Event Details

October 3rd at 5:00pm – 8:00pm

McLean County Museum of History

{ "name":"First Friday- First Fright", "description":"

The Museum and its Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center & Gift Shop will be open and FREE Friday, October 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. for the First Friday festivities happening in Downtown Bloomington.

Stop by the Museum to see our latest curated display Mourning in McLean: The Story of Death, Grieving, and Funerary Customs in McLean County. This display will explore perceptions of death, ritualistic practices, and customary expressions of grief in Central Illinois from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century. Mourning in McLean features rarely seen objects and archival material that explore topics such as post-mortem photography, hairwork, monument makers, cemeteries, mourning attire, in displays on three floors of the historic courthouse. From simple rituals to elaborate ceremonies steeped in tradition, intimate family gatherings, and public displays, these acts of remembrance reflect evolving views on death and mourning.

For more information on the Downtown First Friday festivities, please click here.

Questions? Click here to contact us.

", "startDate":"2025-10-03", "endDate":"2025-10-04", "startTime":"05:00", "endTime":"08:00", "location":"200 N Main St. Bloomington IL 61701", "label":"Add to Calendar", "options":[ "Google", "Apple", "iCal", "Outlook.com" ], "timeZone":"America/Chicago", "trigger":"click", "iCalFileName":"Reminder-Event" }

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The Museum and its Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center & Gift Shop will be open and FREE Friday, October 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. for the First Friday festivities happening in Downtown Bloomington.

Stop by the Museum to see our latest curated display Mourning in McLean: The Story of Death, Grieving, and Funerary Customs in McLean County. This display will explore perceptions of death, ritualistic practices, and customary expressions of grief in Central Illinois from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century. Mourning in McLean features rarely seen objects and archival material that explore topics such as post-mortem photography, hairwork, monument makers, cemeteries, mourning attire, in displays on three floors of the historic courthouse. From simple rituals to elaborate ceremonies steeped in tradition, intimate family gatherings, and public displays, these acts of remembrance reflect evolving views on death and mourning.

For more information on the Downtown First Friday festivities, please click here.

Questions? Click here to contact us.