Learn About the Past
The Mercer County Historical Society in Aledo, IL, manages the Essley-Noble Museum, which was open to the public in 1959 and is named for the parents of E. L. Essley, who donated the money to build the museum. At the museum is a one-room schoolhouse moved to the site in 1965 and a separate building housing farm machinery, wagons, and tools. Within the original museum are thousands of artifacts and displays designed to help present generations understand and appreciate their own history.
In addition to operating the museum, the Mercer County Historical Society demonstrates old crafts for school tours in May, participates in Rhubarb Fest in June, has a booth at the county fair in July, and demonstrates tools for Antique Days.
Mercer County Board of Directors
- Curator: Shannon Boynton
- President: Ronn Dillavou
- Vice-President: Beverly Gray
- Treasurer: Rex Johnson
- Secretary/Newsletter Editor: Donna Gresch
- Bill Bertrand
- Hugh Brown
- Susan DeBlock
- Taylor Finch-McVay
- Dave Frieden
- Paul Hampton
- Jim Holmes
- Linda Morrow
- Scott Petrie
- Judy Redlinger
- Jon Swanson