The Illinois State Historical Society
Officers

Illinois Heritage
A Publication of The Illinois State Historical Society

July-August 2006                                                                                   Volume 9 Number 4

Departments

4     Letters

4     News

26  The Honor Roll

28  From the Archives

Features

9     C.S. German:
Photographer to President-elect Lincoln

16  Day trips:
Tarzan, Mars, and the jungles of Oak Park

18  Serving on the Great Lakes:
Coeds made money and memories on the Georgian Bay Line

20  Your Obedient Servants:
The Presidential Papers Collection of Joseph and Lucille Block go on the road

23  Society acquires rare portrait of 1879 House of Representatives

Reviews

24  Prairie hoops

25  Terror on the prairie

On the cover

College coed Helen Lee Hensleigh sunbathes aboard the S.S. North American, during the summer of 1942. The cruise ship was one of three operated by the New Georgian Line, which chartered Great Lakes excursions from Chicago to Buffalo. The line hired college students to wait tables and provide entertainment for the passengers. Photo courtesy Helen Lee Hensleigh Wenger.

To our readers:

It's summer in the capital city, a time of flip-flops, halter-tops, and road construction. Outside our office in the city's historic district, utility vehicles and their crews work frantically to repair a break in the water main; traffic is backed up for several blocks. It's a good time to slow down and catch up on Illinois Heritage. The July/August issue features several fascinating stories about the people and places that make Illinois a marvelous place to live and work. You'll meet Lincoln's Springfield photographer, C.S. German; cruise the Great Lakes onboard the S.S. North American; learn about Tarzan's connection with suburban Chicago; and get all the latest Society news and announcements of coming events, such as the Centennial Awards Banquet (October 13) and the Illinois History Symposium (February 15-17, 2007).

The 2007 Illinois History Symposium is seven months and one winter away, but already the Society is working to make it the best conference in its 27-year history. For the first time ever the symposium will be held outside of Springfield on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal. The three-day gathering of historians, scholars, and teachers coincides with the university's 150th anniversary and Founders' Day celebration. The theme is "Knowledge on the Prairie" and focuses on the history of teaching in Illinois, although presentations are not limited to the theme. Watch for details in future issues of Illinois Heritage and on the Society's website, www.historyillinois.org.

William Furry
Executive Director and
Editor, Illinois Heritage

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