This article orginally appeared in The Gazette-Democrat

The Union County Historical and Genealogy Society is seeking assistance from Cobden area residents as it prepares to host a special exhibit in 2014.

The society has been selected by the Smithsonian, in partnership with the Illinois Humanities Council, to host a Hometown Teams program.

The exhibit is scheduled to open on March 1, 2014, at the Union County Museum in downtown Cobden. The museum is operated by the society.

Cobden is one of six towns in Illinois which have been selected to host the event.

The Smithsonian is providing a national sports exhibit. The historical society will be complementing the exhibit with photos and memorabilia featuring local teams.

The historical society reported in the Village of Cobden’s December newsletter that it is seeking help from Cobden area residents as it works on the exhibit.

Photos of the 1979 and 1987 Cobden High School baseball teams, the 2008, 2009 and 2010 high school girls’ softball teams and the 1964 high school boys’ basketball team are being sought.

The historical society is interested in both group shots and action shots of individual players.

Photos also are needed of adult baseball teams from the late 1940s and 1950s, including a 1951 game which was broadcast by Harry Carey.

For more information, contact Judy Travelstead at 893-2567, Paulette Aronson at 893-2882 or Bonnie Heidinger at 618-549-5002.