The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) recently announced the McLean County Museum of History as a national Award of Excellence recipient.
This honor is in recognition of the museum's temporary exhibit, A Deadly Deception: The Asbestos Tragedy in McLean County, sponsored by LiUNA! Midwest Region, Laborers' International Union of North America.
The exhibit, which opened in September 2024, uses the testimonies of workers, internal company documents, and other primary source materials to illuminate the dangers of asbestos and reveal the intentional deceit carried out by the Union Asbestos & Rubber Company (UNARCO) on the west side of Bloomington from 1951 to 1972.
Museum Executive Director Julie Emig says, "This exhibit tells a story larger than just McLean County. It is a universal story of people being sacrificed and forced to endure toxic conditions and environmental hazards, all in the pursuit of profit. It illustrates a national tragedy on a local scale, while educating the public about the dangers of asbestos and honoring our neighbors who lost their lives."
This unique and powerful exhibit is among 54 award recipients this year. Click here to view a complete list of this year's honorees. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards, now in its 80th year, is the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history.
The American Association for State and Local History is a not-for-profit professional organization of individuals and institutions working to preserve and promote history. From its headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, AASLH provides leadership, service, and support for its members who preserve and interpret state and local history to make the past more meaningful to all people. AASLH publishes books, technical publications, a quarterly magazine, and maintains numerous affinity communities and committees serving a broad range of constituents across the historical community. The association also sponsors an annual meeting, regional and national training in-person workshops, and online training.
Co-curators Mike Matejka and Susan Hartzold will go to Cincinnati this September to accept the award on the museum's behalf.
Co-curators Susan Hartzold (left) and Mike Matejka (middle) pose with attorney Jim Walker (left) at the during the 2024 exhibit opening of A Deadly Deception: The Asbestos Tragedy in McLean County. Walker represented several local workers in class action lawsuits against asbestos manufacturers, such as UNARCO. His assistance, which included a large donation of primary source materials, was vital to producing the exhibit.
