Washington Historical Society

The Birth of the Washington Historical Society

As we approach the bicentennial of the founding of Washington in 2025, it is appropriate that we examine the history of an organization at the forefront of preserving Washington’s past: The Washington Historical Society (WHS).

Long before the start of the WHS, there were calls in town for an organization to be tasked with preserving and collecting our history. As early as 1930, there were calls in the newspaper for the organization of such a group.

It was an opportunity lost, as the relics that could have been retained would be wonderful to see today. In 1930, however, the town had other issues to deal with. A library that was too small, a high school that was too small, an aging city building, and a little thing called the Great Depression were likely more important issues to face.

Nothing happened until 1963, when another call went out in the local newspaper for a historical society. Apparently there were no takers, as editorials continued to run in the newspaper regularly throughout the 1960s pining for the creation of such a society.

No Society was created in the 1960s, but appreciation for Washington’s history was piqued during the 1975 Sesquicentennial. A new history book was written, and the town was invigorated with pride for their town.

In 1980 David Chasco, former Washingtonian and instructor at the University of Illinois, started a crusade to save the Round Barn, an old city relic on the south end of town. At the September 29, 1980 public meeting where Chasco was making his pitch, about half of the people in attendance said they were interested in becoming member of a Washington Historical Society, which would take the project from that point and push for its completion. Moreover, the Society would form long-range goals of the restoration of other buildings as well.

The first dedicated meeting of interested members in the WHS occurred October 9, 1980, and a second meeting was held October 23, 1980. At that second meeting, the original bylaws were accepted and a nomination committee was formed to prepare a list of officers. The nomination committee consisted of Chairman Ray Torry, Easter Smith, LaVerne Blumenshine, Lewis Zimmerman, Marvin Hutchings, and Leri Slonneger. The original WHS mission statement was also adopted at that time: “to acquire, preserve, and display publicly material relating historically to Washington and its environs.”

The Round Barn project did not come to fruition, as it eventually was deemed too expensive, but the WHS continued to expand. Soon after its creation, WHS rented the old doctor’s office at 101 Zinser Place for its meetings. The little house, as it was referred to, held antique displays along with a gift shop and was open six days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Society introduced a string of very successful programs which included the Christmas Tour of Homes, the Cemetery Walk, the Roots Award, and Time Travels in Trunks. As programs were developed and the membership grew, churches were used to hold the larger crowds.

After the 2013 tornado, the WHS collected around 50 letters from Washington residents, detailing their experiences on that November 17 day, to be archived. The project submissions, called “Hope Lives On,” appeared on the WHS website for many years after the disaster.

In 2020 the Washington Historical Society brought the Walldogs, a wall mural painting group, to Washington to develop a mural for the side of the building at 126 North Main Street. Washington and the rest of the world was in the height of the COVID pandemic at the time, but the Walldog mural focusing on William Holland was a pleasant and needed respite from the stresses of the pandemic.

At the end of 2020 the WHS sold the building at 101 Zinser Place and purchased the building at 128 Washington Square.

In 2021 the WHS brought in mural artist Anat Ronen to paint a mural on the side of the building at 106 Washington Square.

Since its inception in 1980, the Washington Historical Society continues to increase its service to the residents of Washington. WHS is the driving force behind the promotion of the history of the town and heavily relies on supporters to fulfill the mission statement set back in its humble beginnings.