THE FOLLOWING IS A NEWS-GAZETTE STORY BY JENNIFER BAILEY
ABOVE: Vermilion County Bicentennial – A day-long celebration will be on Saturday in Catlin. (Picture
CATLIN — A daylong celebration Saturday in Catlin for Vermilion County’s 200th anniversary and the country’s 250th comes 20 years after the village’s own 150th anniversary.
“Catlin holds a unique place in Vermilion County’s story,” said Sara Cast, director of the Catlin Heritage Museum. “Many people don’t realize that Catlin was once considered for the county seat. The bicentennial gives us the opportunity to share those stories, celebrate our local history, and help people better understand how our community helped shape Vermilion County over the last 200 years.”
The Catlin Historical Society is co-sponsoring the daylong event held in conjunction with the Vermilion County Bicentennial Celebration, and has decided to use its platform to celebrate a bygone local invention: the first Tostwich, the earliest known patented toasted sandwich maker or pie iron.
Museum board President Cheri Welsh said the device is like a panini maker or the first George Foreman Grill.
“We have one of the first ones and it still works,” Welsh said.
Those who visit the museum from noon to 3 p.m. will be able to see a demonstration of grilled-cheese sandwiches using the antique press.
The day first kicks off with a parade at 10 a.m.
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