Historic Town of Oakland Worth a Visit This Summer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 23, 2004
Contact: Traci Montgomery, President 217-346-2016
Oakland Historical Foundation
Historic Town of Oakland Worth a Visit This Summer
Wednesday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Tucked away in east central Illinois is a quaint, historic, rural, farm town that broke from tradition. At the turn of the 19th century the town boasted several professional women: a doctor, a dentist, ministers, and a professional photographer.In 1920, when only five percent of all doctors in the United States were women, Oakland had one. Again, in the mid-1900s, the community accepted women in non-traditional roles: a doctor, several ministers and a newspaper editor.
An exhibit sponsored by the Oakland Historical Foundation and supported by the Illinois Humanities Council, “WORKING WOMEN,” DOCUMENTS THESE AND THE MORE TRADITIONAL ROLES FOR WOMEN.
Between now and August 15, 2004 the public is invited to discover who these women were and to see the tools and equipment they used in their occupations. The exhibit is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or by appointment, either for individuals or groups by calling 217-346-2289.
“Women have long contributed to the economic vitality of their families and communities, often in ways unnoticed by standard histories. From the earliest days of Oakland women have been entrepreneurs,” explained Foundation president, Traci Montgomery. “They have been business owners, partners with their husbands, and have found ways to market or use their homemaking skills to earn money.”
Besides featuring the above unusual women, 14 other careers are exhibited: housekeeper and servant; laundress; boarding house owner; farmer; milliner and dressmaker; teacher; daycare worker; store clerks; office clerks; restaurant workers; nurses; librarian; postal clerks and beautician.
An Old-Fashioned Independence Day celebration on July 3 will include opportunities for children and curious adults to try their hand at the various occupations featured in the exhibit.
“Working Women” is not the only reason to visit the town. Oakland has two other historic sites to tour. The Dr. Hiram Rutherford Home and Complex, run by Landmarks, Inc., features his 1840s frame home and doctor’s office, a barn with Mail Pouch advertising painted on it, a depot, and a tobacco shed. Just north of town is a village comprised of log buildings, named Independence after the original name for Oakland. A private home, a log building dating from the 1830s, is also often open to the public during citywide events.
Oakland also has three antique shops on the picturesque town square and an art gallery. The colonial-styled Inn on the Square is a bed and breakfast with a full restaurant, specialty shops and antique shop. A deli, D & Z, is also located on the square. The deli and one of the shops are located in Dr. Viola Beck’s former Victorian home and office. A more rustic overnight experience can be had at the campground at Walnut Point State Park just five miles north of town.
Oakland is located near the junction of State Roads 133 and 49 in Coles County. There is easy access through the gently rolling prairie from Interstates 57 or 70. The town is about an hour from Champaign-Urbana, Decatur and Terre Haute, Indiana; and is about 30 miles from Charleston. Contact the Oakland Community Calendar Committee at 217-346-2735 for more information about upcoming events and area attractions.