We host many different events and educational programs that are open to the public. Our goal is to provide access to the history of the area, as well as to educate the public on different historical practices, culture, and events.
See our past and upcoming events below. Please contact us for any additional information.
Please note: All programs start at 7:00 p.m. Locations for the programs are listed below.
2026/2027 Programs
The History of Coal Mining in Grundy County
Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Location: Grundy County History Museum, 510 W. Illinois Ave.
Presenter: Richard “Dick” Joyce
Dick Joyce is a descendant of immigrant coal miners on both sides of his family. He grew up on the family farm near South Wilmington. A graduate of Gardner-South Wilmington High School, Dick earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Lewis College and a master’s degree in history from Illinois State University. He taught for 34 years at Wilmington High School and also taught at the University of St. Francies in Joliet. Mr. Joyce has served on the township board in Greenfield township and also served for 34 years on the Grundy County Board. He has authored several published articles on Northern Illinois coal mining and published a book in 2024 titled “Spring Valley is a Mining Town.”
Program sponsored by Grundy County History Museum and Morris Public Library
The History of Funerals
Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Morris Area Public Library, 604 Liberty Street, Morris
Presenter: Grundy County Coroner John Callahan
John W. Callahan was raised in the Streator and Marseilles area and graduated with the Class of 1975 from Marseilles High School. He attended Illinois Valley Community College, where he earned an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice.
Callahan began his law enforcement career in 1978, serving with the Grand Ridge Police Department, LaSalle County Sheriff’s Department, and Marseilles Police Department. He also attended the Worsham College of Mortuary Science and became a licensed funeral director in 1988, beginning his career in funeral service that same year.
In 1995, Callahan was appointed Chief Deputy Coroner of Grundy County. He was first elected Grundy County Coroner in 2000 and has subsequently been elected in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024.
In addition to his work as Coroner, Callahan has continued his involvement in death investigation and forensic services. He is a member of the Department of Mortuary Recovery Team, a federal team operating under Homeland Security, and has been deployed in response to major disasters, including 911 and Hurricane Katrina.
In 2013, Callahan purchased C. A. Davis and Sons Funeral Home. In 2023, he sold the funeral home to C. A. Davis-Callahan Funeral Home.
Callahan is a D-ABMDI (Diplomate of the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators) and currently serves as Grundy County Coroner.
Program sponsored by the Grundy County History Museum and the Morris Area Public Library