Museums are open by appointment.
Historical Society Books and Souvenirs
At East School Museum
Our books, posters, maps and souvenirs are available for sale at East School Museum in Pittsfield. Prices listed are suggested minimum donations since we are a nonprofit organization. We do not ship maps and posters. They are available at the museum only and arrangements can be made to pick up when we are not open. Museum hours are 12 to 4 on Saturday and Sunday from May through October.
At UCB Bank in Pittsfield
A selection of books and souvenirs is available at UCB Bank in Pittsfield. The bookcase is in the west lobby entrance from Monroe Street. Take your selections to a teller for payment. Cash or check only. Available during bank hours only. M-TH 8:30 to 5:00. Friday 8:30 to 5:30. Saturday 9:00 to 12:00. Send us an email to verify what you want is available at UCB.
Shipping
Contact us at pikecountyilhistoricalsociety@gmail.com for shipping information.
PayPal
We now have the option to pay with PayPal using our email at pikecountyilhistoricalsociety@gmail.com in person at the museum or for shipping.
Looking for Lincoln
We are now offering Looking For Lincoln books at East School, UCB Bank and by mail. The sale of these books benefits Looking for Lincoln in Pike County.
History of Illinois and Pike County
$60.00
Chapman, 1880
966 pages, plus index
The first and most extensive county history book. Also includes early Illinois history. Recounts dozens of stories from the first 60 years of Pike County.
Past and Present of Pike County, Illinois
$60.00
Massie, 1906
751 pages, including index
Extensive county history organized by subject. Contains biographical sketches of some prominent county citizens.
Pike County History
$60.00
Thompson, 1935-1939
534 pages, plus index
A compilation (edited by Grace Matteson in 1967) of Thompson's county history newspaper articles. Contains lots of genealogical information and tales of the next generation after Chapman.
Pike County Illinois History and Families
$45.00
Pike County Historical Society, 2014
256 pages, plus index
County residents were asked to submit their family histories which were then compiled alphabetically into this book.
Pike County Schools 1823-1995
$60.00
Residents of Pike County, 1995
Reprinted in 2022
413 pages, plus index
An exhaustive compilation of photos and information of all the small schools in Pike County.
A True Picture of Emigration
$20.00
Rebecca Burlend, 1848
Reprinted in 2022
157 pages plus index
An account of a family settling in the frontier in Detroit Township, arriving in 1831. This is a detailed story of the trials and ultimate success of these settlers.
Finding Home in New Philadelphia and Pike County, Illinois
$20.00
Carol McCartney, 2022
142 pages
A self-published compilation of the author's newspaper articles on New Philadelphia, most of which were written in the 2000s.
Stories Of The Past of Pike County, Illinois
$30.00
Carol McCartney, 2022
135 pages
A self-published compilation of the author's newspaper articles on Pike County history.
Our Pike County, The Soul of Western Illinois
$20.00
Carol McCartney, 2004
172 pages
A self-published compilation of the author's newspaper articles on Pike County history.
"Free Frank" McWorter and The "Ghost Town" of New Philadelphia
$10.00
Grace Matteson, 1964
72 pages
2023 Reprint, Spiral Bound
The first publication on New Philadelphia. Contains information that the author received from the family including primary sources. Also contains an addition of a resident's memories of the town.
Free Frank: A Black Pioneer on the Antebellum Frontier
$20.00
Juliet E. K. Walker, 1983
233 pages
A biography of Free Frank McWorter written by a fifth generation descendant. The first scholarly publication on the topic. Written as a graduate student under John Hope Franklin.
New Philadelphia
$20.00
Gerald A. McWorter and Kate Williams-McWorter, 2018
211 pages
The most recent book written on New Philadelphia by a fifth generation descendant of the founding family.
New Philadelphia: An Archaeology of Race in the Heartland
$20.00
Paul Shackel, 2011
207 pages
An analysis of the archaeological findings at New Philadelphia written by one of the leaders of the digs.
Your Food, My Adventure: One Farmer's Journey to Feed the World
$20.00
Philip E. Bradshaw, 2019
189 pages
A memoir of a successful county farmer and activitst.
Robert Earl Hughes: The Largest Man to Ever Walk the Earth
$10.00
Scott Maruna
116 pages
A biography
The Nicolay Land Series
$10.00
Jess Thompson, 1937 - 1938
84 pages plus index
2024 Reprint Spiral Bound
Pike County Ballads
$10.00
John Hay, 1871
85 pages
The text of the poems along with additional information and essays. Artwork by N. C. Wyeth.
Pike County Ballads
$5.00
John Hay, 1871
40 pages
The simple text of a series of poems that were based, to some extent, on Pike County and Warsaw in Hancock County.
One Boy's Pike County
$15.00
Jon Payne, 2011
399 pages with index
A Yeerlie Look At Pike: A 19th Century Scrapbook
$15.00
Beard
100 pages
An illustrated kid-friendly history of Pike County.
A Yeerlie Look At Pike: A 20th Century Scrapbook
$15.00
Beard
100 pages
An illustrated kid-friendly history of Pike County.
Pike County Bicentennial
$20.00
Pike County Historical Society, 2022
171 pages
A compilation of the articles written for the county's Bicentennial. Provides a snapshot of county history and lots of pictures.
The Flag with 34 Stars: Company H.73rd Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry
$10.00
Nancy Ross Chapter of DAR, 2010
60 pages
The story of the Civil War flag on display at the All Wars Museum
Lincoln’s 1858 Visit to Pittsfield, Illinois
$5.00
Fisher, 1968
13 pages
Recounts Abraham Lincoln's visit to Pike County, detailing the sites he visited and the people he knew.
Pike County True Ghost Stories
$15.00
Pike County Historical Society
31 pages
A compilation of true stories and legends of ghost stories.
Combined Atlas
$20.00
Spiral bound reprint of 1872 and 1912 plat books in one edition.
*These do not have protective cover.
The 1872 plat book, in addition to maps of land ownership, contains county history and information on the county's early settlers and prominent citizens. A great primary source referenece.
History of Pike County: A Centennial Address
$3.00
William Grimshaw, 1876
35 pages
A speech recounting, in brief, the history of Pike County.
School Directory of Pike County
$3.00
1944-1945
19 pages
Abraham Lincoln Chronology
$3.00
Pratt, 1957
15 pages
The Great Triumvirate
$1.00
Findley and Winston, 1959
24 pages
Recollections of John McWilliams
$25.00
John McWilliams 1919. Reprinted in 2024. This memoir presents the reader with a fascinating history of growing up in rural Illinois, traveling west to try his luck during the Gold Rush and serving in the Civil War.
186 pages with index.
The Lincoln Connection, Pike County Illinois, A Call to Arms
$55.00
The Abe Lincoln Project/Looking for Lincoln in Pike County, 2019. 336 pages with index.
A Looking for Lincoln book.
"The Taste Is In My Mouth A Little..."
$30.00
Wayne Temple, 2004. Includes the 1843 cookbook Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches. This book assists the reader in understanding the day to day life of Lincoln in Kentucky, Springfield and Washington.
702 pages with index.
A Looking for Lincoln book.
Abraham Lincoln: From Skeptic to Prophet Third Edition
$30.00
Wayne Temple, 2013. A sweeping study of Lincoln's religious heritage tracing his spiritual pilgrimage to find God. 446 pages with index.
A Looking for Lincoln book.
Lincoln's Travels on the River Queen During the Last Days of His Life
$10.00
Wayne Temple, 2007. This book examines Lincoln at his pinnacle in the closing days of the Civil War, of the others who played their parts and the vessel that housed them and hosted them during those historic events. 101 pages with index.
A Looking for Lincoln book.
Lincoln's Travels on the River Queen During the Last Days of His Life Audio
$6.00
Wayne Temple, 2007. This book examines Lincoln at his pinnacle in the closing days of the Civil War, of the others who played their parts and the vessel that housed them and hosted them during those historic events. Audiobook on two CDs read by Wayne Temple.
A Looking for Lincoln item.
Lincoln's Springfield Pittsfield Connection "A Tale of Two Cities"
$30.00
Wayne Temple, 2017. A tale of the connections between Lincoln, Milton Hay, John Hay, John Nicolay, Charles Philbrick and other Pike County folks that crossed paths with and assisted Lincoln in his career.
179 pages with index
A Looking For Lincoln book.
Lincoln's Springfield Pittsfield Connection "A Tale of Two Cities"
$6.00
Wayne Temple, 2017
Audio book on three CDs read by the author Wayne Temple.
A Looking For Lincoln item.
Pibble the Pig Explores Pike County Illinois
$5.00
A Coloring and Activity Book by Bill Beard
1988 East School Glass Ornament
$3.00
2021 Ceramic Bicentennial Ornament
$3.00