Events
View our listing of upcoming events and programs. Looking for past events? Find them on our list of past events. To view recordings of past events, or to tune into a livestream, visit our YouTube channel.
Every Saturday at 9:00am
Museum at the Market
Museum at the Farmer's Market presented by Illinois Farm BureauSaturdays on the Museum Square in Downtown Bloomington May thr...
Every Tuesday at 5:00pm
Old Time Music (Jam Session)
Join the Old Time Music group every Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Museum. A laid back and diverse group of musicia...
Closed for Memorial Day
The Museum and its Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center & Gift Shop will be closed for the Memorial Day holiday. W...
Abraham Lincoln’s “Lost Speech” Mural Dedication
Join us to celebrate and dedicate the Lincoln's Lost Speech Mural in downtown Bloomington on the east steps of the Museum on ...
Lunch & Learn: Making Insurance Interesting - Stories from State Farm with Corporate Archivist Buck Farley
Bring your lunch and join us for never before heard stories about State Farm history on Thursday, June 5, from 12:10 to 1:00 p.m. ...
Knit In at The Bistro
Calling ALL Knitters and Crocheters, grab your needles and hooks, some yarn, a friend or two, and come and knit for a bit!The Muse...
2025 History Makers Gala
The 2025 History Makers Gala will take place on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in the Brown Ballroom at Illinois State University’s Bone...
Juneteenth at Bloomington Public Library
Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States, was officially recognized as a fed...
FREE Admission in Honor of Juneteenth
The McLean County Museum of History will offer free admission from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday June 19, 2025 in honor of Juneteen...
Futures in History Day Camp 2025
The Museum's Futures in History Camp is a unique 5-day camp experience for students entering 5th, 6th, and 7th grades who are...
Closed for the Fourth of July
The Museum and its Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center will be closed in observance of the July 4th holiday. We will ...
Futures in History Mini Camp: Discovering Downtown
How much do you really know about historic Downtown Bloomington? Come with us as we explore the culture, history, and humans that ...
Lunch & Learn: Atlanta, Illinois - The Land of the Giants
Bring your lunch and join us to learn about the history of fairs in McLean County on Thursday, July 17, from 12:10 to 1:00 p.m. wi...
Futures in History Mini Camp: Curious Curators
Learn about museums from the professionals at the McLean County Museum of History! Participants will get a behind-the-scenes look ...
PRIDE Fest
The Bistro's seventh annual PRIDE Fest will be on Saturday, July 26, 2025, from 4-10 p.m. around the Museum Square and outsid...
History Reads Book Club: Reasonable Doubt - An Evening with Steve Vogel
The History Reads Book Club and True Crime Book Club are pleased to host an evening talk with Steve Vogel -- author of Reasonable ...
Lunch & Learn: A Fair to Remember - The History of McLean County Fairs
Bring your lunch and join us to learn about the history of fairs in McLean County on Thursday, August 14, from 12:10 to 1:00 p.m. ...
Knit In at the McLean County Arts Center
Calling ALL Knitters and Crocheters, grab your needles and hooks, some yarn, a friend or two, and come and knit for a bit!The thir...
Museum and Visitors Center Closed for Labor Day
The Museum and Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center will be closed in observance of Labor Day. We will reopen on Tuesd...
Lunch & Learn: Embracing the Journey: Understanding the Role of an End-of-Life Doula and the Power of Death Cafes
Bring your lunch and join us to learn about what a End-of-Life doula is and the power of death cafes on Thursday, September 11, fr...
Mourning in McLean: The Story of Death, Grieving, and Funerary Customs in McLean County
Death is one of the only guarantees in life.In early U.S. history, death was a more frequent occurrence, arriving through disease,...
100 Years of COUNTRY Financial: Making a Home in the Twin Cities with Bill Kemp
Join Museum Librarian Bill Kemp for a program celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of COUNTRY Financial. This free pu...
Lunch & Learn: Preserving and Celebrating 100 Years with COUNTRY Financial
Bring your lunch and join us to learn about COUNTRY Financial, who is celebrating their 100th anniversary this year, on Thursday, ...
Free Admission in Honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day
Enjoy free admission all day on Monday, October 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day...
Día de Muertos
Save the date for our annual Día de Muertos Celebration on Saturday, November 1, 2025, tentatively scheduled from 3 to 7 p.m. We a...
History Reads Book Club | Burning of the World: The Great Chicago Fire and the War for a City's Soul
All are welcome to join the Museum and Bloomington Public Library on Tuesday, November 4 at 7:00 p.m. for the final History Reads ...
Knit In at The Hangar Art Co.
Calling ALL Knitters and Crocheters, grab your needles and hooks, some yarn, a friend or two, and come and knit for a bit!The fina...
Free Admission in Honor of Veterans' Day
In honor of Veterans' Day, Museum admission will be free for all from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m....
Lunch & Learn: The Wizard of Oz in Illinois and Beyond
Bring your lunch and join us to learn about the Wizard of Oz's connection to McLean County and Illinois on Thursday, November...
Closed for Thanksgiving
The Museum and its Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving. We will reopen o...
Closed for Christmas
The Museum and its Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center & Gift Shop will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas ...
Closed for New Years
The Museum and its Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center & Gift Shop will be closed all day New Years Eve and New Y...