Troy Genealogical Society dissolves after being forced out of Tri-Township Library
“Wreaths Across America” on Dec. 13 at Troy City Cemetery, the group’s final event. The society worked hard raising, leveling and cleaning veteran and family monuments. (Courtesy of Troy Genealogy Society
By Charles Bolinger
Editor
By Rachel Korte
Secretary, Troy Genealogical Society • After 28 years of preserving local history, honoring family stories and fostering a love of genealogy, the Troy Genealogical Society formally dissolved as of Dec. 31, 2025. This decision was not made lightly, wrote secretary Rachel Korte in an email on Dec. 18. “As a non-profit organization, it was not feasible to continue due to operating cost and location availability.”
In June, Diana Bauer, president of the society, spoke to a reporter about a May letter addressed to her group and to the Troy Historical Society from the Tri-Township Library Board. In the letter, the library board of trustees asked both societies to vacate the library by Aug. 17.
“I was a little bit upset because I was one of the board members who attended the library board’s May meeting,” she explained. “We told the board what we had accomplished and what our plans are for [the rest of] 2025 and the future. They already knew what they were going to do, so why didn’t they say something to us then?”Vacating the library meant more than the end of meetings in the same library meeting room. It meant they had to take their respective item collections with them.
Tri-Township Library Board President, Michele Erschen, replied to a reporter’s request for details in June about the 150-square-feet space in question.
“As part of our effort to meet the growing needs of the community, the library board has made the decision to repurpose the meeting room to allow for more flexible space for expanding programs, services and collections,” she said.
“At the same time, we’re facing real limitations in space—both for public events and for the behind-the-scenes work that supports them,” she continued.
Troy’s Historical Society leader said he received the missive right before going on an extended vacation.
“I’m disappointed that the material has been deemed irrelevant,” said Steve Loos, noting for example that people have come to the group to find out their home’s history. “There was so much that could have been done differently,” he said regarding the entire relocation process, such as asking both groups to start cataloging their belongings earlier.
While Loos said he understands using the space for other programming, “There could have been alternate creative solutions other than, ‘just take your stuff and go.’
He reminded a reporter that neither group had the resources to build their own building(s) in Troy. Also, both groups required climate-controlled spaces for their collections, which is not always easily available. The historical society later managed to find a new home.
Bauer agreed and said the library board’s president, Erschen, who was elected last year, could have handled the entire process differently.
“The prior president was good to us but we haven’t had the same kind of treatment since the current president [was elected],” Bauer said. “We’re important to the community, but we’re being pushed out by the younger activities going on.”
Erschen described it differently.
“Repurposing the meeting room is part of a broader effort to make better use of our existing footprint so we can continue meeting those needs efficiently,” she said. “It also helps position the library to grow and adapt in the years ahead, ensuring we can keep pace with the evolving role libraries play in vibrant, engaged communities.”
Korte said since its founding, the society has been dedicated to researching, recording and sharing the rich heritage of Troy and the surrounding area. Through meetings, projects, publications and countless volunteer hours, members worked to ensure that the names, stories and sacrifices of those who came before us would not be forgotten.
Korte thanked everyone who was able to attend the group’s final event, “Wreaths Across America” on Dec. 13 at Troy City Cemetery. The society has worked hard raising, leveling and cleaning veteran and family monuments. We hope this has inspired others to learn more about our unique history.
The Troy Genealogical Society extends its sincere gratitude to its members, volunteers, donors and community partners whose support made its work possible over the years, she said. With pride in what has been accomplished and appreciation for all who participated along the way, the society now brings its mission to a close.
“Though the society is closing this chapter, the stories we uncovered and the friendships we formed will live on,” Korte said. “Thank you for being part of our journey and for helping keep Troy’s history alive.”
For anyone who is interested in joining a local genealogical society, please contact Madison County Genealogical Society in Edwardsville.
Captions – Members of the local Wreaths Across America group gathered for the final time on Dec. 13 in Troy City Cemetery after placing wreaths on the veterans’ graves. Troy’s Genealogy Society dissolved on New Year’s Eve after 28 years.
