What's Happening

Dedication of the Blacksmith Shop on May 23rd & 24th, 2009

As we promised in our last newsletter, the dates and times for the dedication of the Oldendorph blacksmith shop would be forthcoming, and true to our word, here is the information. The event will be held from noon until 4pm on both May 23rd and 24th. There will be soda, chips and hot dogs, with the proceeds going towards a badly needed annex for the museum. Come join us in an effort to bring back a time and craft that was so important to the building of this nation. If you have any stories, pictures or personal recollections of "blacksmithing", bring them along, because we would like to hear and see them. Bring the kids and let them experience a time gone by, but not forgotten. Corky Helms wrote the historical summary below, so you understand how the shop has found its way to our museum. ‘A blacksmith shop that was established in Millstadt, IL in 1856 by Peter Oldendorph has come to the Belleville Labor & Industry Museum. It was operated for 69 years and was shut down in 1926. It was given to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry in 1933 and was moved brick by brick and set up as a working blacksmith shop in the museum. In later years it became a static display and finally, when they were doing renovations, the shop was put into storage. The Belleville Labor & Industry Museum, located at 123 N. Church Street, acquired it, and the shop is now housed in its own building. The forge has a huge bellows to fire the forge. It has been completely reassembled and is now a working blacksmith shop.’ Corky reminds all blacksmiths that he would like to see them and their families at the event. From all of us at the museum -- Hope to see you there!

This shows the Oldendorph Blacksmith Shop exhibit presented by the Chicago Museum of Science & Industry ca 1940. Peter Oldendorph is shown in his Millstadt Blacksmith Shop

New Exhibit: Richland Creek Flood Of 1957

In 1957 Belleville experienced the worst flooding in its history. Following heavy rains Richland Creek overflowed, for a time preventing travel between east and west Belleville. The creek flooded over 250 homes and 50 businesses. Five people died within Belleville's city limits as a consequence of the flood, and property damages exceeded $2.5 million. On 9 June 2008, the museum opened a new exhibit, "Belleville Cut in Two: The Richland Creek Flood of 1957", to document this catastrophe . . . . View more>>

American Flag Exhibit Opens Nov. 12, 2005

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The Labor & Industry Museum will unveil an American Flag Exhibit on November 12, 2005, in commemoration of Veterans Day. The flags, which relate to Belleville and Belleville area history, date from 1851 to 2005 and are each unique in fabric and use. The flags, along with related memorabilia, will be displayed throughout the museum.

One of the most unique flags is a hand stenciled flag of tremendous proportion that at one time hung at the Neuhoff-Bressler Brewery (later Star). It has 31 stars on one side and 33 on the other and was owned by a German revolutionary and immigrant to Belleville, George Neuhoff. The 31 stars recognize California's entry into the union and Oregon's entry two years later. The 1972 flag that flew over the historic St. Clair County Courthouse when it was demolished will be displayed with memorabilia.

There are 13 flags in all (including among others, a Union Hall Flag, a Grand Army of the Republic Flag and a flag flown over Scott AFB, etc) plus a wool Spanish-American War Veteran Coffin Drape Flag. The exhibit will run through May, 2006, and there will be hands-on activities for children.

Jumbo Steam Engine Is Featured In 2005 Calendar

Harold Wright

Labor and Industry Museum's 1895 Harrison JUMBO Steam Traction Engine, is featured in the Vintage Farm Tractors 2005 calendar by Ralph W. Sanders. This calendar will be sold nationwide. The Museum will be selling the calendar for $12.00. The month of October 2005 has an 11 1/2 X 12-inch color photo of the Harrison Steam Engine. All tractor fans that admire the timeless beauty of vintage farm tractors will treasure this popular calendar, filled with striking photos of classic farm tractors. Detailed shots of tractor apparatuses are included with each month's major photos. The history of JUMBO is shown with the October picture and also the Editor Ralph W. Sanders specifically mentions JUMBO in his introduction. Mike Hutsch and the Jumbo Keepers are to be complimented on a JOB WELL DONE! Calendars will be available for sale at all of the Museum functions, at the Labor and Industry Museum every Saturday between 10 am and 4 pm, and at all of JUMBO'S appearances. This calendar is a great educator, gift and keepsake.

St. Louis National Stockyards Exhibit

Our new exhibit about the St. Louis National Stockyards, formerly located at National City, Illinois across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, MO, will open on May 1, 2004.

Of special interest is a 5' x 7' overview of the yards. The 650 acre terminal livestock facility was directly across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, MO. Thirty-one railroads converged at National City, IL., which was a true company town with business centering around the yards. The stockyard companies provided postal service, telegraph service, police and fire protection. Also in the exhibit are the original handwritten minutes of the exchange, artifacts from the prestigious Allerton House (later called the National Hotel), a 6' long hog house gate, archival materials from commission houses and co-ops, photos of the yards, and a 10 minute video which includes footage from the devastating fire of 1986, information on "Mr. Stockyards" an award program of the Stockyards Company, and information about social activities at the yards. The video opens which wonderful shots of prize cattle, hogs and sheep.

The St. Louis National Stockyards and packing houses employed over 14,000 people not including employees of secondary businesses around the yards such as grain, feed and fertilizer merchants, lumber dealers, veterinarians and hog serum companies and railroad employees. Today nothing is left of National City. The Yards, which were established in 1873, closed in 1997. All records are now held in storage at the Oklahoma City Stockyards.

At one time, the St. Louis National Stockyards had the largest horse and mule market in the world -- and placed second in the marketing of hogs. This is a unique exhibit in that all materials were gathered from former employees of the yards.