The Beginnings - The First Year
Early summer 2013 Early Summer 2014
Gillespie city officials meet with Bill Kelly from Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byways to discuss Route 66 and Gillespie economic development. Subsequent research into the first alignment of Route 66, 1926 - 1930, produced a virtual whisper from the Mother Road but a roar from the legacy of the coal mining industry. The story of coal mining in Illinois, Macoupin County, and in Gillespie is too compelling to remain in the shadows.
Any internet search of coal combined with Gillespie, Illinois, Macoupin County, and numerous other search words leads to the work of local historian Wayne Hinton. The vast amount of information compiled over many years and many miles spotlights and add gravitas to our choice of Gillespie, for the Illinois Coal Museum At Gillespie.
Late summer 2013
Gillespie alderman and retired union official Jim Alderson hosts community forum to assess interest in a coal mining museum in Gillespie.
Sam Spearing, civil and mining engineer/professor/citizen of the world offers encouragement, identifies numerous world classed coal museums worthy of research, and plants the seed for our project. Although he will soon be consulting us from Australia, Sam will be leaving behind his strong network of industry colleagues that will be of invaluable assistance.
The Gillespie City Council embraces the concept of the museum and a downtown beautification plan to attract visitors and promote economic growth. The museum, murals, planters, and Route 66 and mining related photo ops will be part of an aggressive plan to attract Route 66 travelers and Mother Jones followers.
The Gillespie Coal Mining Heritage Commission is formed. (attach resolution PDF)
The take a way concept from the early meetings - GO BIG - WE HAVE A HUGE STORY TO TELL !)
Through separate, though similar paths (Jim Alderson, Mt. Olive Union Miners Cemetery, and Mother Jones), two university professors join Sam Spearing as valuable contacts.
Laura Davis, University of Illinois anthropologist has shown interest in the immigrants drawn by the advent of our numerous coal mines and the culturally diverse communities that boomed, thrived, then declined with the fortunes of coal. The mining of local records combined with interviews of the remaining miners.
Rosemary Feurer, NIU, is a well published authority on Mother Jones and well versed in our rich union history that defined the United States labor movement.
Through networking additional contacts including Dean Spindler DNR and Scott Elrick IGS, and others were identified. more encouraging input.
The long process of choosing and procuring a building begins.
January: The 1st. floor has heat, lights, and water.
February: The first floor clean up begins with the removal of waste and the remaining 'bank' fixtures, walls and ceiling.
March and April: The 'Gray Haired Demo Crew' worked to completely gut the first floor and emptying of the basement and the second floor of "junk" in preparation of the mold abatement and asbestos removal. The all volunteer Demo-Crew has saved thousands of dollars!
May: The professionals have begun the actual mold abatement and asbestos removal. At a 3 to 4 week estimate for the clean up and inspection leaves very little time to set up a 'mini-museum' for the June 11th and 12th Blue Carpet Corridor Festival visitors. As the City of Gillespie proceeds with the planning and remodeling of the building, the focus of the Museum Board will turn to fundraising, display item acquisition, and the fabrication of the exhibits.
June: Environmental Resources, Inc. and EnviroLife Consulting, LLC developed and followed a comprehensive plan to give the City of Gillespie a clean and safe building to develop. While the City reviews options for the use of whole structure, the museum has been given permission to use the first floor to develop the various exhibits. The public will be able to observe the work in progress and share memories and memorabilia to aid in the telling of our local history.
The exhibit concepts are roughed in and temporary displays are laid out to fill the buildings' first floor. June 11 and 12 local and Route 66 visitors gave our prototype floor plan very positive reviews and great encouragement.
Early summer 2013 Early Summer 2014
Gillespie city officials meet with Bill Kelly from Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byways to discuss Route 66 and Gillespie economic development. Subsequent research into the first alignment of Route 66, 1926 - 1930, produced a virtual whisper from the Mother Road but a roar from the legacy of the coal mining industry. The story of coal mining in Illinois, Macoupin County, and in Gillespie is too compelling to remain in the shadows.
Any internet search of coal combined with Gillespie, Illinois, Macoupin County, and numerous other search words leads to the work of local historian Wayne Hinton. The vast amount of information compiled over many years and many miles spotlights and add gravitas to our choice of Gillespie, for the Illinois Coal Museum At Gillespie.
Late summer 2013
Gillespie alderman and retired union official Jim Alderson hosts community forum to assess interest in a coal mining museum in Gillespie.
Sam Spearing, civil and mining engineer/professor/citizen of the world offers encouragement, identifies numerous world classed coal museums worthy of research, and plants the seed for our project. Although he will soon be consulting us from Australia, Sam will be leaving behind his strong network of industry colleagues that will be of invaluable assistance.
The Gillespie City Council embraces the concept of the museum and a downtown beautification plan to attract visitors and promote economic growth. The museum, murals, planters, and Route 66 and mining related photo ops will be part of an aggressive plan to attract Route 66 travelers and Mother Jones followers.
The Gillespie Coal Mining Heritage Commission is formed. (attach resolution PDF)
The take a way concept from the early meetings - GO BIG - WE HAVE A HUGE STORY TO TELL !)
Through separate, though similar paths (Jim Alderson, Mt. Olive Union Miners Cemetery, and Mother Jones), two university professors join Sam Spearing as valuable contacts.
Laura Davis, University of Illinois anthropologist has shown interest in the immigrants drawn by the advent of our numerous coal mines and the culturally diverse communities that boomed, thrived, then declined with the fortunes of coal. The mining of local records combined with interviews of the remaining miners.
Rosemary Feurer, NIU, is a well published authority on Mother Jones and well versed in our rich union history that defined the United States labor movement.
Through networking additional contacts including Dean Spindler DNR and Scott Elrick IGS, and others were identified. more encouraging input.
The long process of choosing and procuring a building begins.
January: The 1st. floor has heat, lights, and water.
February: The first floor clean up begins with the removal of waste and the remaining 'bank' fixtures, walls and ceiling.
March and April: The 'Gray Haired Demo Crew' worked to completely gut the first floor and emptying of the basement and the second floor of "junk" in preparation of the mold abatement and asbestos removal. The all volunteer Demo-Crew has saved thousands of dollars!
May: The professionals have begun the actual mold abatement and asbestos removal. At a 3 to 4 week estimate for the clean up and inspection leaves very little time to set up a 'mini-museum' for the June 11th and 12th Blue Carpet Corridor Festival visitors. As the City of Gillespie proceeds with the planning and remodeling of the building, the focus of the Museum Board will turn to fundraising, display item acquisition, and the fabrication of the exhibits.
June: Environmental Resources, Inc. and EnviroLife Consulting, LLC developed and followed a comprehensive plan to give the City of Gillespie a clean and safe building to develop. While the City reviews options for the use of whole structure, the museum has been given permission to use the first floor to develop the various exhibits. The public will be able to observe the work in progress and share memories and memorabilia to aid in the telling of our local history.
The exhibit concepts are roughed in and temporary displays are laid out to fill the buildings' first floor. June 11 and 12 local and Route 66 visitors gave our prototype floor plan very positive reviews and great encouragement.
