March 30, 2000.

    "We're looking for a commitment," said Duelm.  "We're dealing with history and 50 years from now it will be important to say you were a charter member."

    Currently the museum is displaying memorabilia of two well-known doctors.  Items of Dr. Robert Bley and Dr. George Hess are being displayed on loan from Mrs. George Hess..

    Duelm said the museum is displaying a doctor's bag, exam chair, a cabinet with medical tools and medical license.

    Also on display at the museum are a hand made rocking chair form the early 1800's loaned by Lucille Mize and some turn-of-the-century baseball uniforms from the Bunker Hill Military Academy.

    The museum will be open at special hours on Veteran's Day, Nov. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Duelm said that in November the museum would emphasize military memorabilia.  In December, Christmas items will be displayed

    He said anyone who would like to display items at the museum or who would like to become a charter member can contact Carolyn Scroggins at (618) 585-4847; Carl Stanton at (618) 585-3152; Thelma Roberts at (618) 585-4692; or Duelm at (618) 585-3139.


    People who wish to join the Historical Society may also send their name, address and $5.00 to: Bunker Hill Historical Society, P.O. Box 12, Bunker Hill, IL  62014.

    Duelm said there are approximately 150 charter members of the Bunker Hill Historical Society.

NOTE: Original board members were:

• Elden Duelm, President
• Bonnie Hopkins, Secretary
• Thelma Roberts, Treasurer
• Marian Whitfield, Curator
• Betty Zarges
• Carolyn Scroggins
• Mary Lawton
• Carl Stanton  

Today, Betty Zarges and Thelma Roberts are still on the board

Pictured. Bunker Hill Historical Society Board Members - June 2010*

Left to right are board members of the Bunker Hill Historical Society: Liz Wieseman, Bonna Hopkins, Carolyn Scroggins, Betty Zarges, Carlos Arzuagas, Carole Bierbaum, Mary Lawton, and President Marty Lane.  Not pictured is Bill Wilkinson.

Bunker Hill Historical Society Officers and Board members

March 2020

• Marty Lane, President
• Vice President: Vacant
• Carlos Arzuagas, Secretary
• Liz Wieseman, Treasurer
• Senior Archivist:  Vacant
• Betty Zarges
• Thelma Roberts
• Glenna Hopper
• Sharon Rhodes.

Bunker Hill Historical Society and Museum will open for the season, March 7;

Hours for the Museum are:

Saturday, 10:00 A.M. until Noon

For visits anytime, Please Call 618-585-4718.   

...Read more about this and other Bunker Hill, IL historical stories here at https://bunkerhillhistory.org/

--Cite this story: Nolan, Donna J. "Bunker Hill Preserves Past with New Museum." Alton Telegraph, October 1999

*The Bunker Hill IL Historical Society. "A Look Back in Bunker Hill History." Bunker Hill Gazette-News, June 10, 2010. 

The Bunker Hill Armistice Day Parade - 1918

Armistice Day, 1918, a joyful occasion and the townspeople of Bunker Hill celebrated the ending of the "War to end all wars".  

Pictured are Bill Baker and Otto Brummer, who drove this flag-draped truck in an Armistice Day Parade.

While that day is gone and all but forgotten, it can be relived from the pictures taken that day.  They are the property of Mrs. Carl (Vivian) Roberts of Gillespie who was a young girl at the time.  She does not remember who took the pictures but that she did not for she wanted to be beside her mother, who was honored that day as one of the two leaders of the local Red Cross group.

The Red Cross workers gathered on Washington Street for their photograph.  Mrs. Thomas Baker and Mrs. Ed Campbell wore the red headgear because they were the local Red Cross leaders.  

Mrs. Roberts thought that some local residents might remember some of the people pictured and get enjoyment from them.  Most of her family pictures were lost in the two tornadoes, 1930 and 1948 which struck Bunker Hill.  Most of their pictures were lost at that time.

  

The Baker residence (Mrs. Roberts maiden name was Baker and she was a sister to "Bill" and "Tommy" Baker) was located on South Washington, and after the second tornado, the location was given to Thomas Baker, who built the Sharon Theater there and which is now the location of Bunker Hill Auto Parts.

...Read more about this and other Bunker Hill, IL historical stories at https://bunkerhillhistory.org/

--Cite this story:  The Bunker Hill Historical Society, "Photos Taken During Armistice Day, 1918 Parade in Bunker Hill" The Bunker Hill Gazette-News 29 January 1986.