Check out the brochure for our Artwork Exhibit! This is just a sampling of pieces and artists featured. Make sure to stop by before August 2nd to see it all!

TIMELINE

• April 2nd-June 4th: Dropoff donations, sign agreement paperwork 
• June 5th-July 2nd: Vote for your favorites
• July 3rd-August 2nd: Winners on display, artists pickup items

CRITERIA

1. Artist must agree for museum to display work for entirety of competition, and if item is not picked as winner come to collect it after competition is complete. 
2. Winning items will be added to the museum’s permanent collection, please don’t submit items that you are needing back after the competition in case it is the winner. 
3. Artists can be of any age, local or not local, but must be able to physically drop off the item at the museum to sign agreement paperwork and pick it up after, if being returned.  
4. Items must be physical media – no digital artwork. 
5. Acceptable media includes: 
   1. Paintings
   2. Photographs
   3. Sculptures
   4. Watercolors
   5. Pen/Pencil sketches
   6. Quilts
   7. Tatting 
   8. Woodworking
   9. Beadwork
   10. Stained Glass
   11. More media might be added over time depending on demand
6. Item must be appropriate to display to public – no inappropriate content will be accepted.
7. Item must be created by the artist dropping off the item, we cannot accept copyrighted material done by outside individuals. 
8. Artist must be present at drop-off to sign agreement paperwork. 

The museum has the right to turn away submissions that do not fit these criteria. There is no fee to participate. Prizes will be awarded to the winners. 

WINNING ITEMS
The community will pick the winning items! From June 5th-July 2nd come in and vote for your favorites. The 3 items with the most votes in each category will be dubbed the winners and make the museum’s permanent collection. Artists will be notified of results via contact method listed on their agreement form. If your item is not among those making the collection please pick it up within a timely manner. 

USAGE RIGHTS
By submitting this item as part of the competition the artist grants the museum permission to use photos of your art-piece on our social media, website and promotional material. We will also take photos for documentation/archival purposes. Each artist will receive credit for their projects. 
The museum is not liable for injury, loss, or damages of any kind to the persons submitting or artwork being submitted. ​

Oliver was born in Hamilton County in Ohio on January 10th, 1847 to Richard and Mary Crowder. He enlisted as a Private in the Union Army as part of Company K of the 47th Illinois Volunteer Infantry on September 17th, 1861 and was discharged October 12th, 1864.

This unit was originally organized in Peoria, Illinois on August 16th, 1861 but moved several places after. They took part in the capture of Tiptonville, the siege of Corinth, the Battle of Iuka, the siege of Vicksburg, the Red River Campaign, the Battle of Pleasant Hill and many others. Several men were discharged in Springfield in October of 1864, but the remainder of the unit was reorganized and then later mustered out January 21st, 1866.

After the war Oliver joined the Grand Army of the Republic and farmed in York County. He married Parmelia (Amelia) Anderson on March 7th, 1873 in the home of her parents John and Mary Ann Anderson. The Anderson family is known as being the first to homestead in all of York County.

Oliver and Amelia received their deed to homestead on April 1st, 1875. They had 12 children.

Oliver died on May 22nd, 1901 and is buried in Blue Valley Cemetery in McCool Junction. Amelia is buried next to Oliver, but her grave is unmarked.
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​Did you know that the first war the United States fought overseas was the Spanish-American War in 1898? And that it was immediately followed by the Philippine-American War? We are blessed to have several items in our collection from both, including a journal written by a member of Company A, First Nebraska.

Check out our Facebook or Instagram pages to see some of the entries, and a few photos we are very fortunate to have that go along with them!

Also – coming up we’ll be hosting Family Game Night at the Museum on December 28th from 6-7:30PM. Join us and play military-themed board games in our America at War exhibit! Come and go as needed and free admission!