It has been said that a friend is one who knows who you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and allows you to grow. The 1820 Col. Benjamin Stephenson House is a restored historic home that has allowed visitors and program participants to experience the life and times of early Edwardsville and Illinois in an interactive, hands-on manner for more than a decade.
The Friends organization ensures that this Illinois and Edwardsville landmark’s contribution to the state and nation is preserved for present and future visitors to experience.
In 2000, the Friends of the Col. Benjamin Stephenson House was formed as a not-for-profit group to assist with fundraising, administration, and program activities for the house. As a Friend, you are an important and integral part of the continuation and growth of funding, operation, and programming at The 1820 Benjamin Stephenson House. Memberships are from January - December.
Your membership provides:
· Docent-guided tours of the house each Thursday through Sunday;
· Classroom programs for more than 1500 students in partnership with District 7 and other school districts annually. These programs support the schools’ State core history curriculum for each grade level;
· Youth camps which provide a focused historical experience for students;
· Authentic furnishings, garb, cooking, laundry and other daily activity demonstrations, and cultural experiences for visitors;
· Opportunities for community volunteers and students to participate in a living history interpretive center;
· Expertise of an on-site Director to ensure the authenticity of the activities and environment of the museum.
Without your annual membership support, the house could not stay in operation.




FRIEND OF BEN & LUCY
Jim & Debbie Caulk
Mike & Donna Crider
Kevin & Sue Doak
Cara Lane
Linda J. Miller
Margaret Oberiag
Jeanne Spencer
Michael & Carol Sporrer
Ron Stevens
Marilyn Strangeman
STEPHENSON FAMILY FRIEND
Emogene Beck
Jenece Brown
Tom & Gloria Fayollat
Sean Goding
Leonard & Carol Gnojewski
Judith Grabowski
Vickie Hellman
Sean & Rachel Hill
Randall & Linda Irwin, Irwin Chapel
Kent & Cara Lytle
Mary Maier
Jack & Janette Minner
Benjamin & Ramona Pollard
Howard Rescot
Sarah Zimmerman
LANDMARK FRIEND
Timothy & Hilda Allen
Thomas & Donna Bardon
Gordon & Holly Broom
Susan Buckley
Jane Denny
Diane Dudding
Richard & Linda Dustman
Bill & Susan Lucco
Miller & Maack General Contractors
Jeanette Mallon
Andrea Miracle
John & Kate Motley
Maureen Meyers
Patricia Peverly
Michael & Cynthia Reinhardt
Bart & Meg Solon
Joseph & Kathy Weber
Weber & Rodney Funeral Home
Stephen Weissman
Gloria Zupanci
HERITAGE FRIEND
Kendrick & Donna Bisset
Karen Edison
Peggy Emling
Francis Floeter
George & Patricia Henderson
Stacey & David Lipe
Stephen Mudge
Ray & Lucia Weber
Leslie Wood
LIVING HISTORY FRIEND
Jo Ann Jurgena Michael & Cynthia Reinhardt
David & Kay Werner
C. Gardner
Michael & Marian Smithson