Join us for Museum Day!
On Saturday, April 11, several Belleville museums are opening their doors to invite you to learn about Belleville’s history and heritage. Admission to all Museum Day events is free (though donations are appreciated!).
Belleville Museum Open House Day
“The Latin Farmer Heritage Trail”
Saturday, April 11, 2015
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Locations vary; see below
This Museum Day, we invite you to learn about the so-called “Latin Farmers” of St. Clair County.
The Latin Farmers were highly educated political refugees who fled the repressive German states to live in a land of liberty in the 1830s. They came with the intent to take up farming, but many soon resumed professional careers. These Latin Farmers profoundly influenced the politics, culture and economic development in their new homeland.
Locations on the Museum Day’s Latin Farmer Heritage Trail are:
Historic Ebeling-Maurer House (Belleville Historical Society)
1106 West Main Street
Off-street parking at city lot at 10th and West Main Street
See schedule and details below
Gustave Koerner House
200 Abend Street
Labor & Industry Museum
123 North Church Street
St. Clair County Historical Society Victorian Museum
701 East Washington
Emma Kunz Museum
602 East Fulton Street
The Belleville Public Library (121 East Washington) will also have a display of photos and some of the original books from the Latin Farmers’ Library.
Belleville Historical Society Museum: The Historic Ebeling-Maurer House
The Belleville Historical Society invites you to the Ebeling-Maurer House in the Historic Village of West Belleville. The Village of West Belleville, which encompassed the area from Richland Creek to 17th Street, existed from 1852 until 1882 when it merged with the City of Belleville.
Events will include demonstrations, walking tours, music and presentations about West Belleville and the Latin Farmer movement.
Historic Ebeling-Maurer House
1106 West Main Street
Off-street parking at city lot at 10th and West Main Street
Saturday, April 11, 2015
10 a.m. – 3 p.m
See schedule below
Also in the neighborhood, you can visit the Miscellanea House Coffee Shop (1111 West Main Street) for German food, and donuts will be available at the 10th Street Baking Co. (1021 West Main Street).
Ebeling-Maurer House Schedule
10:00
Talk on “Theodor Erasmus Hilgard, Godfather of the Latin Farmer Migration, Town Planner, and All Around Genius”
10:15
Short Walking Tour of Historic Village of West Belleville
11:00
Illinois Trappers’ Association Demonstration
12:00
Songs of the Latin Farmers by the Lateiner Liedertafel (also known as the Belleville East High School German Language Students and Friends)
12:45
Talk on “Theodor Erasmus Hilgard, Godfather of the Latin Farmer Migration, Town Planner, and All Around Genius”
1:00
Short Walking Tour of Historic Village of West Belleville
1:30
Songs of the Latin Farmers by the Lateiner Liedertafel (also known as the Belleville East High School German Language Students and Friends)
2:00
Illinois Trappers’ Association Demonstration
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