Warren County Bicentennial
Oral History Project
As part of our celebrations to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Warren County, the Warren County Historical Society has begun an oral history project to preserve stories about the early settlers in the county. These memories are important for our community and help to provide context for the objects that we collect.
The Warren County Bicentennial Oral History Project is modeled on StoryCorps, a non-profit organization founded in 2003, which has recorded the conversations of about 700,000 Americans. These recordings are preserved in the U.S. Library of Congress and in an online archive.
If you are interested in sharing your story, please call us at (309) 734-8433.
The following interviews have been completed:
Bicentennial Oral History Project Interviews, 2025-2026
Mark Parrish Interview
Mark Parrish was interviewed by his grandnephew, Dalton Parrish, on November 19, 2025, for the Warren County Bicentennial Oral History Project, sponsored by the Warren County Historical Society. Mark's family has been farming in Warren County for several generations. He is the current president of the Warren County Historical Society.
https://youtu.be/3riEQtipsFc
Jo and Bob McVey Interview
Joan "Jo" and Robert "Bob" McVey were interviewed by Julie Shaw on February 9, 2026, for the Warren County Bicentennial Oral History Project, sponsored by the Warren County Historical Society. Jo was employed by the Warren Achievement Center, Inc. in Monmouth for nearly 30 years, serving as President/CEO for over 25 years. Bob is a U.S. Navy veteran and was the owner of the Model Clothing store in Monmouth for over 35 years.
https://youtu.be/3qvibAmhKn8
Ron Jensen Interview
Ron Jensen was interviewed by Julie Shaw on January 30, 2026, for the Warren County Bicentennial Oral History Project, sponsored by the Warren County Historical Society. Ray's family farmed in Warren County, and he served as editor of the Review Atlas.
https://youtu.be/bvaVHeDk1N4
John Twomey, Guest Speaker for the West Central Leadership, 2014-2015
In addition to our Bicentennial interviews, we thought our community would enjoy the following talks by John Twomey.
John Twomey Speech, “Yours Truly”
West Central Leadership, Inc. in Monmouth, Illinois, invited John Twomey to be the guest speaker at their fall 2014 "Hearing From Our Very Own" annual luncheon. John was an All-America cross country and track and field star in the 40s and early 50s. He won numerous national championships, competed globally and held a world record. This video is entitled “Yours Truly.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I1Ml10LO9E
John Twomey Speech, “The Rest of the Story"
At the West Central Leadership 2015 fall luncheon, John Twomey discussed his World War II experience and the history of the Twomey Company. This video is entitled "The Rest of the Story."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxzicJCtoI4
The Warren County Bicentennial Oral History Project is modeled on StoryCorps, a non-profit organization founded in 2003, which has recorded the conversations of about 700,000 Americans. These recordings are preserved in the U.S. Library of Congress and in an online archive.
If you are interested in sharing your story, please call us at (309) 734-8433.
The following interviews have been completed:
Bicentennial Oral History Project Interviews, 2025-2026
Mark Parrish Interview
Mark Parrish was interviewed by his grandnephew, Dalton Parrish, on November 19, 2025, for the Warren County Bicentennial Oral History Project, sponsored by the Warren County Historical Society. Mark's family has been farming in Warren County for several generations. He is the current president of the Warren County Historical Society.
https://youtu.be/3riEQtipsFc
Jo and Bob McVey Interview
Joan "Jo" and Robert "Bob" McVey were interviewed by Julie Shaw on February 9, 2026, for the Warren County Bicentennial Oral History Project, sponsored by the Warren County Historical Society. Jo was employed by the Warren Achievement Center, Inc. in Monmouth for nearly 30 years, serving as President/CEO for over 25 years. Bob is a U.S. Navy veteran and was the owner of the Model Clothing store in Monmouth for over 35 years.
https://youtu.be/3qvibAmhKn8
Ron Jensen Interview
Ron Jensen was interviewed by Julie Shaw on January 30, 2026, for the Warren County Bicentennial Oral History Project, sponsored by the Warren County Historical Society. Ray's family farmed in Warren County, and he served as editor of the Review Atlas.
https://youtu.be/bvaVHeDk1N4
John Twomey, Guest Speaker for the West Central Leadership, 2014-2015
In addition to our Bicentennial interviews, we thought our community would enjoy the following talks by John Twomey.
John Twomey Speech, “Yours Truly”
West Central Leadership, Inc. in Monmouth, Illinois, invited John Twomey to be the guest speaker at their fall 2014 "Hearing From Our Very Own" annual luncheon. John was an All-America cross country and track and field star in the 40s and early 50s. He won numerous national championships, competed globally and held a world record. This video is entitled “Yours Truly.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I1Ml10LO9E
John Twomey Speech, “The Rest of the Story"
At the West Central Leadership 2015 fall luncheon, John Twomey discussed his World War II experience and the history of the Twomey Company. This video is entitled "The Rest of the Story."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxzicJCtoI4
