Illinois State Museum Publications

Illinois State Museum “Story of Illinois” Booklet Series and others

Invitation-Birds-1

INVITATION TO BIRDS

Story of Illinois Series #5, first published in 1948. 64 pages.

“Once upon a time not so very long ago, birds were not looked upon as they are today. It was considered fine sport to kill robins and blue birds. … geese, wrens, which most closely and delightfully are part of the section of America known as Illinois.”


Flowers-1

FLOWERS THAT BLOOM IN THE SPRING

Story of Illinois Series #4, first published in 1947. 48 pages.

“In the hill-woods above the river, the oaks and hickories look down on redbuds in bloom, on the sparkle of shadbush blossoms………….”


Native-Ferns-1

NATIVE FERNS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA

Published by Canadian Audubon Society and Federation of Ontario Naturalists, 1946

64-page booklet with 15 page introduction and photos by Virginia

“Down the sandy road are the woods. They are green and shining in the sunlifht, with a tangle of wild raspberries fringing……….”


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EXPLORING FOR MUSHROOMS

Story of Illinois Series #3, first published in 1945. 64 pages.

“In the mushroom world dwell some of the strangest and most interesting forms to be found in nature…………..”


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BIRDS IN YOUR BACKYARD

First published in 1941. 224 pages. Published by the Illinois State Museum

“Birds in your backyard is a series of word and brush impressions of the birds of Sangamon County, Central Illinois…………..”


Outdoors-Illinois-cover

OUTDOOR ILLINOIS – 1958

Published by the State of Illinois Department of Conservation

Virginia contributed two articles for this issue – both filled with her duotone paintings.


Wild-Flowers-cover

ILLINOIS WILD FLOWERS

First published in 1951, 256 pages. Most photos by John Voss with many from Virginia as well.

“Crisp and colorful and ornamental, the skunk cabbage pushes through the spring mud………


Story-Illinois-cover

THE STORY OF ILLINOIS

First published in 1943, 24 pages. Illustrations from the dioramas by Bartlett Frost.

“In the long ago, before the Coal Age, Illinois much of the time was covered by seas. ………