Event Description

Holmes, whose mother was a Lemenager, and whose paternal grandfather worked the brickyard that became Lake Manteno, has applied her background in history to her 3rd book–Manteno (Images of America series). More than a scrapbook of photos, each chapter introduction and photo caption seeks to connect the dots from this once-tiny town to the region, state, nation, and even the world. From the parochial boarding school that operated there for 6 decades, to the woman who fought for the rights of married women and the mentally ill in the 1860s/70s, and including the IC Railroad’s impact, Manteno State Hospital, the coming of autos and hard roads, and much more. Professor Emeritus of Community Studies, Gov. State University, Larry McClellan, says, “Especially for those seeking to understand the nature of small communities in the upper Midwest…this is uniquely Manteno’s story, but also representative of the broad sweep of similar communities across Illinois.”

The museum will have books for sale; proceeds of the event go to support the museum. A book signing will take place after the talk.