ruth linear
Archivist and Co-Founder of the Jacksonville African American History Museum
Born: December 11, 1940 (Hannibal, MO)
Profession: Archivist, Historian, Community Advocate
Known For: Co-founder and archivist of JAAHM
Affiliations: NAACP; Illinois Schools
SUMMARY
Ruth Linear is a Jacksonville, Illinois historian, archivist, and community leader known for her extensive work preserving African American history in the region. As a co-founder and archivist of the Jacksonville African American History Museum, she has played a central role in researching, documenting, and sharing the stories that define the city’s Black history.
2008
Posthumous recognition by medical society
1940
Hospital reached peak scale and regional impact
1933
Moved to Springfield; founded newspaper
1922
Hospital reached peak scale and regional impact
1909
Opened New Home Sanitarium
1897 - 1902
Served at Tuskegee Institute
1875
Born in Shorter, Alabama
1940
Born in hannibal, missouri
1963
moved to jacksonville, illinois
CAREER YEARS
WORKED IN EDUCATION AND STATE INSTITUTIONS
CIRCA 2000
Began regular public
Black history programs
2005
RETIRED FROM ILLINOIS SCHOOLS
2016
received naacp community
service award
2021-2022
co-founded AND OPENED jacksonville african american history museum
Early Life and Career
Ruth Linear moved to Jacksonville, Illinois in 1963 from Hannibal, Missouri. She built her career in public service, working with Jacksonville School District 117 before continuing her work with the Illinois School for the Deaf and the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired.
Her professional background reflects a lifelong commitment to education, accessibility, and community support.
Dedication to History and Archival Work
Linear’s interest in history began with her own family. By collecting photographs and preserving records of relatives, she developed a passion for genealogy that eventually expanded into a broader focus on African American history in Jacksonville.
Over time, she became one of the leading local researchers documenting Black history in the area. Her work includes uncovering previously unknown historical details, such as decades of overlooked records related to Mount Emory Baptist Church, including early members, pastoral leadership, and corrected timelines.
Founding of the Jacksonville African American History Museum
Ruth Linear is recognized as a co-founder of the Jacksonville African American History Museum, working alongside Arthur “Art” Wilson to establish the institution.
As the museum’s archivist and Executive Founding Director, she has been instrumental in building its collection, contributing artifacts, historical records, and research that form the core of its exhibits.
Her work ensures that local stories—many of which were previously undocumented—are preserved and made accessible to the public.
Community Leadership and Education
Linear has been deeply involved in community service and education throughout Jacksonville. She has served on the City of Jacksonville Commission on Disabilities and Human Relations and has been an active member of the NAACP, including serving as vice president.
Recognition and Legacy
In 2016, Ruth Linear received a community service award from the NAACP in recognition of her educational programs and dedication to preserving African American history.
Her work has helped reshape the understanding of Jacksonville’s past, ensuring that African American experiences are documented, recognized, and shared with future generations.
DISCLAIMER
This entry is based on publicly available records, community accounts, and local reporting. As a living historian, Ruth Linear’s contributions continue to evolve through ongoing research and community involvement.
