advertisement

1968 sesquicentennial stamp donated to Gallatin Historical Society

GALLATIN COUNTY - A recent donation to the Gallatin County Historical Society commemorates the 150th anniversary of Illinois.

Gallatin County Historical Society members recently were put in contact with Timothy D. Martin of West Frankfort by Shawneetown's postmistress.

Martin was offering memorabilia from the 1968 first-day issue of a stamp celebrating the Illinois Sesquicentennial.

Martin wanted to find a new home for the items, and the historical society was glad to meet with him.

GCHS member Christy Short met with Martin at the Shawneetown Library, where he revealed a letter his father had written to him in 1968 about the event, plus a sheet of the uncirculated 6-cent stamps.

"We struck a deal and the historical society now has more wonderful history to share with its community," Short said.

She thanked Martin, along with librarian Trisha Drone Scates.

The items have been placed in a frame for safe keeping. They will be on display in the library and at the John Marshall Bank Museum.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTY SHORTTim Martin, with some historical items regarding Illinois' Sesquicentennial. Martin contributed the items to the Gallatin County Historical Society.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTY SHORTTim Martin, right, and Gallatin County Historical Society member Christy Short hold an uncirculated set of 6-cent stamps honoring Illinois' Sesquicentennial in 1968.
A collection of items related to the Illinois Sesquicentennial. PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTY SHORT