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     Charles Perdew Museum Association

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Photos of the Henry Bridge are available! Go to the Gifts & Souvenirs link for pictures. Contact Pat Selquist at 309-364-2980 or 309-238-1520 for prices and ordering.

The Charles Perdew Museum Association $100 monthly drawing runs from April through March each year. Drawings are conducted at CPMA regular board meetings. One $10 ticket buys 12 chances to win $100! Tickets are $10 each and may be purchased from Museum Board members. To order tickets contact:
Pat Selquist 309-364-2980, Rick Porch 309-364-3350, Darren Kraft 309-238-9397, Diane Crook 309-246-8077, or Bob Watkins 309-238-2801.

Charles and Edna Perdew of Henry, Illinois combined their talents to become famous
folk artists in Central Illinois and throughout the rest of the United States. They produced thousands of examples of painted wildfowl sculptures. These decoys were originally purchased by hunters to attract ducks, geese, and crows to within shooting range.

Charlie was born near Henry in 1874 and was a hunter and carver of decoys. Edna was born in 1882 in Henry and their marriage in 1902 formed an artistic partnership that lasted almost sixty years. For much of that time, Charlie carved and Edna painted from their home and workshop in Henry. Charlie Perdew died in 1963 and Edna survived him until 1974.

The story of this remarkable couple and their artistic legacy has been beautifully portrayed in the book "PERDEW: An Illinois River Tradition " by Ann Tandy Lacy and published by David Galliher in 1993. Copies of this book can be obtained through the museum.

The Charles Perdew Museum Association was formed to preserve the Perdew artistic heritage and homestead; renovate and restore Charlie's workshop; and provide education on decoy carving and painting, and Illinois River lifestyle and history. The buildings located at 914 Front Street in Henry, Illinois are mainly for use as a teaching museum and interpretive center.

We welcome and rely on public support via donations and memberships. Join or support the Charles Perdew Museum Association by using the Contact  form on this website or by writing to CPMA, at the address below. The Charles Perdew Museum Association is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 organization, and as such, your donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.