Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County

09/10/2026

Do you see a familiar face👀

Congratulations to our own Nancy Benz, Museum & Collections Manager, on being selected for the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Institute! 🎉

09/08/2026

The Historical Society joins the community in mourning Fran Cook. Fran was a force to be reckoned with in the arts and culture sector and has made a lasting impact on Quincy.

Her legacy will continue to guide tourism, the arts, and historic preservation.

Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 10:00 am in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am in St. Francis Catholic Church.

09/05/2026

We’re making room on the shelves—and that means BIG savings on select apparel and books!

Select apparel — 50-75% OFF
Select books — 25-75% OFF

It's the perfect time to grab a Quincy T-shirt, stock up on gifts, or finally pick up that book you've been eyeing.

The sale runs September 5 through the end of the month.

📍 History Museum on the Square - 332 Maine (open Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-4pm)

Shop local and support the Historical Society!

Select merchandise is available online: https://www.hsqac.org/explore/shop/

09/03/2026

Experience the sound of the American Revolution.

What did the nation's founding sound like? Join us as Dr. Marian Wilson Kimber, Professor of Musicology at the University of Iowa, brings the Revolutionary era to life through live performances and the stories behind the music.

📅 Wednesday, September 16
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 Mary Ellen Orr Auditorium | John Wood Community College
🎟️ Free and open to the public.

09/01/2026

New merch has arrived!

We’ve got new inventory hitting the shelves, and if you haven’t stopped in lately, this is your sign!

📍 History Museum on the Square - come see what’s new 🛍

08/24/2026

Ready for a "spoonful" of history?

This month, we're taking a closer look at a Victorian-era rotating, triple silver-plated spoon holder made by the Aurora Silver Plate Manufacturing Company in Aurora, Illinois.

The company operated from the late 1860s into the early 1900s, producing affordable tableware for everyday use.

So, what does “triple plate” mean? It doesn't mean three spoons' worth of silver! It means the base metal was coated with three layers of silver, creating a durable and affordable alternative to solid silver.

Silver-plated tableware became popular in Victorian homes, giving families a little extra elegance at the dinner table without the hefty price tag.

As we continue to celebrate America 250, we're exploring the everyday objects in our collection, industries, and traditions that help tell the bigger American story.

08/21/2026

Meet the newest member of the Collections Team!

She doesn't have a name yet, but she does have a talent for showing up where you least expect her 😂

Our collections team recently adopted this fabulous handmade doll from the collection. Naturally, we had to put her to work.

Lately, she's been making her way around the Research Library, popping up in unexpected places and giving our staff a few surprises along the way.

We're not sure where she'll turn up next, but we're pretty sure she's enjoying her new job as our unofficial Collections Mascot.

Help us name her! Drop your best suggestions in the comments👇

08/20/2026

Thank you for another great America 250 program!

A big thank you to Dr. Steve Belko for joining us and sharing a fascinating perspective on the American Revolution.

Up next: The Music of the Revolutionary Period

Join Dr. Marian Wilson Kimber, Professor of Musicology at the University of Iowa, on September 16 as she explores the music of the Revolutionary era and performs selections from the period live!

📅 September 16 | 6:30 PM
📍 Mary Ellen Orr Auditorium | JWCC
🎟️ Free and open to the public

We’ll see you there!

08/19/2026

Happening TONIGHT!

Join us tonight as Dr. Steve Belko explores a lesser-known perspective of the Revolution, examining the conflict between Native American nations and Patriot state militias from 1774–1783.

His presentation will focus on the fighting along the Southern frontier and the lasting impact American independence had on Indigenous peoples.

📅 Tonight, August 19
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 Mary Ellen Orr Auditorium | John Wood Community College
🎟️ Free and open to the public!

08/10/2026

Introducing our newest series: Quincy Made 👏

Every month, we'll introduce someone whose story deserves to be remembered.

From presidents' advisors to pioneers, inventors, artists, and trailblazers, we're sharing the stories of the people who helped shape Quincy and have made lasting impacts in their respected areas.

Swipe to meet our first featured Quincyan, Anna Carmen Baird Walsh ➡️

💬 Who do you think we should feature next? Leave your comments below!