The DeKalb County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the creation of the Hinckley Historical Society Endowment Fund. This Agency Fund allows the Hinckley Historical Society to focus on more than the day-to-day operations of collecting and preserving artifacts from Hinckley and the Townships of Squaw Grove and Pierce. The Historical Society’s board of directors created the Fund to support research and writing, expenses for special speakers, professional displays, and much more.

The Hinckley Historical Society was founded in the spring of 2007 by a group of individuals who realized no one was preserving their community’s history for future generations. While local resident Dorothy Phillips in her 1976 paperback book “Hinckley,” captured many facts and stories from the community’s first 142 years, nothing was being done to preserve artifacts, pictures, and documents.

The group began gathering items and, in 2011, opened a museum in a historic building in downtown Hinckley to house its collections. Since then, the Historical Society’s focus has been on restoring the building and expanding the museum to nearly double its current size.

Bob Pritchard, Hinckley Historical Society Board President, said the board is ready to focus on researching, explaining, and connecting the community’s stories that are relevant to younger generations. “Our past contains the rewards of discovery, revealing secrets along our journey through life. It allows us to delve into clues of our history’s who, what, and whys.”

The idea of the Fund was made possible by a gift from local philanthropists and long-time residents Mary and Bob Pritchard. “We have seen how endowments have helped many organizations and causes,” Bob said. “We wanted to help the Hinckley Historical Society create a vehicle that would support significant activities well into the future.” The Historical Society invites contributions to this Fund from those interested in the area, the legacy of its residents, and those who want to share in their mission. “History is made each day, and the work of this museum must be ongoing and relevant to future generations,” Bob stated.

“We are honored to manage the endowment of numerous local nonprofit organizations, and thrilled to partner most recently with the Hinckley Historical Society,” said Foundation Executive Director Dan Templin. “Endowments provide a stable source of revenue for nonprofits so that they can focus on fulfilling their important mission work in the community.”

Donations to the Hinckley Historical Society Endowment Fund can be sent directly to the Hinckley Historical Society – 145 E Lincoln Ave, Hinckley, IL 60520.

For questions or to start your own charitable Fund at the DeKalb County Community Foundation, please contact Dan Templin at 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org.