The Tazewell County Genealogical Society drew a strong local crowd this week as residents gathered inside the Poppenga Gymnasium at Delavan High School for an evening dedicated to the intertwined histories of Delavan and Boynton Townships. The program is part of the Society’s ongoing effort to highlight the heritage of each township across Tazewell County.

Tazewell County Clerk and Recorder John Ackerman, who also serves as president of the Tazewell County Genealogical Society, opened the evening with a presentation on the history of Delavan Township. Ackerman, known for his enthusiasm for local history, praised Delavan’s remarkable depth of stories and preservation. “When you talk about hidden gems with tons of history to share, Delavan has got to be right up there with anywhere else,” he told attendees.

Ackerman guided the audience through key moments in Delavan’s development, from its early settlement years to the people and institutions that shaped the community’s identity. His presentation blended well‑known milestones with lesser‑told stories, offering a fuller picture of Delavan’s evolution.

The program then shifted eastward as Susan Rynerson of the Tazewell County Genealogical Society presented the history of Boynton Township. Rynerson outlined Boynton’s agricultural foundations, early families, and the longstanding connections between Boynton and Delavan. Her presentation emphasized how the two townships grew alongside one another, sharing schools, commerce, and community ties.

To close the evening, Mary Ruth Lowry of the Delavan Historical Society offered a local perspective, sharing additional insights, artifacts, and stories tied to Delavan’s earliest families and civic life. Her contribution added a personal, community‑rooted layer to the broader historical narrative.

Together, the three presentations offered a rich, accessible look at two townships whose histories continue to shape daily life in southern Tazewell County.