About OUR MARINA

Captain John P. Cromwell was born in Henry, Illinois.  Each year, Henry celebrates the anniversary of Cromwell's birth to honor their local hero.  John P. Cromwell was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions "above and beyond the call of duty" during World War II.  Cromwell chose to sacrifice his own life to safeguard the lives of others in combat that took place in November 1943. 

Charles and Edna Perdew of Henry, Illinois combined their talents to become famous folk artists in Central Illinois and throughout the rest of the United States. They produced thousands of examples of painted wildfowl sculptures. These decoys were originally purchased by hunters to attract ducks, geese, and crows to within shooting range.

Charlie was born near Henry in 1874 and was a hunter and carver of decoys. Edna was born in 1882 in Henry and their marriage in 1902 formed an artistic partnership that lasted almost sixty years. For much of that time, Charlie carved and Edna painted from their home and workshop in Henry. Charlie Perdew died in 1963 and Edna survived him until 1974.