The museum gift shop offers a variety of books relating to the history of LaSalle County and its famous inhabitants. Prominent among the books are those about Abraham Lincoln and pre-Colonial exploration of “the Illinois Country.”
A selection of souvenirs, including Native American artifacts, toys, and jewelry is available to enhance your museum visit.
Christmas Shopping at the Museum
Do you have people on your Christmas list who are notoriously hard to buy for? We may have the solution! The LaSalle County Historical Museum offers a wonderful selection of books and other items that will interest even the hardest-to-buy-for on your list. Here is a sample of what we have in stock:
Remembering the Rural One-Room Schools of LaSalle County
Remembering the Rural One-Room Schools of LaSalle County” is the first comprehensive book detailing the history of LaSalle County’s rural schools. Personal stories and reminiscences, backed by more than 350 previously unpublished photos, breathe life into the county’s 298 rural schools spread across 37 townships.
Softcover, 2 volumes, $29.50 includes tax
The LaSalle County Historical Society Herb Garden
The 16-page guide contains 29 color photos of all the herbs planted in the settler’s garden beside the Aitken one-room school east of the main museum. Brief descriptions include the uses of the various plants in each of the four beds—dyes, culinary, fragrance, and medicinal.
$5.00
RALLY ROUND THE FLAG - by Ron Bluemer
A unique view of the Civil War based on the accounts of the young soldiers who wrote to the area newspapers about their experiences in the training camps and battles.
Other titles by Ron Bluemer include: HERE COMES THE BOAT!, HOME FRONT – Illinois Valley During WWII, RAILS ACROSS THE HEARTLAND, FIRE BELOW
$18.00
MEMORIES OF SHAUBENA By Nehemiah Matson
Many people know the story of Chief Shabuena (Shabbona) and how his timely warning of advancing war parties saved the lives of many early settlers, and of the tragic fate of those who chose to ignore him. Now you can read an account of his history written by a madn who knew this great chief of the Potawatomi tribe. Originally printed in 1878, this reprint is rich in detail of Native American life and the lives of early settlers of the state. Mr. Matson interviewed Chief Shabuena and other Native Americans who were living in the area in the late 1800’s..
A memoir of a sailor who served on an LST, the flat bottomed, bow-loading ships that could deliver tanks and men onto hostile beaches under fire.
Soft cover, many pictures, $18.00
MY FAMILY TREE – A genealogy workbook
A great book for children or first-time genealogists.
$2.95
LA SALLE COUNTY: THE RIVERS AND THE PRAIRIES By Amanda Bell Spitzer
Back in print after many years, this book by the late local historian Amanda Bell Spitzer has been indexed and revised. It is a great history of the county from Paleolithic to more modern times.
Hardcover, indexed, $35.00
STARVED ROCK THROUGH THE CENTURIES by J. B. McDonnell and Lloyd Eric Reeve
A look at Starved Rock through the eyes of two writers from 1924. J. B. McDonnell and Lloyd Eric Reeve combined their efforts to publish this work that examines the story of Starved Rock from two different perspectives.The first section chronicles the past French and Native American history of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries while the second mingles fact with fiction to relate some of the old legends surrounding Starved Rock and the local area.
Softcover, illustrated, $7.50
FROM REVOLUTION TO MASSACRE By Harriet L. Homan
Newly revised and reprinted, this is an account of the events surrounding the Indian Creek Massacre in 1832.
Softcover, illustrated, $4.75
Life and Letters of General W.H.L. Wallace by Isabel Wallace
Originally published in 1909, this biography recounts the life of her adoptive father, William H. L. Wallace, a friend of Abraham Lincoln and the highest ranking Union officer to fall at the battle of Shiloh. Based on the letters and family papers of the General and his wife, Isabel traces his life from his upbringing in Ottawa through his death, and her mother’s life in the post Civil War years.
Soft cover, $19.95
HIKING THE ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN CANAL and Exploring its Environs By Philip E. Vierling
Ever hiked along the Illinois and Michigan Canal between LaSalle and the Fox River in Ottawa and wondered what a building was built for or what a plant was called? This is the guide for you or your favorite hiker. Each section of the canal is explored, identified, and described, from fossils to factories, caves to canal boats, with histories of buildings along the way. Illustrated.
Soft cover, 390 pages, indexed, $14.95
In our Museum Gift Shop are several publications about Abraham Lincoln.
This selection of adult and children’s books are among the ones featured in the new Lincoln Museum in Springfield. There are pictorial histories, biographies, and several colorful children’s books. Stop by soon and check them out: Abe Lincoln Goes to Washington • Ghosts of the Civil War • Abe Lincoln for Kids • Abe Lincoln – Log Cabin to White House • Abraham Lincoln – Friend of the People • Abe Lincoln: A Photographic Story of a Life • Young Abe Lincoln • Lincoln – Wisdom & Wit • If You Lived at the time of the Civil War • And more!
Museum Magnet
Decorate your refrigerator with this handsome sketch of the Museum on a 3” x 4” magnet
$4.00
Museum Ornament
Just the thing to hang on your Christmas tree – this lovely 3” ornament features a sketch of the Museum.
$5.00
Museum Hats
In black
Special price $8.00
LaSalle County Afghan
This handy throw is woven in red or blue and features scenes from around the county. A great gift to warm up those cold nights!
