photo credits
thanks to:
Ben Kinningham
Laurie Silvey
Todd Silvey
7/2009- Menard County Tourism Council for a wine-tasting and theatre evening scheduled for August 16th -A wine-tasting and theatre event is planned for Sunday, August 16. The Menard County Tourism Council, Theatre in the Park, Hill Prairie Winery and Riverbank Lodge are presenting the night of entertainment. Enjoy a short trolley ride to Riverbank Lodge for wine tasting and then return to New Salem in time for the pre-show and performance of "Abe, the Musical". The first trolley leaves New Salem at 5 pm and the final trip will leave at 5:45 p.m. All attendees will be back at New Salem by 7:00 p.m.
Tickets for the wine -tasting, trolley ride and theatre presentation are $25.00 and are available by calling Laurie Silvey at (217) 306-1832 or order securely online below with your credit card on the PayPal "Buy Now" link.
You can also stop by the Menard County Visitors Center at Riverbank Lodge, 522 S. Sixth Street, Petersburg, IL from 10am to 5pm Tuesdays through Saturdays to purchase your tickets. Seating is limited, and tickets must be reserved no later than August 9, 2009.
7/2009- Visit our supporting members - Please stop by our updated member businesses page to view our updated supporting members list. We thank those who support the Menard County Tourism efforts and hope all of our local residents and visiting friends will remember those who support Menard County's rich and interesting history.
6/2009- New tourism representative helps with additional hours at visitors center - Thanks to Illinois Worknet's summer youth program, the Menard County Tourism Council has extra help for the summer months. Amber Hillyer, 17, from Petersburg, will be manning the visitors center at the Riverbank Lodge in Petersburg from 10am - 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays each week through August.
Amber looks forward to helping tourists who stop by to find out more about what's going on in Menard County, and telling them about the possible places to go and see in the area.
Amber is a lifelong resident of Petersburg, and attends Porta High School, where she will be a senior this fall. She enjoys going to the tourist attractions and her favorite is New Salem. She likes going into the cabins to hear the interpreters bring the past to life.
6/2009- Grant applications available - Grant applications are available for groups or individuals who want to help promote tourism in Menard County. Download an application by clicking here or call Laurie Silvey at (217) 306-1832 to have one sent to you. Deadline for this round of grants is July 20.
6/2009- Busy road closed temporarily for construction - Menard County and visiting motorists are advised that the Athens/Petersburg Blacktop Road (CH 2) from the intersection of Tice Road and Cantrall Road to just past Berkshire Road will be completely closed to traffic beginning 7:00 a.m. Monday, June 22nd.
If you are traveling from Athens and your destination is Petersburg or Lincoln’s New Salem State Park you should take Illinois Route 29 north to Illinois Route 123, then Illinois Route 123 west to Petersburg, then south on Illinois Route 97 to Lincoln’s New Salem State Park.
If you are traveling from Lincoln’s New Salem State Park and your destination is Athens you should take Illinois Route 97 north to Illinois Route 123, then east on Illinois Route 123 to Illinois Route 29, then south on Illinois Route 29 to Athens.
Due to roadway widths, pavement conditions and sharp curves, local roads in the area are not adequate for commercial trucks or tour buses. Larger vehicles must use the state routes noted above except for local deliveries.
View larger County Highway 2 detour map
The roadway is being closed for realignment, reconstruction and widening of deficient horizontal curves and reconstruction of the Tice and Cantrall Road intersection.
The road closure is expected to last approximately three months. Motorists are urged to seek alternate routes, and to slow down and drive carefully.
We appreciate your patience while we work toward improved safety conditions at this location. Please contact the Menard County Highway Department at (217) 632-2722 with any questions or comments.
6/2009- Local Links- Check out these local city and community websites. More will be added as they become available.
City of Petersburg, IL
6/2009- Storyteller captivates audience at post office celebration - On May 30, the Post Office in Petersburg celebrated the anniversary date of their relocation from New Salem to Petersburg 173 years ago. Abraham Lincoln lost his job as postmaster that day, and storyteller Brian “Fox” Ellis, helped to bring the past back to life with some entertaining tales. Stories and songs about his life as a friend, as a lawyer, a surveyor, and yes, even the postmaster of New Salem kept the group fascinated for nearly an hour.
5/2009- Post office celebration planned - As part of our community's continued celebration of the Bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth, the City of Petersburg will hold a small ceremony on the Petersburg Post Office front steps Saturday May 30 at 9 am. Brian “Fox” Ellis, story teller, author, and naturalist, who has worked with numerous museums and The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library will be the guest speaker. Mr. Ellis is being sponsored by a grant from the Illinois Humanities Council. After losing his campaign in the State Legislature's race of 1832 Lincoln looked to the future, taking on William Berry as a partner, and the two purchased a small store in January of 1833 located in New Salem Village. Three months later though, he sold his interest to Berry. In May of 1833 things began looking up and Lincoln found himself the new Postmaster, a position he would hold until the post office moved to Petersburg in May of 1836, 173 years ago. Lincoln often supplemented his income while Postmaster by splitting rails, helping around the mill and other odd jobs. This event is open to the public. Please plan to attend and enjoy the “Art of Storytelling” by Brian.
5/2009- New Salem back to 7 day schedule! - Last July, Menard County was dealt a blow by then Governor Rod Blagoyevich when he cut funding and closed Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site on Mondays and Tuesdays. Beginning on May 1, days of operation were expanded back to 7 days a week through the tourist season. This is good news , both for the tourists who can now visit our historic site 7 days a week, and the merchants of the county, who were hurt by the shortened week. The good news comes during the celebration of Lincoln's birthday bicentennial, with many special events planned at the park.
5/2009- Dulcimer Festival deemed a success - The Riverbank Lodge was filled with the music of the dulcimers as workshops for beginners and intermediate players took place throughout the days of the first annual Railsplitter Dulcimer Festival on May 1 1 and 2. A wonderful performance was held at the New Salem Visitors Center on Saturday night, with two former world champion dulcimer players performed, along with several other wonderful players.
Jerry Cripe, promoter, says plans are already in the works for next year's festival after 44 participants took part in the weekend's activities.
5/2009- Antique Farm Days at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site - Antique Farm Days was held at New Salem on Saturday, May 2. Many demonstrations of old time farming techniques took place. Tom and Spud Eldridge brought out their team of horses to demonstrate plowing techniques. And, the tractor club had a display of their antique tractors at the entrance to the visitors center. Many visitors enjoyed the day.
5/2009- Catch a ride on the Trolley - The Trolley is back for the season and operating on weekends only throughout spring. You can purchase your tickets and hop on board the trolley at the Visitors Center at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site. Enjoy an hour long tour into Petersburg, and see many beautiful historic homes, the Oakland Cemetery where Ann Rutledge and Edgar Lee Masters are buried, along with much more, all narrated by local radio personality, Ben Kiningham. Don't forget your camera.
5/2009- Don't miss "Fire in the Hole" - "Fire in the Hole", an 1830s Militia Muster, is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17, at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site. Make plans to have your visit include a stop in Menard County for the event.
4/2009- Stovepipe Sprint and Mini Triathlon a success - The running events are growing each year, attracting more and more participants. This year's event, held on April 18, attracted 200 racers from Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Several of the racers stayed in the county and enjoyed all we have to offer. The second triathlon event of the year takes place in August.
4/2009- Grant awarded for Dulcimer Festival - Jerry Cripe recently received grant funds from the Menard County Tourism Council to help him to promote his first annual Railsplitter Dulcimer Festival. The Festival will be held on May 1 and 2, and will culminate with a concert on Saturday night. Tickets are still available from local merchants. Contact Jerry Cripe for more information, (217) 632-4551 or j.cripe@att.net.
4/2009- Plan to hike on Memorial Day - Menard County Trails and Greenways along with Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site is sponsoring the third annual memorial Day Lincoln Long-Gait Hike. Start hiking anytime, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and enjoy two one mile hikes or one five mile hikes. Naturalist guides will be available and hot dogs, drinks, and snacks are provided. Meet at the Restaurant parking lot located directly east of the historic site entrance on Route 97.
There is no charge for the event, however, donations are appreciated. For questions, contact New Salem at (217) 632-4000 or email wgerch@aol.com.
3/2009- Grants awarded to promote tourism - Two grant checks were presented during the recent membership meeting held on March 26, 2009. Steve O'Connor accepted a grant check for the Stovepipe Sprint and Mini Triathlon. Scott Hewitt also received a check, accepting on behalf of Menard Trails and Greenways. Their grant will go towards promotion of their annual Fall Foliage Float. The two are pictured with Executive Director, Laurie Silvey, who presented the checks during the meeting.
3/2009- Dulcimer Festival planned - The Railsplitter Dulcimer Festival is planned for May 1 and 2, 2009. Workshops will be held daily, featuring a duet workshop by Larry & Elaine Conger and Linda Brockinton. Larry is the 1998 National Mountain Dulcimer Player Champion, and Linda is the 2003 National Mountain Dulcimer Player champion. Vendors will be available at the Riverbank Lodge with CDs, books, instruments and accessories, everything you would need to learn to play. On Saturday night, a dulcimer concert, open to the public, is planned. It will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the New Salem State Park Auditorium. Tickets are available from local merchants, as well as at the door. Contact Jerry Cripe for more information, (217) 632-4551 or j.cripe@att.net.
NOTE - Postponed - Due to Spud Eldridge being in the hospital, Plow Day has been postponed until a future date. Check back for updates.
3/2009- Experience farming the way it used to be done - Plow Days is scheduled for April 4, 2009 at the Eldridge Farm in Greenview, Illinois. Teams of horses and mules are brought in from at least seven states to demonstrate the old ways of preparing the fields for planting. Hundreds of spectators gathered along the field last year to enjoy watching the teamsters plow the 40 acres. These demonstrations take place all over the country, this one has grown to be one of the biggest. The show gets under way at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. No admission is charged. The farm is located west of Route 29. Turn west at the VFW Hall and follow the signs.
3/2009- Donations received for getaway package - The Menard County Tourism Council was recently asked to donate a getaway package to the Illinois Governors Conference on Tourism. The packages were showcased during a silent auction, giving tourism representatives the opportunity to see what Menard County has to offer visitors to the area. Donations for the fun-filled getaway package include a two night stay at the Riverbank Lodge, a gift card from Shambolee Golf Course, tickets for the New Salem Country Opry, dinner for two at Stonebake Pizza, a ride on the Stier Trolley Express. Information on Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site, Hill Prairie Winery, the local museums and more were all included in the package for bidding. Thank you to the following companies who donated gift certificates or money toward the package: RiverBank Lodge, GoFast Group, Shambolee Golf Course, Stier Trolley Express, New Salem Opry, and Stonebake Pizza.
The package will also be listed on various Illinois tourism websites as a great opportunity for a getaway in Illinois, as well as visitors guides.
3/2009- Menard County event and activity calendar page - With the new Visit Menard County website well established, the site now features a great new calendar of events page for local friends and interested guests to find dates to enjoy the activities of Menard County along with the cornerstone sites and attractions we feature. All area activities, groups and supporting members are invited to submit their event activities to the M.C.T.C. email.
3/2009- Meet the council - The Menard County Tourism Council consists of members as shown; Front, left to right - Edie Sternberg, secretary, Shirley McCombs, Laurie Silvey, Executive Director, Ben Kiningham, Treasurer.
Back, left to right - Don Hopwood, Terry Steinhour, President, Mary McClellan, Membership Chairman, Evan Miller, Vice President.
2/2009- Attention art fans, new art gallery opens in Menard County - The PORTA Community Problem Solvers proudly opened the door to their new Prairie Palette Art Gallery as part of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration on February 16.
The group has been working on the art gallery for several years, after realizing the void in cultural artwork in the community. When the city bought the building, they realized that it would be perfect for an art gallery to feature local artists' work, and began putting it together. The cost was around $15,000 to bring the project to fruition.
The display of artwork includes paintings, carvings, glass, pottery, sculpture, drawings, carvings and more. Much of the artwork was created by students from PORTA as well as from Greenview High School. Much of the artwork currently on display honors Abraham Lincoln and was created by local artists. The opening brought in a huge crowd of people and the visitors have continued.
Don't miss the gallery during your visit to Menard County. It is located in a section of city hall, just across from the courthouse on the square in the former Menard House.
2/2009- New looking for Lincoln sign revealed during ceremony - On Presidents Day, February 16, 2009, a new Looking for Lincoln Sign was unveiled in downtown Petersburg.
A stirring ceremony was held to note the achievement. Members of the Menard County Inter-veterans Honor Guard fired a 21-gun salute. Scouts from the community led the crowd in singing the Star Spangled Banner as well as reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Larry Bomke was present and spoke about Lincoln and his contributions while living in central Illinois. Petersburg Mayor Diane Kube, local historian Raymond Montgomery (shown Right) and the Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association President Robert Church also spoke during the dedication ceremony.
The sign is at the site where Abraham Lincoln started his survey of the town of Petersburg on February 17, 1836. The sign is at the corner of 7th and Jackson Streets. There are several Looking for Lincoln signs located throughout Menard County, visit the Looking for Lincoln website for information about the multiple historic sites in Menard County.
2/2009- Stiertrolleyexpress.com now online -Mike Stier of the Stier Trolley Express announces his new website. The website features historic photos from around Menard County, and links to businesses in the county, as well as touting the hour long tours that the Trolley makes throughout the tourist season.
The trolley also stops on the square in Petersburg to allow visitors to shop in the unique stores, then returns on the hour to pick up the visitors and return them to New Salem. The trolley will run daily during the tourist season, beginning in April.
Don't forget to check out this new addition to popular Menard County tourism member websites promoting our wonderful region at www.stiertrolleyexpress.com. The Stier Trolley Express travels from New Salem State Historic Site, through the streets of Petersburg, pointing out various landmarks, and giving insight to the not so familiar parts of the town.
2/2009- Menard County media page added - The new visitmenardcounty.com site now features a media page to upload banners and advertisements for area websites to exchange link support of Menard County Tourism. Please contact the M.C.T.C. email to contact us about our support of member businesses and special event tourism website links related to Menard County as well.
2/2009- News columns page added to MCTC website - Laurie Silvey, Executive Director of the Menard County Tourism Council creates a weekly article with news and future efforts toward hosting tourism for Menard County. Visit the dedicated news page for news and columns from our Director and council members.
Make sure to visit the Menard County Tourism Council news columns page.
2/2009- Celebrating the bicentennial in Menard County -Abraham Lincoln turns 200, and several activities in the county will help to celebrate his birthday throughout the year. The activities will include a birthday party for the community of Petersburg, a Lincoln-themed annual meeting for the Menard Historical Society, and a Lincoln themed meeting and banquet for the Lincoln League. Many activities out at Lincoln’s New Salem will highlight his bicentennial, including plays at Theatre In the Park.On February 16th, the city of Petersburg had a a celebration at the corner of Seventh and Jackson Street, the site where Lincoln began his survey of Petersburg. An honor guard salute was performed, Robert Church, President of Illinois Land Surveyors was a featured speaker, and a Looking for Lincoln sign sponsored by Petersburg Chamber of Commerce with funding from the Menard County Tourism Council was unveiled.
The Lincoln League also celebrated the Bicentennial, with their annual meeting and banquet at the Athens Community Park Building. A meal and auction was featured. Framed pictures and drawings, books, 1800s era tools, a series of 50 state quarters, a basket of items from New Salem Museum store were part of the auction.
The community birthday party was held on February 12 at the Senior Center in Petersburg, Illinois. Readings about Lincoln took place along with a reading of the Gettysburg Address. Birthday cake was served and over 200 elementary students enjoyed singing Happy Birthday to Mr. Lincoln.
An open house was held at the new Prairie Palette Art Gallery on the east side of the square in Petersburg.
That evening, the Menard County Historical Society held their quarterly meeting and paid tribute to Lincoln's 200th birthday. The meeting at Petersburg United Methodist Church and dinner was served with Raymond Montgomery presenting a program called "Providence of Abraham Lincoln." Illinois State Senator, Larry Bomke spoke to the attendees of the Lincoln Survey Point celebration on the Petersburg square.
1/2009- Grant check presented - Margaret Stier-Santos attended the membership meeting held on January 29 at the New Salem Visitors Center. She received a grant check earmarked for a coupon book idea that she and Marcia Winner will be putting together. The idea is intended to keep visitors to Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site in Menard County.
The coupon book will include discounts from restaurants, shops, lodging sites, attractions and more. The idea was conceived during one of the earliest Chamber of Commerce “Lemonade” meetings, and will come to fruition in time for the official season opening in early April.
Tourism Council president Terry Steinhour presenting the check to Margaret. For more information on the coupon book, contact Marcia at 632-3241.
1/2009- Welcome to the new Menard County tourism website - Filled with new interactive features along with much faster loading speeds, the new visitmenardcounty.com is now a site you will want to visit often with up-to-date tourism news and calendars that will have all local friends and national tourists gaining the latest information about Menard County.
12/2008- Our website is undergoing some upgrades currently and will be under construction for a few days - Please check back often for additions. Coming soon - the new multimedia video of Menard County. Contact Tourism Council executive director Laurie Silvey at 217-306-1832 for any questions.
11/2008- Overnight accommodations allow visitors to see all Menard County has to offer - Visit the lodging page to see our Bed-and-Breakfast, Motel and Camping accommodations that will give you the opportunity to experience many historical attractions and experiences along with many of our great outdoor activities,.
11/2008- University of Illinois Launches New Agritourism Web Site - "Agritourism is a growing segment of the rural economy," says John Pike, a U of I Extension community & economic development educator. Pike developed a new web site & information source that will assist those wanting to develop agritourism businesses in Illinois.
10/2008- Tell us your Lincoln the Lawyer stories - The Looking for Lincoln Heritage committee is currently researching and hunting for stories about Abraham Lincoln’s days riding the Eighth Judicial Circuit. The circuit covered 17 counties in Illinois, including Menard County. The committee is asking for your help in preserving the history of Lincoln as a lawyer in the county.
We will credit you for providing the stories, and will reprint some of them on the Menard County Tourism website, as well as in the Petersburg Observer and Menard County Review. When the project is complete, the goal is that the stories will be added to the history of the region and can be gathered together to preserve Lincoln’s heritage.
Have you heard any stories about Lincoln during his days as a lawyer, that you’d like to keep from being lost forever? If so, please contact Laurie Silvey at tourism@visitmenardcounty.com, or send them to MCTC, PO Box 531, Petersburg, IL 62675.
Visit an area filled with history, filled with charm. Just a few miles North of Springfield, Illinois, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. See where Abraham Lincoln lived along with many other area attractions. Stay with us and discover Menard County.
Don't miss the gallery during your visit to Menard County. It is located in a section of city hall, just across from the courthouse on the square in the former Menard House.
On February 16th, the city of Petersburg had a a celebration at the corner of Seventh and Jackson Street, the site where Lincoln began his survey of Petersburg. An honor guard salute was performed, Robert Church, President of Illinois Land Surveyors was a featured speaker, and a Looking for Lincoln sign sponsored by Petersburg Chamber of Commerce with funding from the Menard County Tourism Council was unveiled.
