White County Historical Society

&

Mary Smith Fay Genealogy Library

Our new website is under construction. Please be patient as we organize and add more information and photos.

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Email the Historical Society at rshous@gmail.com

The Mary Smith Fay Genealogy Library is open Tuesday – Friday from 11:30 – 4:30. Email the Library at msfgenlibrary@gmail.com or call 618-382-8425 to leave a message.

Electronic donations and membership dues can be made via Paypal by clicking on the following link: Paypal
Please make checks payable to:
White County Historical Society and mail to 203 N Church St., Carmi, IL 62821

The White County Historical Society is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization and eligible donations are tax deductible.

The WCHS was founded in 1957 and established its first museum in Carmi when the Ratcliff Inn was saved from destruction in 1960. Abraham Lincoln stayed in the Inn in 1840, and its original owner served in many county offices from 1818 to 1848.

1988 – The Genealogy library was established on the bottom floor of the Ratcliff Inn by Charlene Shields, Janet Armstrong,  & Janet Pritchett with support from Mary Smith Fay, C.G.

In 1966, Miss Mary Jane Stewart donated the Robinson-Stewart House to the Historical Society. The original log cabin was built for John Craw in 1814. It is the oldest house in White County and one of the oldest in the state. When it was built it was in the middle of the wilderness in what was then the Illinois Territory. As Carmi grew and became the county seat, the house served as the court house. It was sold to US Senator John Robinson in 1835. He enclosed the dog run/porch between the original 2 rooms. The Senator and his wife, Mary Ratcliff, added a dining room and kitchen. As they needed even more space, they added a kitchen on the back of the house. The former dining room became the parlor and the kitchen became the dining room. Miss Mary Jane was Senator Robinson’s granddaughter and when she passed away in1966 she left the house to the White County Historical Society.

1992 – The L. Haas Store, built in 1896, was purchased for use as a museum to house the Society’s growing collection of artifacts. It now contains everything from Native American artifacts to a circa 1918 mail rig to hundreds of tools, photographs, and vintage clothing. The Haas Store is a wonderful example of a Mesker cast iron storefront, and is located directly across from the Ratcliff Inn.

1996- Matsel Cabin opened to the public after move and restoration

This 1800’s two-story log cabin was moved from rural
White County into the historical district of Carmi in 1995. It was
refurbished into a functional period pioneer cabin on the prairie and
is an integral part of our museums. It is open to visitors and tours on
special occasions and by appointment. One principal activity each
year is Pioneer Days when it comes alive with 5th grade students
from each county school district, private schools and home
schoolers to witness the life of a pioneer family beginning with the
role of the pioneer wife in the cabin.

1999 – The former public library, built in 1914 with a donation from the Carnegie Corporation, was donated by the City of Carmi. It was dedicated as the Mary Smith Far Genealogy Library in December, 2000.

If you haven’t already, please send in your 2025 membership dues. Be sure to include your email address. This is our main method of communication and sadly we have lost touch with many members due to lack of a valid email address. Feel free to pass this along to anyone you may think is interested in joining or renewing their membership.