In a historic home in Rock Island, one woman has been quietly rescuing stories from our shared past.
A retired pharmacist, Linda Anderson had already made a lasting impact on her community before quietly beginning a remarkable second chapter as a historian.
Born in Northwest Iowa and educated at the University of Iowa, she later moved across the country with her husband, living in places like Virginia and Kentucky. As they moved around, Linda enjoyed learning about the areas where she lived.
“I enjoy that part of history. Not so much the history of wars,” Linda adds with a wry smile. Her focus on people, places, and everyday life is what makes Linda’s work so distinctive, and so deeply meaningful.
More than two decades ago, Linda and her husband made the Quad Cities their permanent home. It didn’t take long before she became fascinated with the stories all around her, starting with their own historic house in one of Rock Island’s preserved districts. That initial research sparked a passion that’s never slowed.
Linda’s Many Hats: Researcher, Archivist, Docent, and More
Linda’s contributions to local historical preservation are extensive, to put it mildly! She has served on the boards of both the Rock Island Preservation Society (RIPS) and the Rock Island County Historical Society (RICHS), where she currently serves as 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.
Linda learned about QC PastPort from a speech Natalie Linville-Mass gave at a consortium event. She approached Natalie afterwards with interest in getting involved, becoming one of the first team members. Over the following months and years, Linda helped shape the foundational stories of QC PastPort. Her deep dives into archives, property records, and forgotten publications have resurrected neglected and forgotten histories, plucking them from obscurity and making them accessible for current and future generations.
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. Linda doesn’t just uncover facts, through her writing, she brings history to life and reminds us why it matters.
Yet for all her public impact, those who know Linda will tell you her greatest strengths are personal: her kindness, humility, and quiet tenacity. More than a team member, Linda has been a supportive colleague and true friend to all of us at QC PastPort. While we’ll deeply miss her presence on the team, we celebrate her lasting contributions and wish her all the best in this well-earned next chapter.
Does Linda’s work speak to you?
We invite you to leave a message on her Fondfolio page, a website which collects visitors’ thoughts on our honoree, similar to a vintage Internet guestbook. Linda Anderson’s tireless dedication ensures the stories of our community will never fade into obscurity. Now, let’s come together to celebrate her by creating a new archive for Linda to explore; one filled with gratitude and appreciation.