Thomas Beard - hidden in plain sight

Lincoln NewsletterA publication of the Old Lincoln Courtroom & Museum Commission

Beardstown, IllinoisFall 2011

History was never my strong suit– nor did I especially enjoy listeningto teachers drone on about eventsthat were long past – or memoriz-ing endless dates that seemed torun together into a string of – well– numbers.

If I couldn’t add or subtract thenumbers, why bother? But, I wasyoung – and planning to avoidgrowing old, lest I too shouldbecome a statistic to forget.

Of course, life has a way ofchanging our perspectives. I’ve livedmore history than I’d like to consid-er, and now I find myself fascinatedwith the way our lives are shapedby that history.

History changes things and withit, things become changed. A per-fect example lay hidden right beforeour eyes in the Founder’s Room ofthe Old Lincoln Courtroom &Museum. As I walked into the roomone day, I noticed the painting ofThomas Beard was damaged. Theevidence was clearly visible. Thepage 2 article of the 2011 SecondQuarter Newsletter entitled,Thomas Beard is up the river…”(www.abelincolninillinois.org)explained the portrait had beensent to River Forest for restorationby a renowned conservator, BarryBauman, an elected fellow of TheAmerican Institute for Conserva-tion.

Little did anyone know that visi-ble damage was just the proverbialtip of the iceberg.

On July 8, I received an e-mailindicating that the restoration hadbeen completed.

In the words of Bauman, “It wasmore than an unusual treatment...The painting was repainted during

past ‘restorations,’ and not once,but twice.”

To the right are pictures takenbefore (top), during (center), andafter (bottom) the treatment. Whatan amazing transformation!

Bauman said, “The overpaint wasremoved using scalpel assistanceunder binocular magnification. The(center) image shows the face par-tially cleaned exposing an underly-ing discolored oil film. Full cleaningof the overpaint and the oil hasreturned the portrait to its originalappearance.”

The Old Lincoln Courtroom &Museum Commission is grateful toBarry Bauman for his expertise andtalent in bringing Thomas Beardback to us in his natural form.

We anticipate working with Bau-man in the future to conserve andpreserve the historic treasuresentrusted to our care. Just imaginethe countless other stories that arehidden right before our eyes.

Bauman is the former associateconservator of paintings for the ArtInstitute of Chicago.

For the past eight years, all of hiswork has been offered exclusively tomuseums and non-profits on a probono basis.

View Bauman’s website and biog-raphy at www.baumanconserva-tion.com.

View other restoration projects athttp://baumanconservation.com/members87.html.

-Suzanne McClure

Thomas Beard returns: Youare invited to view the restoredThomas Beard painting, which isagain on display in the Founder’sRoom.

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One of the more popular exhibitsat the Old Lincoln Courtroom andMuseum in Beardstown is a paint-ing that shows Thomas Beard onthe banks of the Illinois River withan American Indian and settlers inthe background.

This oil painting was created in1914 by John C. Garm, a Beard-stown resident.

The painting originally was dis-played on a wall in the first floorhallway of Beard school until theschool was closed in 1982. Thepainting then moved to its presenthome on the old courthouse build-ing.

Local artist, Bill Barnhart, hasbeen asked by the Old LincolnCourtroom & Museum Commissionto coordinate fundraising for therestoration of this 97-year-old folkart painting.

This summer, the painting wasremoved from the courthouse andtaken to River Forest, Ill., where itwill be restored by Barry Bauman.

Bauman is the former associateconservator of paintings for the ArtInstitute of Chicago. Over the pasteight years, he has offered his serv-ices exclusively to museums andnon-profits on a pro bono basis.

Bauman recently completed therestoration of the Old LincolnCourtroom & Museum’s Beardpainting (see page 1).

While Bauman donates his timeand talents, funds will be requiredto pay for the materials and sup-plies required to complete therestoration project.

Donations are requested fromthose wishing to see this heritagepainting restored to its naturalbeauty.

Contributions may be sent toWilliam Barnhart, 300 W. NinthStreet, Beardstown IL 62618 or toSuzanne McClure, 1 Pine Lane,Beardstown IL 62618.

Checks should be made payableto the Old Lincoln CourtroomCommission with notation made

that the funds are for the restora-tion of the Beard School painting ofThomas Beard.

Of interest - While we knowJohn C. Garm created the Beardpainting that once was displayed atBeard School, we do not know whocreated the recently restored Beardpainting.

Bauman is of the opinion that itwas painted by an itinerate artist,who likely charged a dollar or twofor the work. He believes the paint-ing was created in the 1830s.

Through most of the 19th centu-ry, a good number of artists madetheir living by traveling from townto town to create paintings of indi-viduals, families, homesteads andother images for local residents.

In the years following the CivilWar, these artists gradually weresupplanted by photographers.

In the tradition of the itinerateartists, photographers took to theskies after World War II to captureon film aerial views of homes andfarms. They then would go to thosehomes, offering to sell residents thephotographic images. Many ofthose photographs continue to betreasured by residents through thisarea and across the country.

As photograph pushed the artistaside, satellite images and the Webhave eroded much of the demandfor aerial photography.

Ironically, demand for original oilpaintings and watercolors has beenon the upswing over the past twodecades. Of course, it is unlikelyyou will find an itinerate artist will-ing to paint your portrait for a dol-lar or two.

Second Beard painting set for restoration

Paul Blakeman (on ladder) and Ross Foley remove the Thomas Beardpainting from the first floor hallway in the courthouse. The painting will berestored following a fundraising effort.

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the USS Ship Memorial of Evans-ville, Ind.

In January of 2001, the LST wasreturned to the United States whena veteran crew brought it on a6,500-miler journey from Crete toMobile, Ala.

LST-325 is one of only twoWorld War II LSTs to be preservedin the United States.

We hope you can tour LST-325,which now serves as a museum andliving memorial for the men whocourageously served about LSTs.

Community Opportunity

Inside the entrance to the OldLincoln Courtroom & Museum is alocked wall case that is begging fora change.

The OLCM is offering the com-munity the opportunity to show offits history. Perhaps you have anhistoric treasure or a piece of mem-orabilia in your home or lock boxthat you don't wish to part with, butwould be willing to have displayedon a temporary basis. The museumis hoping that you will choose todisplay such items in our entry hallfor 30 to 60 days. The donorwould be in charge of displayarrangement and explanation of thepiece(s). You tell your story! Weinvite anyone who has historic orappropriate items that they wish todisplay for a short period of time tocontact any member of the OLCMCommission to discuss this greatopportunity.

National POW/MIARecognition Day

On Sept. 11, the United StatesNational POW/MIA RecognitionDay will be observed.

Many Americans pause toremember the sacrifices and serviceof those who were prisoners of war(POW), as well as those who aremissing in action (MIA), and theirfamilies. All military installations flythe National League of POW/MISFamilies flag, which symbolizes thenation’s remembrance of those whowere imprisoned while serving inconflicts and those who remainmissing.

Beardstown’s VFW Post #1239will present a special recognitionceremony for local POW’s andMIA’s at 10:00 a.m. on Friday,September 16, 2011.

The tribute will be held in the OldLincoln Courtroom and the displaywill later be housed in the MilitaryRoom of the museum.

The Old Lincoln Courtroom &Museum Commission is honored tohost this solemn event. Everyone iswelcome and encouraged to attend.

The National League ofPOW/MIS Families flag symbolizesthe America’s resolve to never for-get POW's or those who servedtheir country in conflicts and arestill missing.

National POW/MIA RecognitionDay is not a federal public holidayin the United States, but it is anational observance.

For more information, visit theNational League of POW/MIS Fam-ilies: www.pow-miafamilies.org.

Area residents willhave a special opportu-nity to see a livingpiece of history whenLST-325 visits Mere-dosia on Sept. 13 and14.

Tours of the LST willbe given from 9:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The LST (LandingShip, Tank) is anamphibious vesseldesigned to land battle-ready tanks,troops and supplies directly onenemy-held shores.

Commissioned on Feb. 1, 1942,LST-325 participated in the inva-sions of Sicily, Salerno and the D-Day invasion of Normandy.

On Dec. 28, 1944, LST-325helped in the rescue of more than700 men aboard the EmpireJavelin, a troop transport that hadbeen torpedoed by a German U-Boat off the cost of France.

After surviving the battles ofWorld II, LST-325 nearly met herend on May 11, 1945. Sailing witha convoy from Belfast, Ireland, tothe U.S., the ships encountered afierce storm on May 12. LST-325slammed bow first into a monstrouswave and a crack developed acrossthe main deck. Shipfitters were ableto save the ship by welding steelplates across the damaged hull.Blessed by fair weather the rest ofthe way, LST-325 sailed into Nor-folk, Va., on May 31.

LST-325 was decommissioned onJuly 2, 1946, but was reactivated in1951 for service in the Military SeaTransport Service arctic operations.During this time she was designatedas USNS LST-325.

Following deactivation in 1961,she was reactivated in 1963 andtransferred to the Greek navy inMay 1964. While in Greece, shewas named Syros L-144.

The LST was again decommis-sioned in December 1999. The fol-lowing year, she was acquired by

LST-325 to be in Meredosia

Friends reportOn July 16, a celebration was

held in honor of the “Friends of theCourtroom”

Our timing may have been off abit, as the event coincided with afundraising event for a local 10-yearold who was diagnosed in Decem-ber with osteosarcoma and theBeardstown Cruise Night.

However, our most loyal“Friends” came, and we looked atthe updated displays, ate horsd’oeuvres, and listened to thesounds of the city square – hot carsand one honest-to-goodness localdragster. VROOOM!

But the most beautiful sounds ofthe evening came right from ourvery own Lincoln Courtroom,where Amanda and Alexis DeSollarsang their duets.

These lovely young ladies havebeen singing together since theywere children. Amanda now is 22,a graduate of the University of Illi-nois and set to begin VeterinarySchool at the U of I this fall.

Alexis, 17, will be a senior atBeardstown High School. Bothremain active in music and theater.For our great pleasure, they sangpatriotic songs – from Civil War tocurrent times. Dressed for the red,white and blue occasion – Amandain her GREAT red shoes and whitedress, complimented by Alexis’ bluedress – the young ladies broughttears to the eyes and goose bumpsto the skin.

The Old Lincoln Courtroom &Museum Commission thanks Aman-da and Alexis for sharing theirincredible gift and making our Julycelebration unforgettable.

To become a Friend, completethe application on this page.

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Friends of the Old Lincoln Courtroom & Museum

Yes, I wish to become a Friend as follows:

_ Mr. Lincoln’s Friend: Annual Gift $25.00_ Mr. Lincoln’s Bar: Annual Gift $50.00_ Mr. Lincoln’s Barristers: Annual Gift $100.00_ Mr. Lincoln’s Judges Chambers: Annual Gift $500.00

_ I prefer to become a lifetime member of Mr. Lincoln’s Supreme Court.My pledge is in the amount of $_____________.

Method of Contribution_ My Annual Gift is enclosed: Amount: $______________ I’d like to make my annual gift in two equal installments.

[Mr. Lincoln’s Barristers; Mr. Lincoln’s Judges Chambers; Mr. Lincoln’s Supreme Court only]

Installments will be due March 1 and September 1

_ I’d like to make my annual gift in four equal quarterly installments.[Mr. Lincoln’s Supreme Court only]

Installments will be due March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1

Name: _________________________________________________________ Name: _________________________________________________________Address: _______________________________________________________City: ______________________________ State: _________ Zip: _________ E-mail__________________________________________________________

Please forward your payment to:

Friends of the Old Lincoln Courtroom & Museum1 Pine LaneBeardstown IL 62618

Check here if this is a renewal of your membership ____

Museum & Gift Shop

April 4 - Dec. 3, 2011

10:00 a.m. ~ 4:00 p.m.

Monday thru Saturday

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1900s. A second plant, Mayes andMullen, began in 1912.

Meredosia’s third button factorywas launched by John Elden andWilbur Boyd in 1927. Three yearslater, Boyd acquired Elden’s inter-est, renaming the business theWilbur E. Boyd Button Company.While other companies faltered andfailed, Boyd’s continued until the

fall of 1948. When it closed, it wasthe last independent button factoryin the United States.

The pearl button industry beganto shrink as the mussel beds weredepleted. The end came when inex-pensive plastic buttons gained favorwith the garment industry.

-Connie Foley

For the answer to our headlineyou need look no further than theOld Lincoln Courtroom and Muse-um.

Visit the Vintage Clothing Roomwhere you will see buttons of thefollowing classifications:

Goodyear Rubber circa 1851;Celluloid; Animal Horn; Novelty,Beardstown Pearl; Bakelite; Poly-mer; Plastic; Tagua Nut; Twinkles;Glass; Assorted Metals and Moth-er/Daughter Bakelite.

The members of the DisplayCommittee, which is comprised ofDottie Gholson, Melanie Schroll,Ellie Meyer and Connie Foley,worked endless hours tying eachbutton onto tag board after design-ing the button classification’s lay-out.

Alberta Niestradt of Arenzville,cousin of Anna Niestradt and hersister Nina Niestradt Brown, donat-ed the majority of the buttons. Thecollection belonged to the sisters.

The Display Committee hadmany discussions concerning howthe buttons would be displayed untilthey visited the VFW Hall and sawthe display cases which house thenames of soldiers from the areawho served in the military. Thedesign of the cases was what thecommittee felt would best displaythe buttons.

Paul Blakeman (pictured on right)was contacted, and he took the ideaof the committee and created aone-of-a-kind case for the buttons.There are15 framed sections withinone large oak case. A locked doorprotects the buttons.

The committee is sure there isnot another button display case likeit in the state of Illinois!

Of interest - With the discoveryof the Illinois River mussel beds,button cutting became a thrivingcottage industry. The iridescentpearl buttons were in high demandin this country as well as Europe. InMeredosia, it is believed the firstbutton factory opened in the early

Button. Button. Who’s got the button?

‘Way We Worked’exhibit coming toBeardstown

Beginning on Jan. 7 and runningthrough Feb. 18, the BeardstownHouston Memorial Library willhouse the Smithsonian Museum onMain Street exhibit “The Way WeWorked.”

The Old Lincoln Courtroom andMuseum is partnering with thelibrary to present this exhibit.

The Illinois Humanities Council issponsoring the exhibit with financialand advisory help, and Ameren Illi-nois has given the OLCM a gener-ous grant to help with expenses.

Commission Chair SuzanneMcClure and Commissioner PaulaWoods attended a preliminarymeeting for the exhibit along withrepresentatives from the five othercommunities which will host theexhibit.

Later, Paula attended a meetingconcerning the programs and sitespecific display

McClure, Woods and JessChelette will attend a hands-on“how to set up the exhibit” meetingin September.

Representatives from the IllinoisHumanities Council met with repre-sentatives from Beardstown tocheck out Beardstown’s site inAugust. There will be meetingsregarding docent education at afuture date.

There is much work to be donein order for us to have a meaningfulexhibit. This is a project for thecommunity, not simply an exhibitthat is a set of kiosks with picturesfrom the National Archives showingpeople at work.

Your ideas are needed!

Anyone with materials that mightbe useful for the site specific displayor with ideas about the programs,which can concern the ways inwhich Beardstown worked, is work-ing, and may work in the future,

how we identify with work – as indi-viduals and as communities.Whether you live in “Steel Town,USA” or wear a uniform each day,work assigns cultural meanings andputs us and our communities in alarger context.

The exhibition will offer multipleinterpretive opportunities for visi-tors through large graphics, alongwith relevant objects and workclothing. Through audio compo-nents, hear from workers their ownstories about with changes in theirindustries and confronting work-place challenges. Follow workersinto their workplaces through filmsof various industries. Interactivecomponents will introduce visitorsto the experiences of multiple gen-erations of families involved in thesame work. A companion websitewill invite host communities to cre-ate online exhibitions on their localwork history and for visitors toshare their own work experiences.

-Paula Woods

please don’t be shy. Send ideas to Paula Woods at

pmw41@casscomm.com or call herat 217-323-4514.

The Smithsonian describes TheWay We Worked as follows:

The exhibition focuses on why wework and the needs that our jobsfulfill. Our work takes place every-where – on the land, on the streetsof our communities, in offices andfactories, in our homes, and even inspace. An exploration of the toolsand technologies that enabled andassisted workers also reveals howworkers sometimes found them-selves with better tools, but alsowith faster, more complex andoften more stressful work environ-ments. The diversity of the Ameri-can workforce is one of itsstrengths, providing an opportunityto explore how people of all racesand ethnicities identified commonal-ities and worked to knock downbarriers in the professional world.And, finally, the exhibition shows

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At one time, more than 2,000 people worked for the Chicago, Burlington& Quincy Railroad at Beardstown. This photo shows the old CB&Q coal-ing dock that was south of the Beardstown roundhouse.

Building & GroundsCommittee report

There is an endless list of itemsthat need attention in any building.

This is especially true of old build-ings such as our courthouse.Although, the doors and windowsare not all original, there are manyplaces that the Building & GroundsCommittee took a hard look at dur-ing the July committee meeting.

A large number of attendees wason hand to walk through the build-ing with the commissioners to seefirst-hand the evidence of waterdamage, doors that need to berepaired or replaced, outlets inneed of repair, and other smallerrepair needs.

The OLCM Commission is con-tinually interested in people whoare willing to volunteer to assistwith projects. If you’d like to placeyour name on a list for people tocall when we have work days or aspecific need, please call DaleRobertson (323-3344) or SuzanneMcClure (323-3442).

The time our volunteers donate isan exceptional gift to our museum.

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Commissioners

Suzanne McClure, Chair217-323-3442

Paula Woods, Vice Chair217-323-4514

Connie Foley, Secretary217-323-5205

Ann Chelette, Treasurer217-323-2559

Arline Bley217-323-2323

Leigh Morris217-323-2668

Dale Robertson217-323-3344

The Old Lincoln Courtroom &

Museum CommissionPO Box 381, Beardstown IL

62618lincolncourtroom@hotmail.comWeb: LincolnInBeardstown.org

Old Lincoln Courtroom & MuseumThird Annual

�

September 10, 2011

Café from Yesterday112 East Second Street

Beardstown, Ill.

6:00 – Registration

Food may be ordered from menu, so allow plenty of time to eat before we begin the trivia!

6:30 – Trivia begins

Invite your friends & family to enjoy an evening of Fun & Entertainment!!!

Show off your knowledge and challenge your peersat this popular annual fund raiser.

$10.00 per person Up to 10 players per team

�For further information and registration contact:Lincoln Courtroom & Museum - 323-3225

Leigh Morris - 323-2668Suzanne McClure - 323-3442

Old Lincoln Courtroom & Museum CommissionSuzanne McClure, Chair1 Pine LaneBeardstown IL 62618

Lincoln’s wit and wisdom“It is my pleasure that my children are free, happy,

and unrestrained by parental tyranny. Love is thechain to lock a child to its parent.” A commonremark made, according to his wife Mary, wheneverhe was "chided or praised" for his indulgence of hischildren. No date.

“With educated people, I suppose, punctuation is amatter of rule; with me it is a matter of feeling. But Imust say that I have a great respect for the semicolon;it's a very useful little chap.” Remark to NoahBrooks, early December 1964

“I was once accosted ... by a stranger, who said,‘Excuse me, sir, but I have an article in my possessionwhich belongs to you.’ ‘How is that?’ I asked, consid-erably astonished. The stranger took a jackknife fromhis pocket. ‘This knife,’ said he, ‘was placed in myhands some years ago with the injunction that I was tokeep it until I fond a man uglier than myself. I havecarried it from that time to this. Allow me to say, sir,that I think you are fairly entitled to the property.’”Anecdote about the period when Lincoln practicedlaw on the Illinois state circuit, told to his portraitpainter Francis Carpenter, 1864

From “The With and Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln:A Book of Quotations,” edited by Bob Blaisdell. DoverPublications, 2005.