Robert Hoey has always been intrigued with written and fictional history. In 1995, he had an idea to start a historical society in the City of Christopher, a small, rural community of 2,800 people. Owing to his hard work in promoting his dream, the Christopher school district gave the old, vacant Mulkeytown Grade School building to the newly founded group. Thus was born the West Franklin Historical District and Genealogy Society. Mr. Hoey is its founder and director. Today the Mulkeytown building is home to much of West Franklin County history, and hundreds of children and adults tour this building of history each year. In 2003, Christopher celebrated its one-hundredth birthday, so in 2001, Mayor Gary Bartolotti appointed Mr. Hoey to be the centennial committee chairman. He stepped up to the plate, organizing the committee and planning the event. When Christopher celebrated its centennial in 2003, says Mayor Bartolotti, ?Robert's hard work made [it] a huge success.?
Select Illinois Humanities Council programs are now available for listening or download at Chicago Public Media (WBEZ) as a part of Chicago Amplified, a web-based audio library of diverse public events recorded throughout the Chicago region.
