Happy Birthday America!
Willington on the Way — Jul 2026
Hi, Readers!
This month has certainly started with a bang!
On July 1, we attended the dedication honoring veterans from all branches of the military at the beautiful new Veterans Park in McCormick. Then, just a few days later, the McCormick County 250 Committee celebrated America's birthday with a wonderful Fourth of July event.
I was fortunate enough to be invited as a guest speaker for the 250th Anniversary celebration. They asked me to talk about the Revolutionary War, so I shared the fascinating story of Fort Charlotte in nearby Mount Carmel. I also had the opportunity to tell everyone about what we're doing at the History Center, the Bookshop, and all of the wonderful things happening at Willington on the Way.
I enjoyed sharing the story of how Sarah and Dan began this adventure with one little old post office building that still stands on our property today. From those humble beginnings, their vision has grown into a seven-building community dedicated to preserving and sharing our local history.
Speaking of the History Center, we've just received one of our most unusual exhibits yet—a full-size eagle! I'm not going to tell you how we acquired it. You'll have to come by and read the story for yourself. Trust me...it's a good one.
We've also redesigned one of our display walls and are continuing to add new exhibits. A few of our newest artifacts are real head-scratchers. If you can correctly identify what they were used for, you'll win one of our tabletop history books!
Our goal at the Bookshop, Curiosity Shop, and History Center is simple: every visit should offer something new. Whether it's a recently donated artifact, a new historical story, a unique curiosity, or fresh additions to our bookstore, we're always looking for ways to make your next visit different from your last.
Thank you for your continued support. We truly appreciate every visitor, volunteer, and friend who helps keep Willington on the Way growing.
I hope to see you soon!
Barry
