Hosted by members of the Jersey County Historical Society, the Columbia contingent spent several hours in Jerseyville exploring one place which conveniently brings together several historic properties: the Cheney Mansion, a museum & research center, a pioneer log cabin, and the Lone Star School. The one room school, which was moved to the Historical Society site and restored to the original condition, was of particular interest to Columbia's visitors since they are currently involved in restoration of three historic school buildings.
CHPC Chair Dennis Patton took particular interest in the brick courtyard surrounding the Lone Star School, which shows locations for every one room school located in Jersey County at the beginning of the 20th Century. Jersey County Historical Society members sold engraved bricks and benches for the courtyard to raise more than $37,000 to help defray costs of moving the school to the site. Patton is exploring a similar idea to commemorate one room schools across Monroe County--this brick courtyard will surround the new Monroe County Welcome Center in Columbia's Stone Arch Park.
The members of the CHPC enjoyed many other aspects of the Jerseyville historical complex, as well. Among other things, Jerseyville was a staging point in the clandestine, grassroots movement known as the Underground Railroad--the route of slaves escaping captivity in the antebellum South. One highlight of the museum is an Underground Railroad Quilt accompanied by posted explanation of its code. Secret messages in the form of quilt patterns are believed by many students of the era to have aided slaves escaping the bonds of captivity in the Southern states before and during the American Civil War.
Pictured above, right: CHPC Chair Dennis Patton discusses the brick courtyard around Lone Star School in Jerseyville with Patsy Halemeyer, a volunteer with the Jersey County Historical Society, while CHPC Vice Chair Linda Roider looks on.
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