Goldmine in Golden: Local historians contribute to Adams County Bicentennial Book

Larry Haschemeyer has lived in the same house in Golden, Illinois for 67 years, but the history held within its walls stretches far beyond that.

“I got 80 to 90 family histories at home of all the families that lived here (in Golden),” Haschemeyer said.

“He’s our town historian,” Haschemeyer’s neighbor, Diana Flesner, said. 

The pair work together during genealogy sessions about once a month. They start with a family’s name, then cross reference their personal notes with what’s available online.

“Before you know it, we’ve got ‘em back 10, 12 generations,” Haschemeyer said.

While some took up embroidery or D.I.Y. home improvement projects during the pandemic, Haschemeyer used the extra time to assemble roughly 90 photo albums of Golden history — a goldmine for the Adams County Bicentennial Commission, which is currently collecting memorabilia to aid in the assembly of the Adams County Bicentennial Book, a “coffee table style book” that will feature photos and historical records from the entire county “to provide a historical record for the enjoyment and education of future generations,” according to the commission. It’s set to be released late next year in celebration of the county’s 200th anniversary.

Steve Belko, a political science professor at John Wood Community College and the co-chair of the Adams County Bicentennial Book Committee, along with a couple of his students, joined residents at the Golden Branch Public Library on Wednesday night for the first of four collection events to be held throughout Adams County in the coming weeks. 

JWCC supplied Belko and his students with scanners, laptops and document cameras to aid in their efforts to collect history from the smaller parts of the county that might not have the necessary equipment or facilities to scan the items themselves.

Adams County residents can also bring their items to the Quincy Public Library at any time during regular business hours. Photos, documents, objects or any other forms of memorabilia are encouraged. The deadline to contribute is November 15th.

“Anything that anybody brings in is of value to them, and that means there’s a value in it somehow, somewhere,” Belko said.

The other collection dates and locations are:

• October 2nd at Four Star Public Library in Mendon from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.;
• October 9th at Clayton Public Library from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.;
• October 16th at Camp Point Public Library from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The 8.5” x 11” hardcover book will be published by Acclaim Press, with a release date set for late 2025. The book will be split into two parts, the first of which will be divided into subcategories such as:

• Early Settlement and County Establishment;
• Agriculture and Farming;
• Military and War; 
• Government, Politics and Local Media;
• Sports and Recreation, Arts and Entertainment;
• Architecture, Historic Homes and Sites;
• and Traditions, Customs and Local Culture, among others.

The second part will feature sponsored content of the history of local businesses, churches, schools, organizations and other entities interested in having their history documented in the publication. 

“This will live on,” Belko said of the book. “It’s important.”

Pre-orders are currently being accepted, with a special pre-sale price of about $50. 

More information about the Adams County Bicentennial can be found on its website.