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Ladies Aid Society of Malone
circa 1899
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[Source: Collection of Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences (Peoria, IL), Gift of Merle Glick]The above "banner" is an embroidered cloth map of Tazewell County dated circa 1899. The banner is constructed of felt and is approximately 40" x 50". It was handmade by the Ladies Aid Society of Malone, Illinois.
The banner is currently part of the collection of Peoria's Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences. The museum will have the banner on display until mid June of 2008.
The museum thinks the banner was probably made for the occasion of the dedication of the Civil War Soldier & Sailors Monument in Peoria's courthouse square in 1899. The monument was erected by the Peoria Ladies Memorial Day Association. The October 1899 dedication was attended by President McKinley. Surrounding communities were invited to create contributions for the celebration.
The Tazewell County residents listed on the banner were surviving Civil War veterans. From information provided on the banner, the Ladies Aid Society members included not only those living in Malone Township but also from surrounding townships in Tazewell, Mason & Logan Counties. Someone in the Society has suggested that the names in each of the townships may be that township's supervisor.
If you can answer any of the the following questions or add any additional information, please contact the society:
What is known about the Ladies Aid Society of Malone?
Does it still exist?
Are the meeting minutes in someone's attic?
What was their "mission statement"?
Where did they originally display the banner?
Why were area businesses listed on the banner?
In 1997 or 1998, a quilt, also make by the Ladies Aid Society of Malone, was offered for sale to the Society by its owner, an area antique dealer. At the time, the Society was spending most of its energy and funds on acquiring our research center building. Therefore, it was declined due to the price he was asking.
The quilt was made of patchwork flannel or felt. Names were embroidered in each patch. Perhaps there are more Malone Ladies Aid pieces still extant. Can you tell us more?
The Society wishes to thank the Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences of Peoria and donor Merle Glick for allowing us to publish the above photograph on our website.
Questions about Lakeview Museum's collections may be addressed to:
Kristan H. McKinsey
VP of Collections and Exhibitions
Lakeview Museum of Arts & Sciences
1125 W. Lake Ave.
Peoria, IL 61614-5985
309-686-7000, ext. 134
kristanm@lakeview-museum.org
