Bicentennial Projects-Books-More
The museum presented three events as Canton’s Bicentennial is celebrated, in collaboration with the City, the Bicentennial Committee, and Spoon River College. We have restocked books of local history and other items that may be of interest as we celebrate Canton’s 200th year. Donations, suggested below.
Local History Books, Cemetery Walk DVD, and More
Bicentennial Program DVD
“Cemetery Walk Revisited” DVD, (1 hr., 7 min.) $15 + postage
Books (postage cost will be added to mailed items)
Carver, Brooks. (2018). Bearing Witness: War and Memory, $10
Carver, Brooks. (2019). Daughters of the Steppes: the Night Witches of World War II, $20
Carver, Brooks. (2006). Give My Love to Ivey Rose, $10
Carver, Brooks. (2005). Pilgrim Heart, $10
Carver, Brooks & Michael Walters. (2012). Legacy: The Story of Three Families, $20
Carver, Brooks & Michael Walters. (2013). On the Corner of Union and Prairie: Canton Stories, $20
Hopper, Roy & Brooks Carver. (2016). Plowboys to Little Giants and Lady Giants, $20
Lewis, Edward, Jr., David and Ginger Lewis. (1998). The Heald Collection, 1895-1903, $10
Scott, Judge Albert. (1968). The Bench and the Bar of Fulton County, $10
Notecards and Postcards
Carver, Mary Ellen, artist. Notecards – Nine original sites in watercolor, $1 (while supply lasts)
Tee-Shirts and Caps
Museum T-shirts (S-XXL). Purple, Navy Blue, Yellow, $
Museum Caps, Green and Purple, $22
Contact the museum, cahcpo19@att.net, or phone (309) 647-2242, or come in to place an order. Note. Prices listed are suggested donations.
Historic Farming Tribute
Display debuted at Canton’s Bicentennial Celebration, June 20-29, 2025. Now located at the museum, 111 South Main, Canton.
From its 1825 beginnings, Canton, Illinois and the surrounding Fulton County communities have been steeped in agriculture and farming, which is still a major economic driver of the area. We have showcased the significance of agriculture by researching, finding, and collaborating with some very special farm families. These are Sesquicentennial Farms as designated by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Descriptions of their settling, lineages and family antiques are on display.
For More Information: Janice Dare Bruster, Project Director, or Cheryl Bielema, Museum Programs Committee Chair. Telephone and leave message, (309) 647-2242, or email, cahcpo19@att.net. Follow Illinois Heritage Farm Programs
Cemetery Walk Revisited
Cemetery Walk Revisited
Presented Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the Bicentennial Celebration. DVDs are available at suggested donation of $15. Contact the museum, cahcpo19@att.net, or phone (309) 647-2242, or come to museum to receive a copy.
This event was a live presentation by actors and actresses dressed in character and portraying twelve important residents from Canton’s past. Leading actor was professional actor and former Canton resident, Mr. David Pires. Research and writing was done by Mike and Susan Walters; director was Carol Davis. Follow Canton Bicentennial Celebration
Historic Bus Tours
Bicentennial Bus Tours
The historic bus tours were so popular during Canton’s Bicentennial that they will be scheduled again in Spring, 2026. Watch for details. Follow Canton Bicentennial Celebration
Another Project: Students Pandemic Reflections
This 2021 project involved the Canton Area Heritage Center, history students and their teacher at Canton High School (CHS). Online surveys asked CHS students to describe their COVID-19 Pandemic reflections. The student leaders who worked on this project created research questions, developed a plan to reach out to their age-mates, and then extracted key findings and implications from the data they collected. A report summarized the high school students’ Pandemic experiences. Download “Pandemic Project” article, The Fulton Democrat (August 18, 2021).
Contact the Heritage Center for more information. Email cahcpo19@att.net, or telephone (309) 647-2242 and leave a message.