Pottery Made in Durang Displayed at Forman Valley Library

The Manito Historical Society received a real treasure from Elsie Willett last year in the form of a plate made in Durang. This plate in encased in a beautiful wooden display case made by Mr. Wayne Meyer of Manito. The story of the plate and its origins and history are displayed next to the plate to keep our local history alive. Elsie wrote the history of the plate and those who once owned the pottery. This piece of pottery is truly a treasure beyond belief. Joseph Richard Dwyer, native of Tazewell County and later one of Manito’s citizens, was a descendant of a family of four brothers who emigrated from Ireland during the Potato famine. His grandfather Richard J. Dwyer brought his family to Illinois. This paternal grandfather homesteaded in the Glasford area near Peoria, IL where he died in 1864. His son Isaac Dwyer born in 1824 at Glasford, IL, crossed the Illinois River by boat as a young boy by way of the “Old Dike Road” landed at Old Durang Town where at the foot of Durang Hill a settlement had been founded. This settlement consisted of a tavern, a fish market, a thriving Pottery, a general merchandise store, a large grain elevator, and a few scattered houses. Durang is where the beautiful plate was made. The great-granddaughter (Manito’s own Mayme Dwyer Seelye) had this plate, which she gave to her daughter Josephine Seelye Rodell. When Josephine and her husband moved to Texas it was given to Mrs. Elsie Willett for “safekeeping.”
Mrs. Elsie Willett has generously donated this plate to the Manito Historical Society to be housed at the Forman Valley Library. How many of us have a plate manufactured in Durang in the 1800’s? Thank you Mayme, Josephine, and all the Dwyers for saving the plate for the folks of Manito, Illinois. Is this not truly a great treasure? The Historical Society is so grateful to Elsie and Wayne for their generous donations to the Community.

Old Red School House Roof Replaced

In keeping with our long term goals of preservation of our local museums, the Manito Historical Society has replaced the roof on the old Red School House located behind Manito Community Bank. After being unsuccessful in receiving a local bid, we contracted Kelley Construction of Pekin for the roof replacement. There are other smaller jobs to be done to get the buildings in good repair. If you would like to help donate time, craftsmanship or money to the preservation of these buildings please write to the Manito Historical Society, PO Box 304, Manito, IL, 61546, Any and all help from the community is greatly appreciated.