Posted Thursday, July 9, 2009 --- 12:40 p.m.

Press Release:

JANESVILLE, WI—The Rock County Historical Society unfortunately announced today that the 2009 Tallman Art and Music Festival will be cancelled. The two-day event was to take place on the grounds of the Lincoln-Tallman House in Janesville on August 1-2.

“We don’t know if it is directly related to the current economic situation, but lack of sufficient artists participating in the festival, and a downturn in community sponsorship has unfortunately forced us to cancel this year’s event,” said Duke Ellingson, RCHS Board President. “We want to ensure we host quality programs, and with the current situation, we did not feel we could do that for this year’s festival.”

In September, members of the RCHS board will begin planning for an expanded and improved 2010 Tallman Art and Music festival. Plans are in the works to make the event an expanded festival, with artists, musicians, food, and beverages. Organizing committee members hope to include student artwork into the event and theme next year. Community members interested in helping with the planning effort are encouraged to contact RCHS board members.

“We have other events planned in support of the Lincoln-Tallman House and RCHS,” added Ellingson. “We are disappointed that we have to cancel the Tallman Art and Music Festival this year, but we are confident that the event will be back, bigger and better than ever in 2010.”

The Rock County Historical Society enriches the communities in Rock County Wisconsin through preservation and dissemination of the unique history and heritage of our area. RCHS operates the Lincoln-Tallman House and the Helen Jeffris Wood Museum Center. Guided tours of the Lincoln-Tallman House begin at the Helen Jeffris Wood Museum Center, and are offered daily June through September.