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 (2025-2026)
James Chestney
Mike & Donna Crider
Kevin & Sue Doak (2026)
Muriel Jones
Cara Lane (2025-2026)
Linda J. Miller (2025-2026)
Terry & Rosemary Norris
Margaret Oberiag (2025-2026)
Michael & Carol Sporrer
Ron Stevens (2025-2026)
Marilyn Strangeman (2025-2026)
Beverly Turner
Annabelle Vanderpoel
Sharon Whittaker
STEPHENSON FAMILY FRIEND
Emogene Beck (2025-2026)
J. Yvette Booker
Jenece Brown (2025-2026)
Tom & Gloria Fayollat (2025-2026)
Sean Goding (2025-2026)
Leonard & Carol Gnojewski (2025-2026)
Judith Grabowski (2025-2026)
Vickie Hellman (2025-2026)
Sean & Rachel Hill (2025-2026)
Randall & Linda Irwin, Irwin Chapel (2025-2026)
David & Rita Jenkins
Kent & Cara Lytle (2025-2026)
Linda Lynch
Mary Maier (2025-2026)
Stephanie Malench
Rowena McClinton
Jack & Janette Minner (2025-2026)
Pat & Carol Peterson
Benjamin & Ramona Pollard (2025-2026)
Howard Rescot (2025-2026)
Phil Stack
Sue Wolf
Sarah Zimmerman
LANDMARK FRIEND
Timothy & Hilda Allen (2025-2026)
Thomas & Donna Bardon
Gordon & Holly Broom (2025-2026)
Susan Buckley (2025-2026)
Doug & Maxine Callies
Jane Denny (2025-2026)
Diane Dudding (2025-2026)
Richard & Linda Dustman (2025-2026)
Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau
Pat & George Henderson
Bruce & Nancy Hoffman
Bill & Susan Lucco (2025-2026)
Miller & Maack General Contractors (2025-2026)
Jeanette Mallon (2025-2026)
Andrea Miracle (2025-2026)
John & Kate Motley (2025-2026)
William & Jennifer Mudge
Maureen Meyers (2025-2026)
Patricia Peverly (2025-2026)
Michael & Cynthia Reinhardt
Bart & Meg Solon
Ronnie Stellhorn
Joseph & Kathy Weber
Weber & Rodney Funeral Home (2025-2026)
Stephen Weissman (2025-2026)
Gloria Zupanci (2025-2026)
HERITAGE FRIEND
Kendrick & Donna Bisset (2025-2026)
Karen Edison
Peggy Emling (2025-2026)
Francis Floeter (2025-2026)
George & Patricia Henderson (2025-2026)
Stacey & David Lipe (2025-2026)
Stephen Mudge (2025-2026)
Chuck & Debbie Rathert
Ray & Lucia Weber (2025-2026)
David & Kay Werner
Leslie Wood (2025-2026)
LIVING HISTORY FRIEND
Elizabeth Edwards
Jo Ann Jurgena (2025-2026)
John & Amy Mullane
Michael & Cynthia Reinhardt (2025-2026)
Lisa Shashek
C. Gardner (2025-2026)
Michael & Marian Smithson (2025-2026)