92 posts

November 14th, 2023

Two Pieces of World War II Accessioned into the Museum's Library and Archives

In the last week, the Museum has accessioned two unique pieces of World War II history: a P.O.W. diary and a collection of 16 propaganda posters. On Monday, November 13, 2023, Dianna Dee Damkoehler donated sixteen World War II propaganda posters to the Museum. The Office of War Info...
3 mins read by Micaela Harris

October 30th, 2023

Museum to Reopen Reenvisioned Merwin Gallery

Museum to Reopen Reenvisioned Merwin Gallery, Increase Collections’ AccessibilityContactMicaela Harris, Director of Communications at 309-825-5296 or mharris@mchistory.org For...
3 mins read by Micaela Harris

September 19th, 2023

Celebrating Latinx Heritage Month

In 1968, the Lyndon B. Johnson administration federally established Hispanic Heritage Week. On August 17, 1988, the Ronald Reagan administration expanded and enacted into law Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins on September 15 and ends on October 15.The dates are significant as Se...
2 mins read by Micaela Harris

July 26th, 2023

Museum to Dedicate Historic Marker on Bloomington’s West Side Memorializing the Former Booker T. Washington Home for Colored Children

Contact:Micaela Harris, Museum Director of Communications, at 309-827-0228 ext. 114Norris Porter, Museum Director of Development, at ...
8 mins read by Micaela Harris

July 13th, 2023

Seeds of History

Science and the humanities are often thought of as separate entities and subjects. Still, we at the Museum believe all forms of knowledge are important in understanding and interpreting our world. Seeds of History is an ongoing series of interdisciplinary initiatives working to edu...
3 mins read by Micaela Harris

July 12th, 2023

Historic Markers: Tools in Creating Community History

Monuments and historic markers reflect our values as a community and are tangible and visual markers of the stories we value. They also remind us that history is not exclusively confined to the walls of a museum but exists all around us. History happens everywhere, all the time. Public his...
14 mins read by Micaela Harris

June 13th, 2023

Museum to Immortalize Kickapoo Grand Village with Historic Marker at West Park

Museum to Immortalize Kickapoo Grand Village with Historic Marker at West Park Contact: Norris Porter, Museum Director of Development at 309-827-0428 ext. 104 or nporter@mchis...
6 mins read by Micaela Harris

March 30th, 2023

Guy Fraker -- 2023 History Maker

Central Illinois roots and Abraham Lincoln tugged at Guy Fraker, bringing this Missouri-born, suburban New York City youth to a long-time Bloomington career.Guy’s family had deep roots in central Illinois and the University of Illinois. When Guy was a child, the family visited his grandmot...
5 mins read by Norris Porter

March 30th, 2023

Charles & Willie Halbert -- 2023 History Makers

The Lord's mercies are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.Lamentations 3:23Standing for justice and deep in their faith, Charles and Willie Halbert are community stalwarts to ensure fairness and equality for all. Plus, their generosity has fed multitudes, com...
4 mins read by Norris Porter

March 30th, 2023

Dotti Bushnell -- 2023 History Maker

The rich aroma of spices has followed Dotti Bushnell throughout her life, from her childhood in India to her 47-plus year proprietorship of The Garlic Press in Uptown Normal.Dotti’s parents were Presbyterian missionaries in India, where she grew up surrounded by Indian culture and attended...
4 mins read by Norris Porter

March 30th, 2023

Hank & Mary Campbell -- 2023 History Makers

Habitat houses, formerly incarcerated women welcomed back, student discards re-used, food distributed, children sheltered, and a Kenyan clinic sustained – contributions Hank and Mary Campbell have made and continue to support. These two retired Illinois State University (ISU) professors have neve...
4 mins read by Norris Porter

January 2nd, 2023

Read our 2022 annual report

Check out our 2022 Annual Report below!...
1 mins read by

December 14th, 2022

Quarterly Magazine -- Winter 2022-23

Check out the latest Quarterly Magazine!...
1 mins read by Susan Hartzold

November 29th, 2022

Press Release: Awarded Re-Accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums

McLean County Museum of History in Top 3.3% of the CountryAwarded Re-Accreditation from the American Alliance of MuseumsBLOOMINGTON, IL (11/29/2022) -– The McLean County Museum of History has, once again, received the highest national recognitio...
3 mins read by Jeffery Woodard

October 24th, 2022

Press Release: Executive Director Julie Emig to be out on medical leave through December

Executive Director Julie Emig to be out on medical leave through DecemberBloomington- Executive Director Julie Emig is out on medical leave from the McLean County Museum of History until December. Her prognosis is exceptionally good with a full recovery expected. While Jul...
1 mins read by Jeffery Woodard

September 27th, 2022

Press Release: Museum Reinvests in Preservation of Historic Markers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, September 27, 2022, 1:00 p.m.CONTACT: Norris Porter, Director of Development at nporter@mchistory.org or (309) 827-0428 ext. 104Museum Reinvests in Preservation of Historic Markers,Set...
2 mins read by Jeffery Woodard

September 1st, 2022

Quarterly Magazine -- Fall 2022

Check out our Fall 2022 Quarterly Magazine! ...
1 mins read by Susan Hartzold

August 11th, 2022

Press Release: Breaking Bread in McLean County Continues to Provide Food for Thought

Breaking Bread in McLean County Continues to Provide Food for ThoughtBLOOMINGTON, IL — A partner program of the McLean County Museum of History (MCMH), BN Welcoming, Design Streak at Illinois State University, and Heartland Community College has received two award...
5 mins read by Jeffery Woodard

June 1st, 2022

Quarterly Magazine -- Summer 2022

Check out our latest On the Square Quarterly Magazine!...
1 mins read by Susan Hartzold

March 29th, 2022

2022 History Makers: Deanna Frautschi & Alan Bedell

Deanna Frautschi & Alan Bedell2022 History MakersTwo McLean County residents with working class roots continue to make history as major community and philanthropic leaders. Deanna Frautschi and Alan Bedell both impact many lives with their generous souls, nurtured ...
5 mins read by Norris Porter

March 29th, 2022

2022 History Makers: Myra & George Gordon

“Tikkun Olam,” a phrase in Hebrew meaning to “repair the world,” sums up George and Myra Gordon’s many community contributions, including education, recycling, and planting trees.Their multiple involvements are legend. Between the two, there are almost 60 years of environmental activism, g...
5 mins read by Norris Porter

March 21st, 2022

Press Release: MCMH Wins Community Partnership Award for “Breaking Bread in McLean County”

MCMH Wins Community Partnership Award for “Breaking Bread in McLean County”Bloomington, IL-The McLean County Museum of History (MCMH) received an award for Superior Achievement in Community Partnerships by the Illinois Association for Museums (IAM) in recognition ...
3 mins read by Jeffery Woodard
0 mins read by Susan Hartzold

September 1st, 2021

Treasures Under the Dome -- Part 1

Treasures Under the Dome will be a semi-regular video series that showcases one of the objects, papers, or images in our collections & archives that is not routinely on display at the Museum.Watch on YouTube...
1 mins read by Norris Porter

August 24th, 2021

Two more digitization grants!

The McLean County Museum of History is the recipient of two digitization grants to expand its efforts in making the Pantagraph Negatives Collection more readily available to the public online. The first grant in the a...
2 mins read by Norris Porter

April 15th, 2021

Barbara Stuart -- 2021 History Maker Honoree

Barbara served for several years as president of the Normal Public Library Board and became the first president of the Friends of the Normal Public Library. She founded seven activist organizations: Young Adult Problems Study Group, The Minority Advocacy Council, the Minority Complaints about Pol...
2 mins read by Norris Porter

April 15th, 2021

Robert and Marilyn Sutherland -- 2021 History Maker Honorees

During their over five decades in Bloomington-Normal, Bob and Marilyn Sutherland participated in many ways to help make this a better community for everyone, particularly for those who often cannot make their own voices heard. Bob "has been arrested, investigated, and vilified, but he can�...
2 mins read by Norris Porter

April 15th, 2021

Jerry and Carole Ringer -- 2021 History Maker Honorees

Jerry and Carole’s shared passion for the arts is well-known in the community. Carole says, “(Art) helps to define the quality of life. Even if you are well able to put food on the table, culture is needed for the soul, mind, and spirit.”Carole was a volunteer and ultimately a professional...
2 mins read by Norris Porter

April 16th, 2020

Cemetery Walk Videos Now Online

The McLean County Museum of History has been a strong supporter of the arts and live theater for many years. And in turn, the arts community has reciprocated that strong support of the Museum and our educational programs, helping us bring to life our vibrant and diverse local history through live...
2 mins read by Candace Summers

March 13th, 2020

Museum Closed to the Public

In the interest of the safety of our patrons, volunteers, and staff in light of the developing COVID-19 situation regionally and nationally, the McLean County Museum of History and Cruisin’ with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center will be closed to the public beginning Saturday, March 14. Should condit...
2 mins read by Jeffery Woodard