Events & Programs

Looking for something new to do? Check out our upcoming events and programs. Tune into a livestream, or watch a recording of a past program on our YouTube channel.

Free Admission in Honor of MLK Day
Monday, January 20th
9:00am – 5:00pm

Enjoy free admission to the Museum all day, Monday, January 20, 2025, in honor of MLK Day. We're inviting folks to come in, r...

Closed for Staff Development
Wednesday, January 29th – Thursday, January 30th
9:00pm – 5:00pm

The Museum and its Cruisin with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center & Gift Shop will be closed all day on Wednesday, January 29 AND ...

History Reads Book Club: Abe and Fido
Tuesday, February 4th
7:00pm – 8:00pm

All are welcome to join the Museum and Bloomington Public Library on Tuesday, February 4 at 7:00 p.m. for the first History Reads ...

Online + In Person
History Reads Book Club
Tour de Chocolat 2025
Friday, February 7th
5:00pm – 8:00pm

The Cruisin with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center and McLean County Museum of History are pleased to once again participate in this a...

Lunch & Learn: Oral Histories and the Bloomington-Normal Black History Project w/ Andrew Thomas
Thursday, February 13th
12:10pm – 1:00pm

Bring your lunch and join us to learn about conducting oral histories from the Bloomington-Normal Black History Project on Thursda...

Online + In Person

Plan Your Visit

With five exhibit galleries, a hands on Discovery Room, and four floors of Museum to explore, there's a lot of history to get caught up on. So let's cover the essentials to help you plan your Museum visit. A special thank you to our Presented by Sponsor COUNTRY Financial for supporting free Tuesdays at the Museum during 2025.

Exhibits

Explore the rich history of McLean County in our five permanent exhibits, hands on Discovery Room, and numerous displays. Our online exhibits bring McLean County history to you, wherever you are.

Research

The Museum has thousands of online and on-site resources for researching local history topics and genealogy. These are some of our most popular resources.

Learn

Our educational programs reach thousands of students, seniors, and community members each year.


Become a Member

Want free admission to the Museum every day of the year? Or invitations to special member-only events? Becoming a member is a meaningful contribution to the Museum's mission of preserving local history. Plus, enjoy reciprocal benefits at over 400 museums & historic sites in the U.S. through the Time Travelers Program.

Join us

Become a Volunteer

We provide rewarding opportunities for active volunteers and flexible positions for occasional volunteers too.

Explore opportunities

Cruisin' with Lincoln on Route 66 Visitor's Center

Cruisin' with Lincoln on Route 66 Visitor's Center contains a gift shop and local tourism information. We feature locally produced products, Abraham Lincoln souvenirs, and Route 66 souvenirs. When you visit the Museum, you will enter and exit through the Visitors Center!

Learn more