Archive of: June, 2015

The McLean County Museum of History occupies the old county courthouse in historic downtown Bloomington. The Museum’s photo collections include many fabulous photographs of the old courthouse’s prior life as the center of county government.

Watterson Towers, a 28-story residence hall complex located on the Illinois State University campus, opened in 1969. It houses some 2,200 students and is generally regarded as one of the tallest college dormitories in the world.

Did you know today, June 18, is National Go Fishing Day?

Fishing at Miller Park on Bloomington’s west side has been a time-honored local tradition since the late 1800s. This Depression-era photograph shows the opening of the 1938 fishing season on June 16.

Because of my time spent at the museum, I feel enlightened to the numerous occupations related to history, not just history education. Although I will probably continue to pursue teaching history at the high school level, the stress of questioning the utility of my history degree has all but diminished. I am thankful for what I have gained through the museum: a refreshing perspective, a rewarding feeling, and a fantastic staff of professionals that I can now call my friends.

...my job at the museum has been to organize the Morrell family collection. The Morrell family are longtime residents of McLean County and their belongings do well to help picture Bloomington through the ages.

Every spring the Museum hosts some of the projects created for the Tri-Valley History Fair.

This fascinating photograph is a mystery to Museum staff. The only thing we’re sure about is that it was taken on June 30, 1958.

Local Girl Scouts hoist Old Glory at Forrest Park in south Bloomington in preparation for Flag Day 1948. Running the Stars and Stripes is Mary Jane Anderson, assisted by Joanie Magirl. In the background (left to right) are Karen Figg, Carole Colteaux, and Peggy Bennington. Happy Flag Day from the Museum!

Seen here is Bloomington restaurateur Carl J. Loeseke tending to many of his homing pigeons at his 1103 W. Moulton St. (now MacArthur Ave.) residence on Bloomington’s west side. This photograph dates to mid-June 1938.

This fascinating photograph is a mystery to Museum staff. The only things we’re sure about is that it was taken on June 30, 1958 and that the snake is a Bullsnake (now called Gophersnake). We do not know the who, where, or why.

Although you wouldn’t know it from this past weekend’s weather, the end of May and the beginning of June mark the traditional start of the garden walk season in Bloomington-Normal.

Several pieces of military hardware can be found at Bloomington’s Miller Park, including this World War I-era tank, seen here being offloaded on May 24. 1939.