Community Calendar

The Artisans Galleria wants to invite you to a book signing by local author, historian, and former Shelbyville resident Kevin Corley. Kevin will be signing copies of his book "Sixteen Tons" on Saturday, August 30 from 1:00 to 5:00pm. 

Sixteen Tons takes the reader on a journey through the early 1900's dangerous and dark coal mining days here in central Illinois and the entire country. The saga of the Vacca family and many other colorful characters unfolds to tell the history of local mining, cave-ins, black damp, the United Mine Workers, and even "the Miner's Angel" Mother Jones.

Kevin, after retiring from his education position, turned to his love of writing to share the stories, oral histories, and the facts he shared with students during his career to make history come alive. With many oral histories collected from local sources from the individuals that lived through the events, Kevin brings events such as the Virden and Pana Massacres(1898,1899), the Cherry Mine Disaster(1909), and the UMW rallies and strikes to life and creates a picture of local history not often discussed.

Sixteen Tons is a wonderful read and we are pleased that Shelbyville's own Kevin Corley will be here to sign copies, greet friends, and discuss his book!!! So make sure to stop in on the 30th of August to see Kevin and get a copy of his book.