Phillips County Historical Society celebrates 50 years

    At a celebration five decades in the making, community members gathered at Phillips County Museum in Holyoke Sunday, April 8, for the 50th anniversary of the Phillips County Historical Society.
    After enjoying a baked potato lunch and cake, guests browsed the museum and watched a slideshow with pictures from the past.
    A special case offered a glimpse of some items rarely on display at the museum, including:
    —1923-24 Phillips County educational directory with a list of rural schools, teachers and directors as well as textbook recommendations for each subject. It was one of the first artifacts donated to the historical society when it was first formed in 1967.
    —Froggie cast iron ashtray which was part of a large donation from the W.E. Heginbotham estate.
    —Hand-painted tea strainer donated by Bessie Gassert. In addition to the nearly 750 items left by her estate, Gassert made several smaller donations while she was still alive.

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