Friends of the Menard Home

Menard's 244th Birthday Celebration

2010-09-20T08:04:00.000-05:00

Sunday, October 3rd, from 1pm-4pm the Friends of the Menard Home will be celebrating Pierre Menard's 244th birthday on the back porch of the home. Historically dressed volunteers will be helping to celebrate by serving refreshments, while giving tours of the home, gardens and summer kitchen.

Please come out and see the wonderful changes that have taken place at the Menard Home this year. The Home has received a new lighting system, the chimney work has been completed and the front landscaping of the home has a whole new look. It’s a very exciting time to visit the home and see the changes that have taken place this summer.

Just a Quick Reminder

2010-04-26T13:35:00.000-05:00

We just want to remind all of you that the Menard Home will be hosting the 3rd Annual Garden Walk this coming Sunday, May 2nd, from 1-4 pm. As an added bonus members of the Mississippi Valley Art Guild will be on hand displaying their artwork of the Menard Home.

As always this event is solely sponsored and paid for by the Friends of the Menard Home.

We hope to see all of you on Sunday!

Third Annual Garden Walk and Art Show

2010-04-12T16:03:00.000-05:00

The Pierre Menard Home State Historic Site would like to invite you to attend their third annual Garden Walk and Art show on Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 from 1-4pm. The date has been moved up by one month in hopes of catching the garden at its absolute peek and a new twist has been added. The home will sponsor an art show displaying works of art of by the Mississippi Valley Art Guild. Members will be present to explain their artwork which depicts scenes of the Pierre Menard Home. Members have used various mediums including, pencil sketches, acrylics and photography to name just a few.

The herb garden, which should be resplendent in the late spring afternoon, will provide the backdrop for a wonderful event with all of the herbs representing those plants that were used in the 19th Century not only for seasoning food, but also for medicinal purposes as well as clothing dye, cheese making and additives for wine. This event offers an inviting afternoon of education, learning and fun. The Friends of the Menard Home will be dressed in period clothing and offering refreshments to visitors as well as giving tours of the garden, home and summer kitchen. Everyone is welcome to come out, take a step back in history and enjoy an afternoon and a glimpse at a bygone era and enjoy the wonderful artwork of the Mississippi Valley Art Guild.

Colonial Gardening Program at Chester Library

2010-04-11T11:42:00.000-05:00

The public is invited to a free program at the Chester Public Library on Tuesday, April 20 at 6:30 p.m. Robert Mueller, President of the Foundation for Restoration of Ste. Genevieve, will present "Colonial Gardening and Agriculture in the Mid-Mississippi Valley”. This presentation explores mid-Mississippi horticulture before 1820 based on travelers’ descriptions to the area. Hear how colonial gardening techniques still impact present trends.

Mr. Mueller is very interested in the early history of Ste. Genevieve and surrounding area. He is also a genealogist with a special interest in the Germans of Ste. Genevieve County and a member of the Ste. Genevieve County Master Gardeners, Inc. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the State Historical Society of Missouri.

For more information about this program, please call the Chester Public Library at (618)826-3711. For information on the Foundation for Restoration of Ste. Genevieve, please visit http://www.historicstegen.org/

Third Annual Garden Walk and Art Show

2010-03-10T17:55:00.000-06:00

Art work from the Mississippi Valley Art Guild is starting to trickle in for the May 2nd, Garden Walk and Art Show. Various mediums are represented in the artwork from photography, pencil sketches, oils and acrylics. All of the artwork represents scenes from the home or the grounds.

Please mark your calendar and make... plans to attend a fun afternoon at the Pierre Menard Home to enjoy the garden and lots of interesting and beautiful artwork.

New Chimneys!!!!!

2010-03-02T09:42:00.000-06:00

The outside work on the chimneys, both on the home and the summer kitchen have been completed. Now we're waiting on a little work to be finished inside the summer kitchen to make it operational and we'll be back in business and once again we’ll be able to cook and bake in a fully operational kitchen!

Unacceptable!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-02-09T16:02:00.001-06:00

Our apologies if you were unfortunate enough to have tried to get into the Menard Home last week and were greeted with this sign.

Due to poor management and lack of resources the Pierre Menard Home was closed when our Site Services Specialist contracted a nasty case of the flu. Because of budget issues the home has one full time employee and when he’s ill or on vacation the “campus” approach is supposed to take over. This means someone from Fort de Chartres or Fort Kaskaskia is supposed to come and work at the home on those days. However management didn’t do their job and would not return our phone calls or emails pleading with them to get someone to cover the home.

If you find this as unacceptable as we do, PLEASE call Senator Luechtefeld and Representative Reitz and Governor Quinn. Their contact information can be found in the left hand column of this Blog.

A Huge Thank You!!!!

2010-02-09T09:07:00.002-06:00

We would like to thank everyone who came out and made our first Eagle Watching Day such a huge success. We had friends, fellow birders and history lovers from a vast area come to the home to look for American Bald Eagles and lots of the song birds too.

We could not have done this without your support and we are very grateful.

Reminder about the Eagle Watching Day

2010-02-01T09:52:00.000-06:00

We just wanted to send out a quick reminder that we're hosting an eagle watching day this coming Sunday, February 7th from 9am-5pm. Please feel free to bring out your cameras, spotting scopes and binoculars. Dress for the weather and if you get chilled we'll have hot coffee available to warm you up.

Progress!!!!!!

2010-01-19T20:37:00.001-06:00

Work started last week on emergency repairs to replace the chimneys at the home. Lack of use, time, poor management and an absence regular and routine maintenance had started to take a toll on the chimneys. They were starting to deteriorate at a very rapid rate, endangering visitors as well as the saftey of the home. It was decided to repair the parlor and master bedroom chimneys and seal them off so no fires will ever be lit in the home again. However, the chimney in the summer kitchen will be replaced and put back in working order so that events can once again take place in that part of the home. This also means that the bake oven, which is a very large indoor oven and a very valuable part of the home will once again be operational. This will be a boon for the home and the volunteer staff, and will allow for kitchen programs to start taking place after the repairs have finished.

Eagle Watching

2010-01-10T11:30:00.000-06:00

Please plan to attend a new event which will take place at the Pierre Menard Home for the first time next month. On Sunday, February 7th, 2010 from 9am-5pm, you may come out and from the front porch of the home spend the day looking for American Bald Eagles as they soar across the Mississippi River and roost in the trees around the home. Please feel free to bring your cameras, spotting scopes and binoculars as you look for eagles and the myriad of song birds which inhabit the trees and undergrowth in and around the property. Feel free to walk around the property and observe the many finches, cardinals, woodpeckers, jays and a whole host of other birds to numerous to mention that frequent the grounds.

Dress for the weather; however coffee will be served downstairs in the museum if you get chilled. And please make sure you take a tour of the home, museum and view the audio/visual presentation while you are there to learn more about the First Lt. Governor of the State of Illinois.

We're looking forward to seeing everyone next month for this fun new adventure. See you then!

12th Day Celebration

2009-12-29T10:10:00.000-06:00

On Sunday, January 3rd, 2010 for 1-4pm the Pierre Menard Home will be celebrating 12th Day. Typically 12th Day is celebrated 12 days after Christmas and is more commonly known as the Feast of the Epiphany. 12th Day celebrates three events. It commemorates the baptism of Jesus, the arrival of the Wise Men or Magi to Bethlehem and the miracle at Cana.

In many countries it is a day for gift giving. In Pierre Menard’s time it was a day for feasting. Epiphany marked the beginning of the carnival season leading up to lent. It also marked the day to take down the Christmas decorations. However the Menard Home will still be festively decorated for the holidays and the Friends of the Menard Home, dressed in 1840’s historic clothing will once again be welcoming visitors to the home with tours as well as something to drink and pastries and cookies.

Thank you for Supporting the Christmas Open House

2009-12-21T17:57:00.000-06:00

The Friends of the Menard Home would like to thank everyone who visited the Menard Home during the Christmas Open House and made it such a huge sucess. With your continued support we had over 250 visitors during the course of the afternoon and we think people went away with a better understanding of Christmases past and it helped get everyone into the Christmas spirit.

We would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year in 2010 and we look forward to seeing all of you at all of the events next year.

Christmas Open House

2009-11-16T07:52:00.001-06:00

Sunday, December 6th, the Pierre Menard State Historic Site will be celebrating the Christmas season with a Christmas Open House from 1-4pm.

The home will be decked out in all of it’s finery with the sights and scents of an old fashioned mid-19th Century French Christmas. Greenery, from boxwood, holly, cedar and magnolia leaves will festoon the outside of the home. In addition the home will be colorfully decorated with brightly colored fruits including; apples, pears and pineapples as candles will brighten one of the shortest days of the year.

Inside the home you will find more fruit, greenery and candles as well as a nativity scene occupying the parlor with all of the traditional elements that can be found with this symbol of the Christmas season.

However one thing you will not find is a Christmas tree decorating the home. A Christmas tree inside the home can be traced back to 16th Century Germany and there were Christmas trees in this country, with Hessian Troops during the Revolutionary War and with the Moravian’s in their settlements in the east and south, but Christmas trees in general did not make an appearance in this country until they appeared in the 1850 issue of Godey’s Lady’s Book. After their appearance in that December issue there was no stopping the progression of this now widely recognized symbol of Christmas.

As is tradition with the French American’s in this country, the celebration of the Christmas season will be bright, warm, scented with wonderful smells, but subdued. However you can expect the Friends of the Menard Home will be on hand, dressed in 19th Century historic clothing to welcome everyone to the Menard Home with a cup of warm cider and something sweet to eat as they show visitors through the home of the first Lt. Governor of the State of Illinois.

What a Great Turnout

2009-11-02T08:59:00.002-06:00

We would like to thank everyone who came out yesterday for the Outdoor Cooking Demonstration. Not only was the weather perfect, the attendance more than doubled from last years event. Free samples of some of the foods that were being prepared were given out and everyone enjoyed standing around the fire as they were being told about making an outdoor fire and how things were cooked or baked prior to the invention of the modern range.

Thanks again and we look forward to seeing all of you at the Christmas Open House on Sunday, December 6th, from 1-4pm.

2nd Annual Outdoor Cooking Demonstration

2009-10-21T16:32:00.001-05:00

The second annual Outdoor Cooking Demonstration will take place at the Pierre Menard Home on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 from 1-4pm. Once again volunteers from the Friends of the Menard Home will be dressed in historic clothing and cooking outdoors next to the home’s summer kitchen demonstrating 19th Century outdoor cooking techniques. Food cooked in period kettles, Dutch Ovens and skillets will be demonstrated and samples of items produced will be given to visitors. This is only the second year for this event, so if you have questions about how food was prepared in the 19th Century please come out to the Pierre Menard Home for an educational afternoon. Sample foods, enjoy the smell of wood smoke and take a tour of the home and newly reopened museum given by the volunteers and historically dressed staff.

This event is solely sponsored and paid for by the Friends of the Menard Home. All monies collected during special events stay on site and are used to help the home and to put on special events throughout the year.

A Huge Thank You

2009-09-28T15:13:00.005-05:00

We really want to say a huge "Thank You" to everyone who came out yesterday for the reopening of the museum. We had a large crowd waiting at 10am for the ribbon cutting ceremony and a steady stream of people came through the home and museum all day long. According to our counter we had well over 440 people who stopped by during the day.

We also want to thank the Kaskaskia Masonic Lodge for allowing us to display the General Marquis de Lafayette's sword. It was very generous of them and we greatly appreciate them letting the sword be on display.

We were also very fortunate to have some very special guests stop by to see the new museum exhibits. Senator Dave Luechtefeld, Representative Tom Holbrook, Cahokia Courthouse Site Superintendent Molly McKenzie and Chester Mayor Joe Eggemeyer were all in attendance. We would like to thank them for taking time out of their busy schedules to view the new exhibits.

A Sneak Peek

2009-09-13T10:55:00.005-05:00

Here is a tiny sneak preview of one of the cases being readied for the museum reopening. This one concentrates on items belonging to the Menard family. We know, we know it's not much of a preview, but it's enough to peak the curiosity so that you'll want to come out and see the new exhibits. We hope to see all of you on Sunday the 27th.

Museum Reopening/Lafayette’s Sword

2009-09-05T10:37:00.000-05:00

For those of you who follow this Blog on a regular basis you know that we are planning a museum grand reopening on Sunday, September 27th, 2009. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10am which will then allow the visitors to tour the new museum exhibits, but there’s MORE! In addition to the reopening we will have a very special artifact on display for the day. The Kaskaskia Masonic Lodge #86 from Red Bud has graciously agreed to lend us the General Marquis de Lafayette’s Sword for one day, and one day only, to be exhibited in a display showcasing Pierre Menard’s association with the Kaskaskia Masonic Lodge.

This is the sword Lafayette used during the Revolutionary War while he fought with George Washington to help win the independence of the colonies and form the United States of America. Lafayette gave the sword to the Kaskaskia Masonic Lodge while he was on his tour of America in 1824. This sword is rarely displayed outside the Lodge and we are very honored that the Kaskaskia Lodge has agreed to display the sword in the museum for the day.

The sword will be on display from 10am on Sunday, September 27th, 2009 until 4pm. After that it will be returned to the Masonic Lodge. Please mark your calendars and plan to come out to see this very rare piece of early American history and view the new museum exhibits.

Newspaper Article

2009-08-27T10:42:00.003-05:00

For those of you who live in and around Randolph County you will have to find a copy of this weeks Sparta News Plaindealer. Lynn Venhaus did an absolutely fantastic article on our Site Services Specialist, Andrew and on the Home. The article takes up a large section of the front and second page of the paper as well as a Q & A with Andrew on the last page of the first section. The article on the home is a bit more in depth than most of the media coverage that the home receives and gives you a better insight in to why we fight so hard to preserve and protect the home. Plus there is an absolutely wonderful photograph of Fern on the front page. :)

We would like to thank Lynn Venhaus for taking the time to come to the home and to spend time getting to know it and those who work and volunteer their time to this once grand historic site.

It's Painting Time!!!!!

2009-08-26T16:32:00.005-05:00

We can hardly believe this is FINALLY happening, but after a year's worth of prompting and very vigorous and constant reminders from us, the Home is FINALLY being painted by the wonderful and skilled members of the painting crew from Menard Correctional Center. The men have spent the last three days scraping and have started to paint the Home. They are doing an outstanding job and you cannot believe what a difference you can already see in the Homes appearance! It's another happy day in the history of the Menard Home.

Please don't forget that Sunday, September 27th, 2009 will be the museum reopening and re-dedication. We hope to have a couple wonderful surprises to share with you in the coming weeks, so keep an eye on the Blog for updates.

Work Continues

2009-07-15T15:45:00.004-05:00

The painting continued in the museum this week and things are starting to shape up. A few more touch ups and we should have the easy part completed. Next will be setting up the exhibits and getting all of the details worked out.

Please mark your calendars, we will have a grand unveiling which will take place on Sunday, September 27th, 2009 from 10AM-4PM, visitors will be able to view the new exhibits and there might even be a few special things happening that day. Keep checking back for more updates.

Check back frequently for more details.

The Museum

2009-07-09T10:07:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was a small milestone at the Menard Home. The volunteers started to paint the museum cases in preparation for a whole new museum display which will be taking shape over the next couple of months. While nothing is set in stone at this point we hope to have the museum ready for a grand unveiling by fall.

Stay tuned for updates and more information.

A Big Thank You!

2009-06-09T18:33:00.003-05:00

We would like to thank everyone who came out for the Garden Walk. We don't have an exact final count yet, but we believe we almost tripled attendance from last year. So we owe everyone a very big "THANK YOU" for taking time out of your busy weekend to attend and show your support for the Menard Home. We are very grateful and are very much looking forward to our next event which will be the first Sunday in October to celebrate Pierre Menard's birthday.

Garden Walk this Sunday

2009-06-03T18:45:00.001-05:00

Good Evening, just a quick reminder to everyone that rain or shine the Garden Walk will take place this Sunday, June 7th from 1-4 pm. Refreshments will be served and tours of the home will be given.

2nd Annual Garden Walk

2009-05-15T17:06:00.001-05:00

We, The Friends of the Menard Home would like to invite you to attend our second annual Garden Walk on Sunday, June 7th from 1-4pm.

The herb garden should be at its peak and offer an inviting afternoon of education, learning and fun. Our volunteer group, The Friends of the Menard Home will be dressed in period clothing and offering refreshments to visitors as well as tours of the garden, home and summer kitchen. We welcome everyone to come out, take a step back in history and enjoy an afternoon and a glimpse at a bygone era.

For more information please check out this Blog, email us at helpthemenardhome@live.com or call the Home directly at (618) 859-3031. We look forward to seeing everyone on the 7th.

Open for Visitors

2009-04-26T13:50:00.003-05:00

Great news everyone! The home has reopened and we are giving tours...YEA!!!!! Most of the furniture has been moved back to it's proper place and most of the artifacts have been put back out on display.

We are working on some exciting changes and updates for the home. Several of the cases in the museum are going to be restored and we are working on getting new gates fabricated for both of the end rooms to the home, so they can be reopened for visitors to enjoy.

Now just because there are some changes going on please don't think for one minute that our priority has shifted because our first and primary goal is to get the needed repairs and renovations addressed and paid for. Always remember that we have a single focus and that is for the homes well being and it's very survival.

Please, please, please come out and visit us very soon. We'll welcome you with a smile and friendly greeting, because we appreciate your support.

Oh Happy Day!!!

2009-04-23T15:46:00.003-05:00

Today was a absolutely wonderful day in Randolph County. The Menard Home reopened to visitors for the first time in five months!!!! We were so happy to see the closed signs go down, the chains across the front steps removed and activity once again taking place at the home. It's been far to long since the parking lot had cars in it and tourists walking the grounds and enjoying the home and gardens. Life has returned to the way it should be. Oh Happy Day!!!!!!!

The Menard Home Reopens on April 23, 2009

2009-04-16T09:34:00.002-05:00

Our new Governor, Pat Quinn has decided to reopen the historic sites and has done it in a sweeping and decisive fashion. We will reopen next Thursday, April, 23rd, 2009. We've been caught off guard by this quick turn of events, but we will help get the home ready to open to visitors by next Thursday. I hope everyone will make a trip out next weekend.

Again thank you all for your support.

The Menard Home is Re-Opening...Soon!!!!

2009-04-15T17:15:00.007-05:00

Good news everyone! We were told today that all the laid-off state employees are being recalled next week and that the historic sites will reopen shortly there after. Thank you all very much for your support, kind words and prayers that helped the home through some very dark months. We must now look forward and toward a brighter future and a renewed purpose for the home and for the volunteers.

We, the Friends of the Menard Home are still here and are still plugging away. We are still dedicating ourselves to making sure that the home is taken care of that we are doing everything that we can possibly do to alert people who hold positions of authority that the home is an important part of the history of not only this county, but also this state and this nation. We have been fighting this battle for over a year now to bring attention to the plight of this once grand home. We will continue to fight and draw attention when we can to the needs of the home, looking out for it's welfare and being watchdogs who will make the necessary noise to get the attention the home needs. Some may call us crazy...or worse, we choose to say we are passionate, but we will not stop until the home is properly taken care of.

We are already starting to work on plans to host another Garden Walk this year, please stay tuned for more information on this event, as well as many others and an opening date for the Menard Home.

A Dark Day for the Menard Home

2009-03-18T09:26:00.001-05:00

It’s turning into another dark day in Illinois. According to an early story out in the State Journal Register http://www.sj-r.com/news/x599200598/Quinns-budget-has-income-tax-increase-employee-furloughs . Our new Governor who had promised to reopen the parks and historic sites as one of his first acts as governor has found himself, and the state of Illinois in a much larger financial crisis than had been anticipated. With that said the State of the State Address will offer our beloved Menard Home no hope of reopening anytime in the next year, simply because there is no money to run the site or any of the sites that were closed last November. It is disheartening that promises were made and we’ve been holding on to hope all of these months, only to find out that we were once again placed on the back burner.

One good bit of information that will come out of the State of the State Address is the fact the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency is being done away with and the historic sites will once again become part of the Department of Natural Resources. The historic sites will be managed and taken care of much better under DNR than the bureaucracy that existed in IHPA.

While all of this might sound like a death nel for the Menard Home we are choosing to look at it merely as an opportunity. An opportunity to work harder with DNR and their people and to bring the Menard Home back to its former glory. That does not mean that we are letting Governor Quinn off the hook. By no means is he going to get off scott free in this. He made us a promise and we expect him to keep his promise. Please feel free to call him, email him or write a letter to him. You will find his address in the left hand column of this Blog. We have to keep the pressure up so that he knows we aren’t going to go away or that we will go quietly into the night.

Tomorrow is the State of the State Address

2009-03-17T17:16:00.004-05:00

Tomorrow Governor Quinn will give the State of the State Address and we are hoping to hear something positive out of his speech. Keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer or two tonight that somehow Governor Quinn will find a way to reopen the Pierre Menard Home.

Save Illinois History Benefit

2009-03-03T21:19:00.002-06:00

1st Annual Benefit Auction

To help Support the French Colonial District of Southern Illinois
* March 14th- Doors open at 6:00, Silent Auction begins at 6:30.
* The Bullpen, 101 N. VanBuren, New Athens, IL 62264 (618)475-8050
* $15 tickets in advance, $20 tickets at the door.
* The Silent Auction will include- Trips, Gifts, Theme-Baskets, Collectibles, & Accoutrements.
* Gun Raffle
* Live Music throughout the evening with special guest-
Invicta Recording Artists-The Rockhills-www.therockhills.com
* Snacks, Draft Beer, and Wine providedAll proceeds go toward Save Illinois History. This non-profit organization was established to raise funds to reopen and sustain The Pierre Menard Home, Cahokia Courthouse, Fort de Chartres, Fort Kaskaskia.

And we wait some more.

2009-02-13T10:40:00.002-06:00

We're still in a holding pattern and hope that Governor Quinn will reopen the historic sites and parks in the spring. I guess we have to go with no news is good news. We have to be patient and know that Governor Quinn inherited a huge mess and it will take time to wade through the miles and miles of red tape, deficits and unpaid bills before we will see where the Menard Home will fit into the new state of the State. Just know that the Friends of the Menard Home will be ready when we are given the go ahead to reopen the sites. We have lots of exciting ideas and plans for the Menard Home and can't wait to get started.

It's a New Day in Illinois!

2009-01-29T18:10:00.002-06:00

Our former governor is now part of this history he so desperately wanted to do away with. As of a few minutes ago we have a new Governor who is sympathetic to our state parks and historic treasures. Hopefully when the sun dawns tomorrow a new day will dawn in the history of Illinois State Historic Sites. Congratulations Governor Quinn! We look forward to a credible Governor who cares about our history.

Lt. Governor's Ball Cancelled

2009-01-23T11:57:00.001-06:00

Due to circumstances beyond our control the Lt. Governor's Ball has been cancelled and will take place at a much later date. Sorry for any inconvenience this might have caused anyone.

Lt. Governor's Ball

2009-01-16T18:44:00.002-06:00

Please mark your calendars for Saturday February, 21st, 2009. The first annual Lt. Governor's Ball will be taking place at the Legion in Steeleville, IL . This will be a historic clothing/semi-formal attired ball and all are welcome. Reenactors dressed in period clothing will be performing dances from the 18th and 19th Century and everyone is welcome to participate.

More information to follow in a week or so.

Save Illinois History Trivia Night

2009-01-04T19:46:00.002-06:00

Save Illinois History is planning a fundraiser for Saturday, January 31st at 7pm at the Prairie du Rocher American Legion Hall. 8-10 persons per team and each participant pays $10.00 to participate. There will be a cash bar and you are welcome to bring your own snacks. Cash prizes will be awarded!!! To reserve a table please contact Sarah at (618) 334-2741.

A second fundraiser will take place on Saturday March 21st starting at 6pm at the Bullpen Banquet Hall in New Athens, Illinois. The cost will be $15.00 per person in advance and $20.00 at the door. There will be a benefit auction, silent auction, free beer, food and two live bands. SIH is also accepting donations of items for the silent auction, if you would like to contribute an item please contact Sarah at (618) 334-2741.

If you would like to make a monetary donations checks may be sent to: SIH, PO Box 331, New Athens, IL 62264-0331. Also check out their website at www.saveillinoishistory.com or if you have questions you can email them at info@saveillinoishistory.com

Happy New Year

2009-01-03T10:03:00.003-06:00

Happy New Year to Everyone! It is a new year and hopefully something will happen shortly with our state legislature. Thursday could possibly dawn with a House vote on impeachment. If that happens and our dear governor is removed from office it's our understanding that Lt. Governor Pat Quinn plans to reinstate all the state parks and historic sites. So, until then we are holding our breath, waiting, praying and hoping for a good outcome and the restoration of our beloved Home's funding.

Merry Christmas to all

2008-12-22T09:12:00.002-06:00

We, The Friends of the Menard Home, would like to extend our sincere wishes to you and your family for a Merry Christmas and a VERY happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. While the Christmas celebration at that the Menard's looked nothing like the Christmases of the late Victorian period, the Menard's did celebrate Christmas with their own unique style and did it with flare. Certainly the season would have found the Home full of visitors, well wishers an a place of bustling activity. As you prepare for the coming holiday, please remember to keep the spirit of Christmas in your heart and share it with those whom you encounter and try to carry that spirit with you always.

Merry Christmas!

And We Wait...And We Wait!

2008-12-17T10:39:00.003-06:00

Our governor still has not listened to his constituency and resigned, though he did tell reporters this morning that he is "dying" to tell the people of Illinois his side of the story and he will reveal everything, "There’s a time and place for everything," he said. "That day will soon be here." Supposedly that day will be no later than Thursday night. We'll see!

Please keep in contact with your senators and representatives and keep pressure on them to make sure the matter of our governor's fate is handled swiftly and with minimal disruption to the state so we can get back to the matter at hand which is getting our historic sites reopened and funding restored to all the programs that wouldn't pad our governor's coffers.

Impeachment Petition

2008-12-15T10:04:00.003-06:00

Representative Raymond Poe from Springfield is circulating a petition asking Rep. Madigan for proceedings for impeachment start immediately. If you would like to add your name to petition please go to: http://www.poe.ilhousegop.org/wp-content/poe_impeach_petition.pdf

Please be patient, our sites will be back and better than ever, it just might take some time.

We're Still Waiting

2008-12-11T10:24:00.002-06:00

As of this morning our dear governor hasn't gotten any common sense and resigned even though everyone of any note has sent him a letter telling him to resign and leave with some grace and dignity. Our best hope is that he will leave, or AG Lisa Madigan will ask the Illinois Supreme Court to declare him incompetent, thus removing his powers and putting Lt. Governor Quinn in charge. These are the two quickest options, but of course there is the messy impeachment proceedings, which will start on Monday in the House, but we'll take what we can get at this point. Then hopefully Quinn will be able restore the funding to state parks and historic sites. Stay tuned and we'll update as we learn any information.

No matter how this plays out it's going to be a very long and costly road to restore the State of Illinois to a working state and an even longer time before we gain any respect in the political arena at a state or national level.

It's a Great Day in Illinois!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-12-09T09:34:00.000-06:00

Our dear governor has been indited, arrested and led out of his home in handcuffs. He's facing a packed, 78 page federal indictment. We've all known that there was a lot of wrongdoing going on, but now we have the proof we all knew was out there.

At this point we aren't sure what this means for our historic sites or when they will reopen, but it is a very bright spot with the holidays coming up. Stay turned and we'll update you with more information as it becomes available to us.

Event Cancelled!

2008-12-04T09:07:00.000-06:00

Apparently the local newspapers aren't reading their own papers and some of them think we are still open and are still putting on the Christmas Open House scheduled for Sunday, December 7th. We are however sorry to say that because the home is closed until further notice this event and every other event is most definitely cancelled.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause our visitors, but might we suggest that you contact our dear governor and tell him how you feel about this issue. His address can be found in the left hand column of this Blog.

WSIL TV • VIDEO

2008-12-02T15:25:00.000-06:00

WSIL TV • VIDEO

This link will take you to a video shot by WSIL reporter Andy Waterman. It's the final closing of the Menard Home and Fort Kaskaskia.

Closed!!!!

2008-12-01T08:46:00.000-06:00

Last night has to have been one of the saddest and most heart wrenching nights of our lives. One can only compare it to the loss of a loved one. To see the "CLOSED" and

"NO TRESPASSING" signs go up, furniture and artifacts that have been on display for over three-quarters of a century removed; it is an indescribable pain. How can this be allowed to happen? At this point we are all pretty numb and are trying to overcome the grief that wells up at the thought of this beautiful home setting idle and no one enjoying it's beauty or learning from the history it holds.

We were told "Closed is closed!", and closed it will remain until the citizens of Illinois rise up and demand that it's historic treasures be returned to them.

It is a very sad day

2008-11-30T07:11:00.000-06:00

I don't think any of us thought this day would actually come, but it has. This evening at 5pm the doors on the Menard Home will be locked and barriers placed in the parking lots and that will be the end of our First Lt. Governor's home being open to the public. A home that once was open seven days a week and drew thousands of visitors each week will be mothballed. It is an outrage and an insult to the people of Illinois and the world. I hope that each one of you will realize that this is now the new reality and it's time for you to all step up and let our governor know exactly how you feel about his childish behavior.

Governor I hope you will realize that historic sites are just that, historic sites and not a for profit business. Why don't you try listening to the people of Illinois and what they want.

Can it really be the end?

2008-11-27T20:10:00.000-06:00

Can the end of our French Colonial sites only be days away? As we enjoy our Thanksgiving, and we have a lot to be thankful for we are about to loose a very important part of our heritage. Sunday evening at 5pm the doors and gates will be permanently shut on the Menard Home, Fort Kaskaskia, Fort de Chartres and the Cahokia Courthouse. It's hard to believe that this is becoming reality. Please, please, please keep the pressure on the governor to rescind this ignorance and keep our historic sites open so that all can enjoy them and learn about history; where we have been and where we are going.

A Major Set Back

2008-11-21T12:04:00.000-06:00

Our Dear Governor has done it again! He waited until the veto session was over and he restored the entire budget for everything BUT our historic sites. Now it will be January at the earliest before the Senate and the House can fix this grievous error in the governor's judgement.

Remember keep sending those letters and making those phone calls. It's the only way we can keep pressure on our elected officials who in turn put pressure on our governor.

Media Coverage

2008-11-20T09:56:00.000-06:00

Our historic sites around Illinois recieved a fair amount of media coverage on last evenings news. Both of the local NBC & CBS affilates covered yesterday's rally in Springfield as well as the Southern Illinoisan newspaper.

If you would like to see the story that Casey Nolan did for KSDK-TV Channel 5 check out the link. http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=160700&catid=3

For updates on the site closings and to help out please go to http://www.saveillinoishistory.com

March On Springfield

2008-11-19T15:43:00.000-06:00

Today was the march and rally on the Capital in hopes of rescinding the budget cuts that our dear governor instituted against our historic sites. It's been a lot of years since we've done the 8th Grade field trip to Springfield, so you'll have to forgive our lack of remembering the statue of Pierre Menard which is displayed prominently in FRONT of the state capital. Imagine my surprise when I get out of my car and there is Mr. Menard...do you think the governor ever saw that statue or realizes that you see Mr. Menard BEFORE you see Lincoln's statue or doesn't he use the front door these days?

Our rally certainly drew a lot of attention from the media. There were news stations from all over the state covering our protest as well as a LOT of newspapers. We even spoke to a reporter from the Southern Illinoisan! We know this rally/protest is a small step, but it drew a lot of attention from more than one news camera and as long as we stay in the public eye we will be remembered and hopefully the powers that be, will find that we will not soon go away, so PLEASE keep writing those letters and making those phone calls because all French Colonial Sites are still slated to close the doors and lock the gates on November 30th, 2008 as well as a lot of other sites around Illinois and many state parks too.

Save Illinois History!!!!

2008-11-13T13:24:00.000-06:00

All of the volunteers at the various sites around Illinois are banding together in hopes of raising awareness of the plight of our historic sites and also to organize ourselves because there is strength in numbers. With that said various reenacting groups will be converging on the Illinois State Capital building on Wednesday, November 19th at 10am to make the governor and our legislators know that we will not go quietly into the night. If you would like to join us please find your way to Springfield next week and let your presence be know.

Our Last Event?????

2008-11-11T10:37:00.000-06:00

Sunday's cooking demonstration was a huge success. The weather started out very uncooperative, but by mid afternoon we had a sunny and beautiful day for an outdoor event. We had visitors from far and wide, who were really enjoying the items we had available for sampling. The pumpkin custard didn't exactly turn out like it was supposed, I think that particular variety of pumpkin has to high a water content, which made the custard very soupy...sorry about that folks, maybe next year it will be better. Yes, we are choosing to be optimistic and we think the closings will all get straightened out before the scheduled closing date. We were also honored by Representative Dan Reitz and his wife, they toured the home and enjoyed our hospitality and a few refreshments and hopefully Rep. Reitz will go back to Springfield armed and ready to do battle for our historic sites.

There is another online petition circulating, please take the time and sign it. www.petitionspot.com/petitions/ihpa

Cooking Demonstration

2008-11-03T08:38:00.000-06:00

This coming Sunday, November 9th from 1pm-4pm we will be presenting an outdoor cooking demonstration on the back porch of the Menard Home. Please come out and enjoy some of Martha Washington's pumpkin custard. It's rumored to have been George's favorite dessert! We'll also be serving up some delicious biscuits, roasting chestnuts, popping popcorn and having a good time in teaching visitors about Dutch Ovens and how they were used in the 19th Century.

This is the last scheduled event to take place at the Menard Home before it closes November 30th, so please come out, enjoy the home one last time. Also remember that tomorrow is election day, and it's your opportunity to tell our elected politicians what you think of what they are doing to our beloved Home and our state.

Great Turnout

2008-10-20T21:38:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we did a small "shakedown" outdoor cooking demonstration and it was very well received by the visitors. We made biscuits in a Dutch oven and then offered visitors a sampling of the biscuits with some fresh butter and apple butter. We had over a 100 visitors yesterday and there wasn't much left to clean up. Thanks to everyone who came out. Please be sure and come back on Sunday, November 9th in the afternoon for a much bigger and more interactive...and more things to taste test...cooking demonstration.

We'll be Cooking Sunday

2008-10-17T18:27:00.000-05:00

If you happen to be in the area on Sunday, please stop by and enjoy a sample of our wonderful biscuits and some real butter. We'll start the fires around noon, so we should have some wonderful, hot and delicious treats by 1:30pm or so.

A bigger cooking demonstration will be taking place on the afternoon of Sunday, November 9th. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend and sample some wonderful food hot and fresh from our Dutch ovens.

Cooking Demonstrations

2008-10-07T17:02:00.000-05:00

The Friends of the Menard Home are planning to start doing some outdoor cooking demonstrations over an open fire in Dutch Ovens or bake kettles as they were called in earlier days. Specific weekends haven't been set as of yet for the demonstrations, but a variety of tasty foods will be prepared by the volunteers. Make sure you keep an eye on the Blog for upcoming dates and times.

What a Great Day!

2008-10-06T12:21:00.000-05:00

We had Menard's Birthday Celebration yesterday and I don't think we could have picked a better day for a party, the weather was just spectacular. The turnout wasn't to terribly heavy, but considering the number of events happening in the area on Sunday it was a respectable showing. The Friends of the Menard Home served cake, pastries and lemonade to all the visitors who came out and the guest were pleasantly surprised at the changes in the room and furniture configurations that have taken place over the last few weeks.

Thank you to all of those who came out and showed their support for the Menard Home. We greatly appreciate it.

Birthday Celebration This Weekend

2008-09-29T12:45:00.000-05:00

This coming Sunday, October 5th, from 1pm-4pm the Home will be celebrating Menard's 264th birthday. The Friends of the Menard Home will be helping to celebrate by serving birthday cake, pastries and lemonade. We also will have a wide selection of handmade herbal wreaths for sale, made out of the herbs from the homes herb garden. Get there early for the best selection.

It looks like it will be an absolutely fabulous weekend weather wise so please make it a point to come out and celebrate with us and show your support against the pending closure of one of the premier French Colonial sites in Southern Illinois.

I know we sound like a broken record, but don't forget those who are responsible for this mess when it comes election time and vote accordingly.

A Much Happier House

2008-09-25T08:14:00.000-05:00

With the projected closing of the home now over two months away, Andrew, our very diligent Site Person, started to put the artifacts back out for display and in the process we helped him start to move some of the furniture around. If you visit this weekend for the Kaskaskia Music Fest or next weekend for Menard's Birthday Celebration I think you will be pleasantly surprised with what we've done. The house is starting to look like a home once more.

Don't forget next Sunday from 1pm-4pm is Menard's Birthday Celebration. Refreshments will be served and we would appreciate all the citizens of Randolph County and the surrounding counties coming for a visit and to soak in the ambiance of life in the 19th Century.

Great News?????

2008-09-23T21:42:00.000-05:00

The Illinois Senate voted today 40-15 first for Senate Bill 790, which “sweeps” more than $220 million out of dedicated state funds to pay for stopping the cuts. Senators then voted 55-0 for Senate Bill 1103, which restores the cut money for two-dozen parks and historic sites, substance abuse centers and workers facing layoffs at the departments of Human Services and Children and Family Services.

This is obviously great news, however our dear old governor says that he might attempt to veto some of the deepest cuts...not sure what that means or what to think of that. I guess we'll have to wait until we can talk to the site workers at the three sites and see if that means we're going to get to stay open or we have to wait a while longer. Don't forget though, all of those wonderful folks who are up for reelection. Make sure they don't get reelected.

Stay tuned! It sort of seems like a really sick soap opera.

Menard's Birthday Celebration

2008-09-21T19:40:00.000-05:00

With the Home now scheduled to stay open through October and November the Friends of the Menard Home are planning on having Menard's Birthday Celebration, which is scheduled for Sunday, October 5th, 2008 from 1-4pm. We will be serving cake and a few pastries as well as punch or cider, depending on the weather. Please plan to attend and help us celebrate what we hope are the first of many events to come with the new volunteer group. There will be tours of the home all day as well as the refreshments in the afternoon.

Hours are 9am-5pm Wednesday-Sunday.

More Good News & a Brief Reprieve!

2008-09-20T19:25:00.000-05:00

It seems that some of the letter writing we all have been doing is working! All historic sites that were to close on October 15th, 2008 will now be open through November 30th, which is wonderful and means a lot of people who would have been put out of work will keep their jobs a while longer and the sites will be maintained a while longer. It also appears that the Senate is supposed to meet in special session on Monday and could possibly fix the wrongs that have been done, so keep your fingers crossed that we can start digging all the artifacts out of storage and put them out once again for visitors to see.

I will ask this and I want you all to remember one thing in all of the ups and downs we’ve been going through. Please remember when it comes Election Day who caused the problems with the state and make sure that it’s the last time that we ever have to deal with those small minded and petty individuals…don’t re-elect them!!!!

A Bit of Good News!

2008-09-17T21:46:00.000-05:00

We received a bit of good news today. Our dear governor has decided to keep the historic sites, including the Menard Home open until October 15th. Seems dear ole' Rod says that all the paperwork to unemploy so many people is taking longer to complete than initially anticipated...duh...you think!!!

So the Menard Home will be open for us to have Menard's Birthday Celebration on Sunday, October 5th, 2008 from 1-4pm. Refreshments will be served.

Now just because historic sites have been given a brief reprieve don't let up on writing those letters and putting pressure on our elected officials, that's the only way we will get this mess resolved, well that and impeaching ole' Rod!

Online Petition

2008-09-14T08:57:00.000-05:00

As of this morning there are almost 27,000 signatures on the online petition. If you have time and would like to increase the number please of those voicing thier concern over the current budget crisis go to: http://www.gopetition.com/online/21603.html and signup. Make our Governor aware that we don't like what he's doing to our wonderful state.

The House is Looking Sad

2008-09-12T21:44:00.000-05:00

As October 1st approaches the Home is harder to look at each day as artifacts are being packed up and put into storage, furniture is being moved. It's a sad state of affairs. Andrew, the Site Specialist continues to plug away by himself trying to catalog artifacts as they are moved around for storage and still do the daily business of keeping up the cleaning in the Home and still give tours (when the volunteers aren't there to help out). Personally, if I hear one more person ask him if he's losing his job I'm going to scream.

On the bright side the Illinois House met yesterday and restored the budget, which restores funding for IHPA, which restores funding to the Menard Home. On the downside Emil Jones says he refuses to call the Senate back into session until the scheduled November session...what a jerk. On another bright note it's my understanding that all the members of both the House and Senate are starting to feel the heat and they want to get this monkey off their backs. So keep those letters going out to our elected officials to let them know how you feel.

In case you haven't found addresses here are the pertinent people to send a letter to. If you send letters to Luechtefeld or Reitz be nice because they are trying their hardest to help the Home. However if you feel the need to really tell dear ole' Rod, Madigan and Jones how you really feel, well to right ahead. They deserve all the heat we can give them for what they are doing to the state.

Senator David Luechtefeld
700 North Front Street
PO Box 517
Okawville, IL 62271

Representative Dan Reitz
128 A West Main
Sparta, IL 62286

Governor Rod R. Blagojevich
Office of the Governor
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62706

Representative Michael J. Madigan
300 Capital Building
Springfield, IL 62706

Senator Emil Jones Jr.
327 Capital Building
Springfield, IL 62706

The Friends of the Menard Home are choosing to be optimistic and we hope this will all get sorted out, with your help of course, and that we may be able to pull off a Christmas event. Keep your fingers crossed and keep those letters heading to Springfield.

The Rumors are True.

2008-08-30T12:44:00.000-05:00

The news is true, unless the Powers That Be in Springfield can come to some sort of agreement the Menard Home and all other French Colonial Sites in Illinois will close as of October 1st, 2008. If you would like to voice your concerns on this subject please feel free to contact the governor and let him know how you feel. You can find his address at http://www.illinois.gov .

Even though the Menard Home is slated to close, the Friends of the Menard Home, the dedicated working volunteer group, will continue to press on with projects to help the home and we will be ready and waiting when the home reopens to help the site staff and continue to support the Home and it’s needs.