Jacksonville Area Museum - History and Legends

Jacksonville Area Museum

Discover the stories and history of the Jacksonville, Illinois area. Hear about the people, places, and legends that make Jacksonville a unique place in American history.

  1. 12/10/2025

    Old Jacksonville Post Office Recollections with Pat Kennedy

    Pat Kennedy discusses his memories of the Old Jacksonville Post Office growing up Jacksonville in the mid-twentieth century. Pat Kennedy's father worked in the lower level of the building, so Pat was a frequent daily visitor.

    26 min

  2. 04/25/2025

    Jim Elliott - Growing up in Jacksonville, and Building a Successful Business

    Jim Elliott spent his childhood in Jacksonville, and attended college locally where he met his wife. They then moved to southern California, where they built a successful business. Hear his story, and his connections to our area.

    34 min

  3. 12/15/2024

    Rabbi Rob Thomas

    Rabbi Rob Thomas discusses his upbringing in Jacksonville, work, unusual hobby, spiritual journey, and his investment back in his hometown.

    25 min

  4. 04/05/2024

    Mary Ann DuBois Armstrong - Jacksonville Developmental Center

    During the summer of 1951, Mary Ann DuBois Armstrong took a summer job in the Occupational Therapy Department at the Jacksonville State Hospital. Her job entailed providing organized daily activities for a group a patients. This podcast discusses her work, and the special relationship with a reclusive resident named Alma. The interview was conducted in 2021 with Laura Marks, Mary Ann's daughter.

    11 min

  5. 04/05/2024

    Roy Wright, 1972 Interview - Jacksonville Developmental Center

    Topic: Changing care and attitudes toward mental care Roy Wright was an employee at the Jacksonville State Hospital from 1935 until after 1972 when this interview was recorded. His jobs included attendant, dietary department, affiliate nurse, assistant chief nurse, chief nurse, and eventually administration. He discusses the changing methods in patient care and treatment, changes in community attitudes toward mental illness, and changes in living conditions and staff in the hospital. This recording was done October 6, 1972 by interviewer Roger Streitmatter. This historic recording is courtesy of University of Illinois-Springfield Archives and Special Collections. This is one of many recordings from 1972 from various employees of the institution.

    1h 26m

  6. 03/22/2024

    Flo Lasley, 1972 Interview - Jacksonville Developmental Center

    Flo Lasley was a recreational therapist the Jacksonville Developmental Center, beginning her career in 1932. She discusses her career and duties, patient recreation, volunteer programs, the hospital greenhouse, farm, epidemics, and employee conditions. The interview was recorded on October 13, 1972, by Rodger Streitmatter. This historic recording is courtesy of University of Illinois-Springfield Archives and Special Collections. This is one of many recordings from 1972 from various employees of the institution.

    41 min

  7. 03/18/2024

    Reggie Biggs - Jacksonville Developmental Center

    Reggie Biggs worked at the Jacksonville Developmental Center for 20+ years in the painting and maintenance departments, beginning in 1985. He shares his stories and experiences working at the institution, and his memories of the places and people he encountered.

    14 min

  8. 11/12/2023

    Soap Box Derby in Jacksonville, with Fred Engelbach

    The Soap Box Derby racing competition was once a popular yearly event in Jacksonville in the mid-20th century. Local boys would hand build gravity-fed cars that would race down city streets in organized competitions. The winners could then compete in national competitions in Ohio. Fred Engelbach discusses growing up in Jacksonville, and his memories of building and competing in races for a handful of years during his youth.

    23 min
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Discover the stories and history of the Jacksonville, Illinois area. Hear about the people, places, and legends that make Jacksonville a unique place in American history.

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