"La Salle in the Civil War" at La Salle Library

On Tuesday, July 23rd, at 6:00 p.m., the La Salle Public Library will host Historian and Educator, Rachel Mellen when she presents, "La Salle in the Civil War."  

La Salle is one of the oldest cities in Illinois, and for a time, was considered a frontier town.  Just twenty-five years after its founding, the citizens were thrown into the turmoil of the Civil War.   Little was known about how the war affected the city, until recently, when a cache of letters written by William Kennedy, a harnessmaker from La Salle, who led Company G of the 55th Illinois Volunteer Infantry was discovered.   The letters tell the story, not only of the men who enlisted, but the challenges facing the families back home, the divided loyalties, and the ultimate cost of the struggle.  

Rachel Mellen has over thirty years' experience in genealogical research and teaching.   She has presented at the Newberry Library, the Chicago Branch of the National Archives, and the Illinois State Genealogical Society, and has taught at Illinois Valley Community College.  She is an active member and past president of the La Salle County Genealogical Guild. 

This program is free and open to the public.   The La Salle Public Library is located at 305 Marquette, La Salle and is ADA compliant and welcoming.   For more information, please call the Library at 815-223-2341.