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BICENTENNIAL SPEAKER SERIES  SCHEDULED IN 2025

The Historical Society of Quincy & Adams County and John Wood Community College are sponsoring a program by Arlis Dittmer entitled Another Nurse, Another War about the amazing life of Lauretta Eno. The program will be held on March 12 beginning at 6:30 pm in JWCC’s Mary Ellen Orr Auditorium, 1301 S. 48th Street in Quincy. 

Eno had an amazing life. She served as a Navy nurse at the Navy Hospital in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, during the bombing in 1941; she was also assigned to a hospital ship during the war.   Following the war she earned a master’s degree in nursing administration. She was later named director of nursing services and nursing education at Quincy’s Blessing Hospital where her first goal was changing the nursing school from service-centered to a sound academically centered school.

This program is the second presentation of the Bicentennial Speaker Series sponsored by JWCC and HSQAC during the bicentennial year. 

Dittmer is a retired health science librarian and former president of the Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County. During her years with Blessing Health System, she became interested in medical and nursing history—both topics frequently overlooked in history.

On Thursday, March 13, audience participants are also invited to attend “Morning Brew and Review,” a day after discussion of the program, held in the Historical Society’s Visitor Center Lounge, 425 South 12th, beginning at 9:00 am. 

The program and “Morning Brew and Review” are free of charge and open to the public.

Further information is available at hsqac.org or by contacting the HSQAC Office at 217-222-1835. 

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JWCC/HSQAC

2025 BICENTENNIAL SPEAKER SERIES

March 12-Another Nurse’s Story…Another War                                                                                                  Arlis Dittmer                                                                                                                                                                April 9-Lincoln’s Medical Issues                                                                                                                              Dr. George Crickard                                                                                                                                                    May 14 – The Underground Railroad in This Area                                                                                             

Dr. Patrick Hotle and Terrell Dempsey                                                                                                                      June 11 - The Black Churches of Adams County                                                                                                  Rev. Orville Jones                                                                                                                                                      July 9 - Was Abraham Lincoln a Dictator: A Debate                                                                                            Dr. Sam Wheeler and Dr. Steve Belko                                                                                                               

August 13 – George Iles and the Tuskegee Airmen                                                                                              Rob Mellon                                                                                                                                                           

September 10 – City of Refuge – The Illinois Mormons                                                                               

Dave Harbin                                                                                                                                                     

October 8 – The Pfanschmidt Murders                                                                                                                  Beth  Lane                                                                                                                                               

November 12 – Indigenous People of Adams County and the Potawatomie Trail of Death     

Dr. Michael Wiant                                                                                                                                 

December 10 – Tales of John Wood and His Adams County                                                                              Reg Ankrom

HISTORY MINUTES

The Historical Society, in conjunction with WGEM, is currently writing a series of tiny stories about people and events in Adams County entitled History Minutes to celebrate the county's Bicentennial year.  The "Minutes" run on the 5 :00 pm Nightly News every weekday evening and at various other times on the channel.  HSQAC members and friends are writing the pieces.  If you would like to participate, please contact the Society's Office at 217-222-1835. 

The "Minutes are also featured on the WGEM website. 

GOLDEN COLLECTIVE BRIGHTENS MUSEUM GIFT SHOP

Golden Collective will become the premier merchandise providers for Quincy's History Shop, the gift shop in the history Museum, effective immediately.  The duo will provide a wide selection of Quincy-related items, many with custom designs featuring landmarks and events from the Gem City.

An Open House is being planned for Saturay, March 15.  Drop by 332 Maine in Quincy and check out their new merchandise!