Morrison Historical Society members and “award-winning filmstars” Ed Abbott and Orville Goodenough will be featured speakers at a presentation honoring Sesquicentennial Farms of Whiteside County, on Sunday, October 13, 2013. The event takes place at Morrison’s Heritage Museum, 202 E. Lincolnway, Morrison, IL, at 1:30 p.m. Doors open at 1:00.
They will discuss the rural Morrison Abbott farm which has been in the same family since 1848.
As might be expected, this farm has lived an interesting life! It has ties to the Underground Railroad. Abbott will show an object used to record the number of runaway slaves that took refuge there, on their way to freedom. He will display an 1863 flag of the Ustick Township Union League Club, too.
Guests will view an award-winning television film about the farm. Click here to view a 2:04 minute trailer.
Dan V. Schaefer produced the 30-minute film for Iowa television; it won a Silver Eddy award. It also won first prize at the 2012 Ohio State Fair, in the Short Film competion. The DVD is available for purchase at $20.
House by the Side of the Road is also for sale at the museum for $10. For years, Abbott’s talented mother, Mrs. L. A. Abbott, wrote charming accounts of the comings and goings of people in front of “The Pines,” her home along the Lincoln Highway. Her daughters published them after her death.
Eunice Pingel Abbott was a teacher in Crouch School before marriage and contributor to three local newspapers after. During the Whiteside County Fair, she was Superintendent of Ag Products, Horticulture, and Floriculture, as well as the unofficial Fair historian.
Other Whiteside County owners of Sesquicentennial Farms are listed. Some may attend the event.
- Frank and Linnea Belt, Lyndon, IL
- James and Shirley Blumhoff, Lyndon
- Doug and Avis Chamberlain, Lyndon
- Ardetta Belt Hayner, Morrison
- Zoe Rudy, Prophetstown, IL.
Refreshments will be served after the program. The museum is accessible from a ramp behind the building or the front steps.