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Bement Area News

150th Anniversary of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates
July 26, 2008 in Bement, Illinois

10:00 a.m.
Veterans Memorial Park
Opening Ceremony with guest speaker Bryon Andresen, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum
Prairie Ovation - Senator Douglas, Prairie Ovation - Mr. Lincoln
Douglas-Lincoln Press Conference #1

On Lawn shared by Bryant Cottage State Historic Site & F.E. Bryant 2nd home (Pat Hunter’s home) South of Veterans Memorial Park

11:30 a.m.
Military Drill – Civil War Soldiers

12:00 noon
Lunch In Camp – Civil War Soldiers Only

1:00 p.m.
Visit with Sen. Douglas & Mr. Lincoln in the Big House (ticket only)
A Play- The Bement Story (United Methodist Church Sanctuary)

1:30 p.m.
Bayonet Drill – Civil War Soldiers

1:45 p.m.
Visit with Sen. Douglas & Mr. Lincoln in the Big House (ticket only)

2:00 p.m.
Tea in the Big House (ticket only)
A Play- The Bement Story (United Methodist Church Sanctuary)

2:30 p.m.
Tableau Vivant – Civil War Soldiers
Visit with Sen. Douglas & Mr. Lincoln in the Big House (ticket only)

2:45 p.m.
Tea in the Big House (ticket only)

3:30 p.m.
Military Drill – Civil War Soldiers
Tea in the Big House (ticket only)
Veterans Memorial Park - Douglas-Lincoln Press Conference #2

4:00 p.m.
Concert - Bement Community Band & Monticello Summer Singers
Ongoing activities (10 am – 5 pm)
Demonstrations in military & civilian camps/Food sales /period craftdemo/sales. Demonstrations of 19th century childrens games/Middle School History Fair Projects/Special Commemorative Stamp Cancellation/150th Anniversary Debates Commemorative Coin

For more information, call 217-678-8184; or email hpa.bryantcottage@illinois.gov

Sponsored by: IL. Association of Museums, IL. Historic Preservation Agency, IL Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, IL Bureau of Tourism, IL Dept. Commerce & Economic Opportunity, Abraham LincolnPresidential Library & Museum, Looking for Lincoln Coalition, Bement Sesquicentennial Committee, Bement Community Council & Bryant Cottage State Historic Site

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Internet Bement News

Dear Internet Customers,

It's with a sad heart that we're announcing the end of Internet Bement local dial-up Internet service. Our last day of service will be August 29, 2008.

The dial-up services and all related customer help services will end on that date.

The economics of running a small-scale local Internet service for a dwindling number of dial-up customers, spread over two counties and in 8 different towns, makes it impossible for us to continue offering the service. Read full story...

Download the Reply Form

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Bryant Cottage State Historic Site - Hours of Operation
Call (217) 678-8184 for more information.

Bryant Cottage, built in 1856, is one of Bement's most historic buildings. It's owned and operated by the State of Illinois.

Bryant Cottage will be open:
Thursday - Sunday - 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. March - October
Thursday - Sunday -
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. November - February

The cottage is closed on some holidays.

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Bement, Illinois

Bement is a central-Illinois community with a population of 1,600 founded in 1855. Many turn-of-the-century buildings are still in use and Bement boasts an outstanding business community and school system. Located equidistant between Champaign-Urbana and Decatur, on Illinois Highway 105, close to Interstate 72, and on a railroad, Bement is an excellent location for residential living and for business and has had its own village-owned and operated Internet service for four years.

The community has two lovely parks, an expansive children's play area in the City Park and a Veterans Memorial which is a tourist destination in and of itself. A patriotic community for nearly a century and a half, Bement is gearing up for its Sesquicentennial celebration in 2005 which will be directed by the Bement Community Council which was formed prior to the the Bement Centennial Celebration in 1955 and has been promoting community events continuously ever since.

Take a stroll through our web site and then come and visit us. Bement has an active Community Council, Chamber of Commerce, VFW, American Legion Post, Masonic Lodge, Lions Club, Woman's Club, Support Our Schools group and five churches of different faiths.

It's also the home of a State of Illinois Historic Site, Bryant Cottage, which provides a glimpse of life in 1858. Bement takes a great deal of pride in its rich history.

Bement has had a Community Band for over a century. The band performs during the summer in the City Park Band Shell, participates in parades and out-of-town venues during the summer season.

Visit our parks, swim in our pool, play on our extensive playground equipment, enjoy our flowers and trees, visit our historic site and stay awhile! Bement is a Great Place to Call Home!

For more information about Bement or this web site contact help@bement.com

The Bement Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes you!
This web site is paid for in part by the Bement Area Chamber of Commerce