Historic drawings to be part of courthouse centennial

David Alan Badger will begin contacting businesses Jan. 21 to be sponsors in a book of drawings of businesses and historic buildings in the county, a fund raising effort for the Hancock County courthouse centennial celebration.

Sketches of life 100 years ago are part of the fundraising for the centennial celebration of the Hancock County courthouse.

Artist David Alan Badger of Havana will begin talking with business owners in the county next week with a proposal to be included in a book of sketches of businesses and historic buildings of the county. He is planning a second book with drawings of many views of the courthouse as well as historic photos text about the courthouse.

“I will go to businesses to do drawings of their buildings,” Badger explained, while he was in town last week, talking with Kris Pilkington, co-chairman of the Courthouse Centennial Committee.

“As the book is laid out, the left page will feature a drawing and historical information of a sponsoring business, and on the right hand page will be a building with historic significance in the community,” he said.

Larry Coleman of the Hancock County Historical Society will work with the Centennial Committee to identify 50 historical buildings to be sponsored by county businesses.

“My goal is to contact every business in the county. I want to have each community in the county give input into the selection of buildings that go into the book. What comes out will be a nice portrayal of the county,” Badger said. The books will be finished for the October celebration.

Each sponsor will receive a framed drawing of the business plus six complete books. The committee will receive 50 books to sell which can provide up to $2,000 for the committee for expenses of the centennial.

The second book will be drawings of the inside features and views of the outside of the courthouse on about 40 pages. The photos and text will be provided by the Centennial Committee with drawings by Badger.

Badger started making his living with art in 1983, making 2008 his 25th year. He has published 40 books of historic drawings.

“I actually got my start through a Hancock County man. In 1984 I saw a program advertised, ‘Barns of McDonough County' by Kent Slater. After the program I went up to talk with him and told him what I was starting to do. He said to call him the next day,” Badger said.

Slater wanted Badger to make a book of barns, which he did, and is still marketing. He has published a book with drawings of all the courthouses in Illinois, and one with Illinois wineries and bed/breakfasts, each featuring two favorite recipes from the owner.

Earlier this fall Badger was promoting that book to Pam Schieffer at Country Pastimes in Carthage, when she suggested he talk to Brenda Pyatt, and Pyatt directed him to the centennial committee.

Badger has had a variety of jobs including 12 years publishing a magazine of historic architecture.

“That got to the point where I was doing more with publishing than with architecture and design,” he said. He perfected his technique for drawing around 1982, but he needed a marketing plan.

“I was naive. I just thought I would draw pictures and people would buy them,” he said. It was only when he began marketing books for communities and regions that his career in art blossomed.

Badger will meet with Hancock County business owners for about two months.

“I will start drawing right away. Once I get started, I like to meet with business owners on Wednesday to Friday, and then draw on Monday and Tuesday. I need to have proofs ready to take back to the businesses,” he said. His wife follows up with computer publishing of the spiral bound books.

Anyone wanting more information can contact Hancock County Treasurer Kris Pilkington, 217/357-3986; or Badger at 309/370-0586 or david@davidalanbadger.com.