The McLean County Museum of History has surpassed its $3 million campaign goal to fund significant improvements including a new permanent exhibit and Museum-wide technology upgrades.Campaign Co-Chair and Board President Carolyn Yockey made the announcement Thursday night during the Museum’s annual meeting and History Makers Gala. The Extending Excellence campaign has secured $3.36 million in pledges. Yockey said that the Museum’s campaign committee has long been confident it would reach its goal. “Three million dollars sounded like a lofty goal when we first launched the campaign, but our early donors made it clear that we have strong support from the community,” Yockey said. “Everyone we’ve approached has understood the need for the campaign and shown enthusiasm for this next chapter in the Museum’s future.”Museum Executive Director Beth Whisman said the campaign has already begun to impact the Museum. “You can see the effect of the capital campaign in and around the Museum,” said Whisman. “The new landscaping is complete on the Museum Square, making the green space more inviting to the public. Inside, two of the five planned new permanent exhibit galleries have already opened. They’re filled with traditional artifact interpretation as well as new digital technology to meet the needs of 21st century learning styles. Our educators are working to develop new programming that incorporates these updated exhibits and new technology.”The Extending Excellence campaign was launched to position the Museum to better connect with new generations and foster meaningful connections to our community’s past. When the campaign was first announced, the Museum outlined four initiatives to meet this challenge: installing a new permanent exhibit, upgrading technology throughout the Museum, expanding the Education Department, and enhancing the surrounding green space. These initiatives will continue to be implemented through 2019. The public can learn more about the campaign’s four main initiatives and how to make a contribution by visiting the website www.mchistory.org/campaign. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit institution founded in 1904 with roots dating back to 1892.Click here to see a video discussing the impact of the campaign so far.