The O’Fallon Historical Society announces its first local history research contest in honor of its twentieth
anniversary.
Contestants are asked to find something interesting in the local area’s history. The topic may be about a
famous, infamous or otherwise significant individual; businesses; pioneer families; Scott Air Force Base or
local military history; the cultural foundation of the area; building or geographic landmarks; etc. Local area
is defined as anywhere within the boundaries of O’Fallon Township High School District 203 plus Scott AFB.
The overriding criteria of the essays are that they are historical in basis and original works of the author.
They will also be judged on creativity, effective use of research, and grammar and style.
Winning entries will be announced in May, during the society’s twentieth anniversary celebrations. The
winner will receive a $200 Series EE Bond. Second place will receive a $50 bond. The contest is open to
any high school-aged student attending OTHS or living within the boundaries of OTHS District 203—this
includes O’Fallon Township and most of Caseyville and Shiloh Valley Townships.
Each entry should include at least two bibliography sources, which may include such unique sources as
interviews, letters, court documents, business directories, census records, photos, maps, and diaries.
Students should seek out research sources at the O’Fallon Public Library and the O’Fallon Historical
Society museum, among other locations. Sole use of the Internet or others’ research work, such as
published histories, will result in a lower scoring essay than those where the student showed effort at
finding original sources.
Essays should be no longer than 1,000 words in length, in 10- or 12-point Arial or Times New Roman font,
and submitted as part of an email to contest@ofallonhistory.net by April 30. Do not send attachments as
they will not be opened. At the beginning of the email should be the contestant’s name, age and grade,
school, address, email address, and phone number. The essay should have a title representing the essay.
At the bottom of the email should be the bibliographic sources. Word count only applies to the text of the
essay.
For additional information call 624-8409 during museum hours, email contest@ofallonhistory.net, or stop by
the O’Fallon Historical Society Museum at 101 West State Street. Museum hours are Wednesdays,
Fridays and Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. Museum staff will open the museum for student research March 30, from
2-5 p.m.
anniversary.
Contestants are asked to find something interesting in the local area’s history. The topic may be about a
famous, infamous or otherwise significant individual; businesses; pioneer families; Scott Air Force Base or
local military history; the cultural foundation of the area; building or geographic landmarks; etc. Local area
is defined as anywhere within the boundaries of O’Fallon Township High School District 203 plus Scott AFB.
The overriding criteria of the essays are that they are historical in basis and original works of the author.
They will also be judged on creativity, effective use of research, and grammar and style.
Winning entries will be announced in May, during the society’s twentieth anniversary celebrations. The
winner will receive a $200 Series EE Bond. Second place will receive a $50 bond. The contest is open to
any high school-aged student attending OTHS or living within the boundaries of OTHS District 203—this
includes O’Fallon Township and most of Caseyville and Shiloh Valley Townships.
Each entry should include at least two bibliography sources, which may include such unique sources as
interviews, letters, court documents, business directories, census records, photos, maps, and diaries.
Students should seek out research sources at the O’Fallon Public Library and the O’Fallon Historical
Society museum, among other locations. Sole use of the Internet or others’ research work, such as
published histories, will result in a lower scoring essay than those where the student showed effort at
finding original sources.
Essays should be no longer than 1,000 words in length, in 10- or 12-point Arial or Times New Roman font,
and submitted as part of an email to contest@ofallonhistory.net by April 30. Do not send attachments as
they will not be opened. At the beginning of the email should be the contestant’s name, age and grade,
school, address, email address, and phone number. The essay should have a title representing the essay.
At the bottom of the email should be the bibliographic sources. Word count only applies to the text of the
essay.
For additional information call 624-8409 during museum hours, email contest@ofallonhistory.net, or stop by
the O’Fallon Historical Society Museum at 101 West State Street. Museum hours are Wednesdays,
Fridays and Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. Museum staff will open the museum for student research March 30, from
2-5 p.m.
| O'Fallon Historical Society |
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| 101 W State St, PO Box 344 O'Fallon, IL 62269-0344 618-624-8409 Hours: Wed, Fri & Sat 1-4 pm |
| O'Fallon Historical Society 2008 Research Contest |
| Click on box at left to get free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view pdf files |
| Click below to download pdf of contest flier with rules and helpful hints |