Linda has been a partner of QC PastPort since the beginning. She’s a retired pharmacist who found a second career as a local historian. It began with a love of history, shared with her husband, who was a librarian. Linda began volunteering with preservation and historical organizations in the Quad Cities, and quickly became known as a stellar historical researcher and writer.
Her contributions to local historical preservation are extensive. She has served as President of the Rock Island County Historical Society and currently acts as its Secretary. At the historic Hauberg Estate, she’s a docent, guiding visitors through the Hauberg Mansion and Gardens and sharing the cultural and architectural legacy of this community treasure.
When Natalie Linville-Mass began QC PastPort to preserve the history of the Quad Cities, Linda was one of the first people she recruited to join the QC PastPort team. If you’ve ever stopped to read a QC PastPort sign around the Quad Cities, you’ve seen Linda’s work in action. Her efforts illuminate everything from the heritage of the Sauk and Meskwaki people to the wartime housing built for Arsenal workers during WWI. But Linda not only uncovers facts through her writing, she brings history to life and reminds us why it matters.
No one gets into preservation and recording local history for fame and fortune. It’s an endeavor taken on by those who are passionate about preserving the stories and places that make up our local communities. Linda’s work with QC PastPort, and her ongoing support, are a testament to her love of history and the Quad Cities community.
It’s an understatement to say QC PastPort would not be the success it’s been without Linda Anderson.