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1869 penny spotted at ISSCS to be put in time capsule with '08 penny
By Sharon K. Wolfe
swolfe@pantagraph.com
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NORMAL -- History sometimes whispers loudly with little things like a sliver of copper.

While restoring a cast-iron eagle from the former Illinois Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s School, Jim Dolan of J & J Performance Powder Coating, Carlock, spotted an 1865 penny placed by an unknown worker. “From his hand to mine — all that time gone,” marveled Dolan, who restored the eagle in July.

That penny, along with a 2008 one, is in a time capsule at the former orphanage. Five bronze statues — honoring those who lived and worked at the school from 1869 to 1979 — will be unveiled during a ceremony at 2 p.m. Saturday. The cast-iron eagle will perch near the statues.

Speakers are Illinois State University President Al Bowman; state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington; former ISSCS Superintendent Andy Spelios; and Mark Petersen and David Anderson, current and former Normal city managers.

The statues, called the “Circle of Friendship,” are under wraps so people will be surprised, said Jill Vernon, the ISSCS Historical Preservation Society’s community liaison.

“It’s something we can look at and say was ‘home,’” said Yvonne Borklund, society co-president, who lived at ISSCS from 1947 to 1957. “This is where I became what I am. It signifies the love we have for a place we called home.

“We believe in this type of home versus foster care,” she said. There was “warmth, stability and means to become good citizens. We had lots of brothers and sisters. We were a family.”

Now called Normandy Village, most buildings are restored for businesses or private residences. Town of Normal workers, who worked extensively at the site for the statues, have “just been just phenomenal,” said Vernon.

The 1865 penny dates from ISSCS’ founding, though the campus didn’t move to Normal until 1869, said Vernon. The time capsule is buried near the statues.

The statues are the result of 10 years of volunteer work and fundraising, including a book, “A Place We Called Home,” with memories and oral histories. Author Ruth Cobb will sign copies. Books will be sold that day. Cost is $20. About 1,000 copies have sold. Books can be ordered for $23 with check to ISSCS HPS, care of Vernon, 2014 S. Morris Ave., Bloomington, IL 67104.

Dolan, who marveled at the craftsmanship of the eagle, estimates it weighs 350 pounds.

“If that eagle could talk, can you imagine the stories he’d have?” mused Dolan.



Copper slivers



What: Dedication of bronze statues

When: 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: Former Illinois Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s School, 1100 block of North Beech Street, Normal; in case of rain, ceremony will be at nearby community center.

Take a look
Town of Normal Park Maintenance worker Zach Blick, left, Director of Parks and Recreation, Doug Wiggs, right, look on at the "Circle of Friendship" statue at the Normal Annex in Normal Tuesday afternoon (August 26, 2008). The statue is one of five statues which will be displayed at the ISSCS, former orphanage, September 6, 2008). (Pantagraph/B Mosher)
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Reader comments on this story - 1 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

mds1 wrote on Sep 1, 2008 11:51 AM:

" The area referred to as Normandy Village was only one third of the entire number of the cottages that housed the children of ISSCS. There were another 16 cottages that also housed children, plus all the other buildings that made the ISSCS community self sufficient. They included a rec hall, school, gymnasium, work shops, arts and crafts building, heating plant, cafeteria, hospital, administration building, sewing room and laundry, receiving building, girl scout cabin, and tennis courts. I'm probably forgetting some buildings too. This place was huge. The former students and workers continue to have annual "family" reunions thanks to Jackie Neal a former employee of ISSCS. It was, indeed, a sad day when the doors of our home closed in 1979, but we continue to meet each year to celebrate the memory of our home and our "family." "
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