Andover Historical Society
The Andover Historical Society (AHS) was organized in 1967 for the purpose of preserving and maintaining historical buildings, records, lore and memorabilia of the Village and Township of Andover and surrounding communities. It also promotes tourism, and encourages people to enjoy Andover's historical treasures.
The AHS owns two historical buildings - the Andover Historical Museum and the American Woman's League Chapter House (for details about these sites, please click on the "Places to Visit" tab on the left side). The AHS meets the third Tuesday of April, June, September and November at the American Woman's League Bldg. at 1 pm.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 16, 1 pm, at the American Woman's League Bldg. The title of the program is: "Andover Historical Society in 2021 and Beyond." Lisa Huntsha, part-time curator, will discuss past projects and plans for the future. Together we will brainstorm ideas for the future longevity of the museum and society. Betty White is the hostess.
To become a member, or to make a donation, please list your name, mailing address, and make your check payable to
Andover Historical Society
c/o Bonnie Bandelow, Treasurer
903 17th Ave
Silvis, IL 61282
The individual annual membership is $10, individual life membership - $50, family annual membership - $20, business annual membership - $25, and business life membership - $250.
Lisa Huntsha has been named part-time curator for the AHS. She will be working on preservation of historical artifacts, books, records and documents at the two historical buildings; as well as seeking grants to help develop education programs for students of all ages. She is also the part-time curator for the Jenny Lind Chapel Immigration Museum. Lisa is the archivist/librarian for the Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL.
A descendant of Swedish immigrants, she graduated from Augustana in 2010 with a degree in Scandinavian Studies; and went on to get her master's degree in Museum Studies from Syracuse University in 2011. She is passionate about both preserving the past and helping others connect the past with the present.
Renovation Project
Funding for an ambitious renovation project is being undertaken for the AHS, which is on the National Register of Historic Sites. A major grant for this project was recently received from the Geneseo Foundation.
The project includes installation of new windows, insulating the attic, upgrading the electrical system to 200 amps, and installing a climate control system.