Past Events
To view recordings of past events visit our YouTube channel.
Rivian: Bloomington's Battery-Powered 'Car of Tomorrow'
Long before the emergence of Rivian Automotive, the Twin Cities was center stage for another battery-powered vehicle — the gone-bu...
DAR America 250 American Revolutionary War Marker Dedication & Reception
Join the Letitia Green Stevenson Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution for a dedication of a new hi...
Navegando una Nueva Comunidad: Recent Immigrant Arrivals in the Bloomington-Normal Community
Kick off Latino Heritage Month at the Museum with a panel discussion focusing on stories of recent migration to McLean County. Thi...
Lunch & Learn: Arcadia - America's Playable Arcade Museum
Bring your lunch and join us to learn about Arcadia: America's Playable Arcade Museum, located along historic Route 66, on Th...
Evergreen Cemetery Walk Tickets On Sale
Ticket sales for the 30th and Final Evergreen Cemetery Walk begin on September 10, 2024.There are eight opportunities to participa...
Asbestos Exhibit Opening
The Museum, with financial support from LiUNA! Midwest Region Laborer's International Union of North America, is proud to pre...
Bent Elementary School 100 Year Celebration
Celebrate 100 years of Bent Elementary on Saturday, September 7 from 4pm - 6pm at Bent. Stop by anytime.Building tours. Historical...
Unity Community Garden Tour Day - Ginger, Cover Crops, Vegetable Tips and More!
Tour of Unity Community Center Food Production and Demonstration GardenAs part of the Museum's Seeds of History initiative, t...
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...
In the Spotlight: Antoinette Concello presented by Maureen Brunsdale
Join us on Saturday, August 10, at 2 p.m. to learn about Antoinette Concello, a local circus legend often referred to as "the...
McLean County Ag History Bus Tour
The Museum, in partnership with the McLean County Farm Bureau, is excited to offer an Ag-mazing Bus Tour narrated by Librarian Bil...
History Reads Book Club: Cahokia- Ancient America's Great City on the Mississippi
All are welcome to join the Museum and Bloomington Public Library on Tuesday, August 6 at 7:00 p.m. for the third installment of t...
Knit In at Illinois Art Station
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...
PRIDE Fest
The Bistro's sixth annual PRIDE Fest will be on Saturday, August 3, 2024, from 4-10 p.m. around the Museum Square and outside...
Museum Closed for Staff Development Day
The Museum and its Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center & Gift Shop closes for a day once every quarter to hold st...
Futures in History: Curious Curators
Learn about museums from the professionals at the McLean County Museum of History! On day one, participants will get a behind the ...
Futures in History: Adventures in Archaeology
Come get your hands dirty and dig up some fun! During this Mini-Camp, participants will spend their first day learning about archa...
A History of the Evergreen Cemetery Walk with Candace Summers
Discover the fascinating history of the Evergreen Cemetery Walk, a view into our local past presented for 30 years by McLean Count...
First Friday: Get Your Kicks on Route 66
Head down to the Museum Square in historic Downtown Bloomington to get your kicks on Route 66 this weekend!On Friday, July 5, from...
Back 2 School Supply Drive
Now through August 3, the Museum will be participating in the Back 2 School Alliance School Supply Drive to help collect school su...
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 ...
Route History 66 Virtual Reality Tour Comes to Bloomington
The Bloomington Normal Black History Project in partnership with Route History of Springfield will present to the community a Virt...
Futures in History Camp 2024
Futures in History Camp 2024 is coming! This 5-day camp experience includes facilitation by Museum staff and other experts, all ma...
Narrative Threads: Community Quilting with Illinois Art Station and Community Partners
Five years ago, in May 2019, Illinois Art Station embarked on a community quilt project to celebrate and commemorate the threads o...
Bloomington-Normal Juneteenth Celebration at Miller Park
Join the Bloomington-Normal Black History Project and the City of Bloomington for a fun-filled day as we celebrate the Juneteenth ...
Funks Grove 200th Celebration at Funk Prairie Home Museum
Join the Funk Prairie Home and Gem and Mineral Museum as we commemorate the 200th anniversary of the settling of Funks Grove in 18...
Free Admission in Honor of Juneteenth
In honor of Juneteenth, the McLean County Museum of History will offer free admission from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19,...
Closing Early at 3 PM for the History Makers Gala
The Museum and its Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center & Gift Shop will close at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2024...
2024 History Makers Gala
Each year, the History Makers Gala recognizes long-standing residents whose outstanding, life-long contributions of time and talen...
Narrative Threads: Community Quilting with Illinois Art Station and Community Partners
Five years ago, in May 2019, Illinois Art Station embarked on a community quilt project to celebrate and commemorate the threads o...
Guided Social Justice Walking Tour
The McLean County Museum of History is offering a Social Justice Walking Tour on Monday, June 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. to explore local ...
Museum and Visitors Center Closed for Memorial Day
The Museum and Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center will be closed for the Memorial Day holiday. We will reopen on Tue...
Narrative Threads: Community Quilting with Illinois Art Station and Community Partners
Five years ago, in May 2019, Illinois Art Station embarked on a community quilt project to celebrate and commemorate the threads o...
Narrative Threads: Community Quilting with Illinois Art Station and Community Partners
Five years ago, in May 2019, Illinois Art Station embarked on a community quilt project to celebrate and commemorate the threads o...
Evergreen Cemetery Walk Auditions
The Museum, Illinois Voices Theatre Echoes, and Evergreen Memorial Cemetery are pleased to announce the dates for auditions for th...
Evergreen Cemetery Walk Auditions
The Museum, Illinois Voices Theatre Echoes, and Evergreen Memorial Cemetery are pleased to announce the dates for auditions for th...
Knit In at Bloomington Public Library
Calling ALL Knitters and Crocheters, grab your needles and hooks, some yarn, a friend or two, and come and knit for a bit!The seco...
Lunch and Learn: All About Wind Turbines with Meghan Reha
Renewable energy expert Meghan Reha (she/her) will introduce some of the wind turbines that produce electricity around McLean Coun...
History Reads Book Club: The Woman They Could Not Silence
All are welcome to join the Museum and Bloomington Public Library on Tuesday, May 7, at 7:00 p.m. for the second installment of th...
2024 Red Carpet Corridor Festival
Downtown Bloomington is the place to be this weekend. Kick off the travel season with the Red Carpet Corridor Festival at the McLe...
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...
Sembrando Raíces: Oral Histories of Latinos in Central Illinois
Join us in hearing from ISU seniors in Dr. Maura Toro-Morn's sociology capstone class who have conducted oral history intervi...
A Black Woman’s Journey from Cotton Picking to College Professor: Lessons about Race, Class, and Gender in the United States with Author Dr. Menah Pratt Clarke
A Black Woman's Journey from Cotton Picking to College Professor: Lessons about Race, Class, and Gender in America by Dr. Men...
2024 Futures in History Camp Registration Begins
Futures in History Camp 2024 is coming! This 5-day camp experience includes facilitation by Museum staff and other experts, all ma...
Josh Henderson's "One More Night" presented by pt.fwd
The Museum, in partnership with pt.fwd, is excited to host composer and musician Josh Henderson for his "One More Night"...
Sweet Greeks: First-Generation Immigrant Confectioners in the Heartland with Author Ann Flesor Beck
The Museum is pleased to host Dr. Ann Flesor Beck for a program exploring the history of the first generation of Greeks coming to ...
NPL Young Author's Poster Display
The Museum, in partnership with Normal Public Library, is pleased to host the student winners of the Unit 5 Young Authors contest....
Holi Moli - A Festival of Color
NCHS' South Asian Performing Arts Students are proud to present: A Festival of Colors: Holi Moli!Every spring, the Indian sub...
2024 Slow Art Day on Route 66
Founded in 2010, Slow Art Day is an annual global event that aims to help more people discover the joy of looking at and appreciat...
Lunch & Learn: Creating a Sensory Garden with U of I Extension Brittnay Haag
Bring your lunch and join us to learn about sensory gardens with U of I Extension educator Brittnay Haag on Thursday, April 11, 20...
Wet or Dry? Prohibition in McLean County at Cheney's Grove Township Library
Join Candace Summers, Senior Director of Education at the McLean County Museum of History, for an illustrated program about Prohib...
"Connect the Dots" with Autism McLean at the Museum
Kick-off Autism Awareness Month with this Autism Friendly Community "Connect the Dots" Event hosted at the Museum by Aut...
Museum Closed for Staff Development Day
The Museum and its Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center & Gift Shop closes for a day once every quarter to hold st...
2024 History Makers Honoree Reveal
Join us on Wednesday, March 27 at 11 a.m. in the Museum's Courtroom, or live online via the Museum's YouTube Channel as ...
50 Years of Women's Rights: an Interactive and Intergenerational Exploration
The Museum and League of Women Voters of McLean County are excited to welcome folks of all ages to join us on Saturday, March 23, ...
Electric Vehicles Town Hall presented by the EVTown Steering Committee and the MCLP Electrifiers
The Museum is excited to host a town hall meeting on electric vehicles, organized and presented by the EVTown Steering Committee a...
Lunch and Learn: "The Greening of the Prairie", Irish Immigration into the upper Midwest with Greg Koos
Bring your lunch and join us to learn more about the history of Irish immigration in the Midwest from the Museum's Executive ...
Women's History Month
Discover Local Women's History at the McLean County Museum of History! The Museum's latest Rotunda Installation will be ...
To Be a Writer, One Must Be a Reader: The Life and Work of Clara Louise Kessler at Cheney's Grove Township Library
Clara Louise Kessler was an author, a teacher, and a librarian who had a lifelong interest in books, poetry, songs, and children. ...
Growing Up Gen X with Erica Holst
Join us online and in person on Saturday, February 24, at 2 p.m. to explore what it meant to grow up as "Gen X" with the...
Crafting History: Fun with Fragrance
Join us for Crafting History: Fun with Fragrance on Tuesday, February 20, at 6 p.m. to create your own solid perfume and learn mor...
Knit In at Normal Public Library
Calling ALL Knitters and Crocheters, grab your needles and hooks, some yarn, a friend or two, and come and knit for a bit!The firs...
The Bloomington-Normal Black History Project Presents: A Reunion: Neighbors, Friends and Musicians
The Bloomington- Normal Black History Project Presents:A Reunion: Neighbors, Friends and MusiciansPanel II Saturday February 17 ...
Museum Closed for Staff Development Day
The Museum and its Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center & Gift Shop closes for a day once every quarter to hold st...
The Bloomington-Normal Black History Project Presents: A Reunion: The Booker T. Washington Home
The Bloomington- Normal Black History Project Presents:A Reunion: Neighbors, Friends and MusiciansPanel I Saturday, February 10 ...
Lunch & Learn: Game Development with Ben Rosset and Jamie Mathy
Learn about the ongoing board game renaissance with local game designer Ben Rosset and owner of Red Racoon Games, Jamie Mathy, on ...
History Reads Book Club: "Mary Jane's Ghost: The Legacy of a Murder in Small Town America" by Ted Gregory
We're kicking off the 2024 History Reads Book Club season with a special, joint meeting with the True Crime Book Club to disc...
Tour de Chocolat
Stop by the Museum anytime from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, February 2, to enjoy samplings of local chocolate and learn more about the his...
MLK Day Free Admission to the Museum
Enjoy free admission all day on the MLK Day Holiday Monday, January 15th. We invite to reflect and learn about our local history.C...
Lunch & Learn: Bloomington's Streetcar Era with Librarian Bill Kemp
Did you know trolley cars plied the streets of the Twin Cities from the years after the Civil War into the Great Depression? Prior...
Crafting History: Embroidering Festive Felt Ornaments
Join us for Crafting History: Embroidering Festive Felt Ornaments on Tuesday, December 19, at 6 p.m. to embroider your own felt or...
Lunch & Learn: Relocating the Nativity in Song and Celebration with Adriana Ponce
Bring your lunch and head over to the Museum (or to youtube.com/@mchistorymuseum) to learn from Illinois Wesleyan professor of Mus...
Christmas Under the Dome: Saturday Celebration
Join the Museum on Friday AND Saturday for free, festive fun during Christmas Under the Dome!Friday, December 1, we'll be ope...
First Friday: Christmas Under the Dome
Join the Museum on Friday AND Saturday for free, festive fun during Christmas Under the Dome!Friday, December 1, we'll be ope...
Knit In at the Museum
We are back in person! We will be holding the final Knit In of 2023 at the Museum on Saturday, November 18 from 10:00 a.m. until 1...
Internationalism and the Twin Cities: The Work of Architect A. Richard Williams
The Old House Society will be hosting the Museum's Librarian, Bill Kemp, for a program on the architecture of A. Richard Will...
No Crybabies Allowed: Book Reading and Signing with Terri Ryburn
The Museum is pleased to welcome author Terri Ryburn, who will do a reading and signing of her book No Crybabies Allowed: The Past...
Claire Rousay in Concert featuring Emily How Presented by pt.fwd
Claire Rousay is based in Los Angeles. Her music zeroes in on personal emotions and the minutiae of everyday life -- voicemails, h...
Lunch and Learn: The Art of the Rug with Hossein Nateghpour
Bring your lunch and head over to the Museum (or to youtube.com/@mchistorymuseum) to learn from Hossein Nateghpour, owner of Pars ...
History Reads Book Club: When Women Played Hardball
All are welcome to join the Museum and Bloomington Public Library on Wednesday, November 8, at 7:00 p.m. for the final installment...
Virtual Evergreen Cemetery Walk
The Museum, in partnership with Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Broadleaf Media, and Illinois Voices Theatre Echoes, is thrilled to o...
Merwin Gallery Reopening Reception
Join us to celebrate the reopening of the Merwin Gallery on Friday, November 3, 2023 from 5-8 p.m. during the the 23rd Annual Art ...
Unconquerable: The Kickapoo of Central Illinois
The Kickapoo, a fiercely independent people, inhabited this stretch of Central Illinois when the first Euro-American settlers arri...
Día de Muertos Celebration
Celebrate Día de Muertos with us on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, from 4-7 p.m. All ages are welcome to this free event featuring l...
Member Appreciation Month
Members make our mission a reality. To express our gratitude, we are offering a month filled with member-exclusive events, discoun...
Untold African American Stories: Springfield's Lincoln Colored Home
A seemingly ordinary vacant brick building with shuttered windows sits on South 12th Street in Springfield. This building once ser...
Downtown Trick or Treat
Spooky season is upon us, and the Museum is excited to once again participate in the annual Downtown Bloomington Trick or Treat! B...
CLOSED -- Staff Development Day
We are closed to the public today for a Staff Development Day. We apologize for any inconvenience. We will reopen Friday, October ...
The Lincoln Miracle: An Evening with Ed Achorn
The Museum is pleased to welcome back Edward Achorn, author and Pulitzer Prize finalist for Commentary, for a hybrid program on hi...
Route 66 Miles of Possibility Conference
The Miles of Possibility organization will kick off their eighth annual Route 66 Conference scheduled for Bloomington-Normal Octob...
Crafting History: Practicing Pinch Pots
Join the Museum for our fourth installment in the Crafting History series to learn about the history of ceramic crafts and make a ...
Historic Marker Dedication for the Old Soldier's Monument in Briarwood Subdivision
Join us to dedicate a new descriptive marker at the site of a previously unmarked Civil War memorial remnant in Bloomington's...
Light up the Museum Square for Latinx Heritage Month
Head down to the Museum Square to check out our light display in honor of Latinx Heritage Month, starting at dusk on Friday, Octob...
Lincoln in 1859: Testing the Waters and Advancing the Cause with Guy Fraker
Grab your lunch and head to the Museum for our next Lunch & Learn with local author and historian Guy Fraker. Fraker will pres...
The State of Hate
This program will feature the Anti-Defamation League Midwest Associate Regional Director Trent Spoolstra, who will discuss the lat...
Evergreen Cemetery Walk
The 2023 Evergreen Cemetery Walk will be held in-person on September 30 and October 1, and October 7-8 with performances at 11:00...
Evergreen Cemetery Walk
The 2023 Evergreen Cemetery Walk will be held in-person on September 30 and October 1, and October 7-8 with performances at 11:00...
Evergreen Cemetery Walk
The 2023 Evergreen Cemetery Walk will be held in-person on September 30 and October 1, and October 7-8 with performances at 11:00...
Museum at the Market
Join us at the Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market. Stop by the Museum’s plaza on Washington Street to purchase all your local hi...
Evergreen Cemetery Walk
The 2023 Evergreen Cemetery Walk will be held in-person on September 30 and October 1, and October 7-8 with performances at 11:00...
Museum at the Market
Join us at the Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market. Stop by the Museum’s plaza on Washington Street to purchase all your local hi...
Ballists, Dead Beats, and Muffins: Inside Early Baseball in Illinois
Join us to explore baseball's growth post-Civil War and Central Illinois' unique contributions to the early game at 1:30...
Lunch & Learn: Introducing the 2023 Evergreen Cemetery Walk
Join the McLean County Museum of History for the first Lunch & Learn of the 2023-2024 season with the Museum's Senior Dir...
The Politics of Labels: Latino, Latinx, Hispanic, and What Else; The view from the Heartland
The Museum is excited to host another installment of "The Politics of Labels: Latino, Latinx, Hispanic, and What Else" p...
Evergreen Cemetery Walk Tickets On Sale
Ticket sales for the 2023 Evergreen Cemetery Walk are now on sale. Tickets can be purchased in-person at the Museum or Evergreen M...
Museum closed for Labor Day holiday
The Museum will reopen on Tuesday, September 5 at 9:00 a.m....
Museum at the Market
Join us at the Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market. Stop by the Museum’s plaza on Washington Street to purchase all your local hi...
Lacto-Fermentation 101: DIY Kimchi with the University of Illinois Extension -REGISTRATION CLOSED!
Using cabbage grown in the Museum's "Seeds of History" Victory Garden at the Westside Community Gardens, educators ...
Crafting History: Wonders of Weaving
Join us again for Crafting History on August 23 at 6 PM! We'll have our expert historic crafter and Curator of Collections, J...
Museum at the Illinois State Fair
What’s better than cattle shows, corn dogs, giant slides, and cows made completely out of butter? All of those things plus fun and...
Museum at the Market
Join us at the Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market. Stop by the Museum’s plaza on Washington Street to purchase all your local hi...
Museum Closed for Staff Development Day
The Museum will reopen on Friday, August 18 at 9:00 a.m....
Bloomington Stars Took Flight at the YMCA marker unveiling
The Bloomington Stars Take Flight, in collaboration with the McLean County Museum of History, Milner Library at Illinois State Uni...
Museum at the Market
Join us at the Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market. Stop by the Museum’s plaza on Washington Street to purchase all your local hi...
Marker Dedication: Booker T. Washington Home
The McLean County Museum of History, in collaboration with the City of Bloomington and the Illinois State The McLean County Museum...
History Reads Book Club: Wreck of the Columbia
All avid readers are welcome to join the Museum and Bloomington Public Library on Tuesday, August 1 at 7:00 p.m. for the third ins...
PRIDE Fest
The Bistro's fifth annual PRIDE Fest will be on Saturday, July 29, 2023, from 4-10 p.m. around the Museum Square and outside ...
Light up the Museum Square for PRIDE Fest
Head down to the Museum Square to check out our rainbow light display for Bloomington's PRIDE Fest, starting at dusk on Frida...
Museum at the Market
Join us at the Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market. Stop by the Museum’s plaza on Washington Street to purchase all your local hi...
Historic Marker Dedication: Simon Malone & Normal's First African American Residents
The McLean County Museum of History will dedicate a new historical marker created to share the story of Normal's early Africa...
The ISU Quad: Gateway to the Wider World
SOLD OUT! We have started a waiting list for this tour in case of any last minute cancellations. If you would like to be added to ...
Futures in History Day Camp Session 2
This out-of-this-world, 5-day camp experience includes facilitation by Museum staff and other experts, all materials needed for ha...
Route 66 Art Trail Scavenger Hunt
Visit the Museum, other Downtown Bloomington businesses, art galleries, and studio spaces to get your Route 66 kicks during the Ju...
Museum Closed for Fourth of July
The Museum and its Crusin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors' Center will be closed in observance of Independence Day on July ...
Museum at the Market
Join us at the Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market. Stop by the Museum’s plaza on Washington Street to purchase all your local hi...
Back 2 School Supply Drive
Back 2 School Supply Drive – We Need your Help!Now through August 4, the Museum will be participating in the Back 2 School Allianc...
Crafting History: Dyeing with Dinner Scraps
Our next Crafting History will be on June 28th at 6pm. Crafting History: Dyeing with Dinner Scraps will bring the process of solar...
Kickapoo Marker Dedication
The McLean County Museum of History, in partnership with the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas, Illinois State Historical Society, and McLe...
2023 History Makers Gala
Join us in celebrating the legacies of our 2023 History Makers (Dotti Bushnell, Mary & Hank Campbell, Willie and Charles Halbe...
Museum at the Market
Join us at the Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market. Stop by the Museum’s plaza on Washington Street to purchase all your local hi...
Juneteenth Community Celebration
Please join us for a day of celebration, information & inspiration during this year'sJuneteenth Celebration - Featuring E...
Spoken Word: An Evening with Shatriya Smith - Poet Laureate of Springfield
In recognition of Juneteenth, the Coalescence Theatre Project and the Bloomington-Normal Black History Project, an affiliate organ...
Futures in History Day Camp Session 1
This out-of-this-world, 5-day camp experience includes facilitation by Museum staff and other experts, all materials needed for ha...
Museum at the Market
Join us at the Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market. Stop by the Museum’s plaza on Washington Street to purchase all your local hi...
Pride in the Park
Join the Museum and our community partners, Bloomington Public Library and Normal Public Library, at the Franklin Park Bookmobile ...
Guided Social Justice Walking Tour
The Museum is proud to launch its new Social Justice Walking Tour website in partnership with Not In Our Town (NIOT), thanks to a ...
PRIDE Flag Display
The month of June has long been LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in honor of the Stonewall riots, which took place in New York City in June 19...
Museum Closed for Memorial Day
The Museum and its Route 66 Crusin' with Lincoln Visitors' Center and Gift Shop will be closed in observance of Memorial...
History of Beer in Bloomington
Have you ever wondered how the beer scene in Bloomington, Illinois came to be? Could there be a juicy story tucked in there somewh...
Zoom: Lunch & Learn: Combating High Energy Costs with Energy Efficiency and Solar
Join the McLean County Museum of History and Illinois Wesleyan University for the final Lunch & Learn of the 2022-2023 season ...
2023 Evergreen Cemetery Walk Auditions
Announcing auditions for the 2023 Evergreen Cemetery Walk! Auditions will be held on Tuesday, May 9 from 6:00pm until 8:00 pm at F...
Open Sunday - Special Museum Hours
The Museum and its Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors' Center and Gift Shop will be open from 10 AM to 2 PM on Sunday,...
Knit In at Illinois Art Station
We are back in person! We will be holding the second Knit In of 2023 at Illinois Art Station on Saturday, May 6 from 10:00 a.m. un...
Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival
There’s no better way to spend a May afternoon than with savory barbeque, delicious drinks and live music in Downtown Bloomington....
Museum at the Market
Every Saturday May through October 9:00 to 12:00 p.m. Museum at the Market The Museum opens at 8:30 a.m. to all visitors, with FRE...
History Reads Book Club: Sweet Greeks: First-Generation Immigrant Confectioners in the Heartland
All avid readers are welcome to join the Museum and Bloomington Public Library on Tuesday, May 2 at 7:00 p.m. for the second insta...
Futures in History Day Camp Registration Opens
This out-of-this-world, 5-day camp experience includes facilitation by Museum staff and other experts, all materials needed for ha...
An afternoon with Angela Jackson
In recognition of National Library Week, the Museum, in partnership with Normal Public Library and Illinois Humanities, are please...
Visit the Buseum on Museum Square!
A group of German students are bringing their innovative mobile exhibit about climate change to Downtown Bloomington on the Museum...
Sembrando Raíces: Oral Histories of Latinos in Central Illinois
This two-day conference, on April 21st and 22nd, is being organized and supported by Illinois State University's Department o...
Museum Closed for Staff Development Day
The Museum will reopen on Friday, April 21 at 9:00 a.m....
Crafting History: Remembering Rag Rugs
Join the McLean County Museum of History and the McLean County Arts Center for the first installment of Crafting History: Remember...
pt.fwd presents NCHS Experimental Ensemble
On Saturday, April 15 at 7:00 p.m., the Museum, is pleased to once again host the Normal Community High School Experimental Ensemb...
Slow Art Day on Route 66
The Museum is excited to join 15 other local arts organizations in celebrating Slow Art Day on April 15th from 10 am to 2 pm. We w...
Lunch & Learn: Quirky Sites in Illinois
Join the McLean County Museum of History and Illinois Wesleyan University for the eighth Lunch & Learn of the 2023 season with...
ACLU presents: Civil Liberties in the 19th century McLean County with Greg Koos
Greg Koos, AuthorExecutive Director EmeritusMcLean County Museum of HistoryKoos will review the story of the diverse peoples and e...
Holi Moli!
HOLI MOLI!! Come to NCHS South Asian Performing Arts club's first community-wide Holi celebration, honoring the changing of s...
Eggs on the Square
Eggs on the Square is free community-wide Easter event for all ages!The Easter egg hunts will take place between 9:15–10:15 AM on ...
YWCA Sexual Assault Awareness Month Clothesline Project
The McLean County Museum of History is honored to once again partner with YWCA’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month for the 2023 Cloth...
Autism Friendly Community Event
WHERE: McLean County Museum of HistoryWHEN: 3-5 pmWHO: At least 150 of you who would like to help us recreate our logo andcelebrat...
Light up the Museum Square for Autism Awareness
The Museum is pleased to partner with Autism McLean to light up the Museum Square for Autism Awareness Month. Autism McLean was es...
2023 History Makers -- Honoree Reveal
The McLean County Museum of History will reveal the names of six recipients of the 2023 History Makers award at a press conference...
My Museum with Bloomington Public Library
The McLean County Museum of History is partnering with the Bloomington Public Library to present My Museum, a program which aims t...
Family Heirloom Recipes from the Illinois State Fair
The Museum and Bloomington Public Library are pleased to host Catherine Lambrecht, program director for the Highland Park Historic...
Zoom - MCGS hosts Debra Dudek for " Researching your Irish Ancestors Online"
Please join the McLean County Historical Society (MCGS) for an informative discussion with Debra Dukdek, author of World War I -Ge...
pt.fwd presents Jeremy Young
The Museum is please to host another sound artist as part of pt.fwd's fifth season! Jeremy Young is a maker of electroacousti...
Pins and Needles: A Fiber Arts Celebration with Normal and Bloomington Public Libraries
Are you a needlework novice thinking about a new hobby? Or a seasoned crafter looking for some new techniques? Explore the wide wo...
NONOpera- L's GA: Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
The Museum is pleased to host NONopera for a performance featuring original compositions by regional artists that offers a new per...
Knit In at Normal Public Library
We are back in person! We will be holding the first Knit In of 2023 at Normal Public Library on Saturday, February 25 from 10:00 a...
Echoes of Purple and Gold with Jack Keefe
Join the McLean County Museum of History and Bloomington bread author Jack Keefe for a brief presentation, Q&A, and book signi...
Being Innovative in Bloomington-Normal w/ Jamie Mathy and Kevin McCarthy
Join the McLean County Museum of History for the second Lunch & Learn of 2023 with Jamie Mathy and Kevin McCarthy on February ...
Tour de Chocolat 2023
The Cruisin with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center and McLean County Museum of History are pleased to once again participate in this a...
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...
Lunch and Learn - Trees: the EAC's Tree Corps Ecology Action Center Initiative as a Public Health and Economic Development Strategy
Thursday, January 12, 2023
12:10 PM
Ecosystem Services From Michael Brown, Executive Director
Trees: the EAC's Tree Corps Ecology Action Center Initiative as a Public Health and Economic Development Strategy
EAC Executive Director Michael Brown will give an overview of the rapid growth of the Tree Corps, the EAC's effort to plant at least 10,000 trees annually for at least 10 years in a row. Trees are the most cost-effective means to improve local air quality and simultaneously help ensure continued economic growth in the Bloomington-Normal and McLean County community. To watch the live stream please click on the link. https://www.youtube.com/@mchis...
Museum Closed for New Years
Friday, December 30, 2022
9:00 AM
The Museum and the Cruisin’ with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center will be closed from Friday, December 30, 2022 through Monday, January 2, 2023 for the New Years holiday. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.
Museum Closed for Christmas
Friday, December 23, 2022
9:00 AM
The Museum and the Cruisin’ with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center will be closed from Friday, December 23 through Monday, December 26 in observance of the Christmas holiday. We will reopen on Tuesday, December 27.
Museum will be closed due to incoming inclement weather on Thursday Dec 22
Thursday, December 22, 2022
9:00 AM
Museum will be closed due to incoming inclement weather on Thursday Dec 22
Bloomington- the McLean County Museum of History and Cruisin’ with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center will be closed on Thursday, December 22 due to the incoming inclement weather later in the day.
Please have a safe and enjoyable holiday and do not travel if you do not need to during the storm.
Christmas Schedule:
The Museum and the Visitors Center will be closed from Friday, December 23 through Monday, December 26 in observance of the Christmas holiday. We will reopen on Tuesday, December 27.
New Year’s Schedule:
The Museum and the Visitors Center will be closed from Friday, December 30, 2022, through Monday, January 2, 2023, for the New Year’s holiday. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.
My Museum: a Museum Themed Storytime
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
2:00 PM
The McLean County Museum of History is partnering with Bloomington Public Library to present My Museum, a virtual program helping children learn about museums. Children will participate in activities and discussions about museums and exhibits based on the books, A Girl in a Museum World by Tellie Simpson and Milo’s Museum by Zetta Elliot. Participants will then create their own self-portrait and explore curation by gathering and labeling personal items that tell their story.
Beginning December 6, registration can be completed online at bit.ly/bplmymuseum, by calling 309.590.6155, or in person at the Children’s Services Desk at the Library.
Stocking Stuffing Saturday
Saturday, December 17, 2022
10:00 AM
Stuck on what to put in those holiday stockings? Come shop downtown Bloomington to get some fantastic stocking stuffer ideas. The Cruisin with Lincoln on 66 Visitor Center will be hosting a Pop-Up shop by Labyrinth Made Goods from 10-2. Shop and smell Labyrinth's uniquely scented 100% soy wax premium candles. You will also have the opportunity hear the empowering message behind Labyrinth Made Goods from the women of Labyrinth themselves.
Here's another stocking stuffer idea for you -- RGW Candy! RGW Candy Company has a long history in Central Illinois… and you know we love to support local! These Atlanta, Illinois-made candies are a sweet addition to any stocking. We carry mixed berry bark, dark chocolate mint, peppermint bark, sea salt caramel, and more! To be honest, it’s impossible to pick a favorite because they are all melt-in-your-mouth delicious. You can't go wrong!
Lunch and Learn - Seasonal Choral Music with Scott Ferguson, Professor of Music, the Illinois Wesleyan Director, IWU Collegiate Choir
Thursday, December 8, 2022
12:10 PM
Seasonal Choral Music with Scott Ferguson, Professor of Music
the Illinois Wesleyan Director, IWU Collegiate Choir
University Collegiate Choir
The Illinois Wesleyan University Collegiate Choir will present a brief program of
seasonal choral music featuring compositions by Palestrina, Sweelinck, Mendelssohn,
Dunphy, Wishart, Thalben-Ball, and others. The audience will be invited to join the
choir in singing "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing," and "O Come, All Ye Faithful."
The performance will be live streamed on the Museum's Youtube channel.
Christmas under the Dome
Saturday, December 3, 2022
11:00 AM
The Museum is excited to once again host this community event, which begins immediately following the Jaycees’ Parade and the arrival of Santa. Join us for activities at BOTH the Museum and The Hangar Art Co. on the Museum’s Square. Stop by the Museum for musical performances on the first floor rotunda, Christmas cookies, and hot apple cider. Greg Koos will also be on hand to sign copies of his book. Then, walk over to The Hangar Art Co. on Jefferson Street to visit Santa, make a beaded snowflake craft, and grab a bag of cookies to take home! Don’t miss this free family friendly event!
Music at the Museum will be as follows
11:00 - 11:30 Marcos Mendez
11:30 - 12:15 pm Windsong
12:30 - 1:15 pm Loving Missionary Choir
1:30 - 2:15 Sound of Illinois Chorus
First Friday: Once Upon a Holiday
Friday, December 2, 2022
5:00 PM
Join the Museum for a variety of free, family friendly activities including our Santa on the Square photo op, Tree Lighting on the lawn with the City of Bloomington, and live holiday music by Marcos Mendez. We will have adult eggnog, hot apple cider, and Christmas cookies in the Museum’s rotunda, plus celebrity readings of “Twas the night before Christmas” with Dr. Kristen Weikle, Unit 5 Superintendent, at 6:00 and Dr. David Mouser (District 87 Superintendent) and Amie Mouser (Media Specialist at Tri Valley schools) at 7:00 p.m.
You don’t want to miss this evening filled with free fun for the whole family!
From McLean to Mobile: A History of the “The McLean County Regiment”
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
6:30 PM
The Museum, in partnership with the McLean County Genealogical Society and Bloomington Public Library, are pleased to host author and historian William Iseminger, for a presentation on his newest book, From McLean to Mobile: A History of the 94th Illinois Infantry Regiment Volunteers, 1862-1865, “The McLean Regiment” on Tuesday, November 29 at 6:30 p.m. This free, hybrid program will be held in the Museum’s second floor courtroom and live streamed through the Museum’s YouTube channel
Iseminger’s book follows “The McLean County Regiment” from their commissioning in Bloomington, Illinois, in August 1862, through their three years of service in the Union Army. They began training and skirmishing in Missouri, participated in the Battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, conflicts in Louisiana, garrison duty in Brownsville, Texas, and finally the sieges and battles of Fort Morgan and Spanish Fort in Mobile Bay, Alabama. They mustered out of service in Galveston, Texas, and returned home to McLean County in August 1865.
Iseminger’s research for the book began many years ago when he transcribed the letters and diaries of two of his great-grandfathers who were in the regiment; Tubal Wile Iseminger of Heyworth and Harrison H. Clark of Randolph Station. Over the years, Iseminger located eight more diaries and 257 letters from 22 additional soldiers in the 94th, as well as two oral histories by soldiers, and other sources. Using all of these, he has written a day-by-day account of the regiment’s journey, using the diary entries to create a daily narrative of their activities, battles and encounters, travels, health, the weather, and their thoughts and observations about the people and places they saw. The narrative is enhanced by inserting the transcriptions of their letters on the days they were written, providing more details about their experiences.
William Iseminger was born in Bloomington, Illinois, and grew up in Arlington, Virginia. He majored in anthropology in college, receiving his BA from the University of Oklahoma and his MA from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He participated in excavations in South Dakota and several locations in Illinois. Bill began working in Illinois archaeology in 1967 when he began his career on a crew at Dickson Mounds. In 1971, he began a 48 ½ year career at Cahokia Mounds as an archaeologist and was instrumental in the research, planning, and implementation of the exhibits of both the on-site museum in the 70s and the Interpretive Center, which opened in 1989. He retired as Assistant Site Manager in December 2019. In addition to this publication, he is the author of numerous magazine articles, book chapters, and Cahokia Mounds: America’s First City (2010) and Identifying and Understanding Artifacts from Illinois and Neighboring States (2014).
Rather than being a detailed military history of the unit, the book is more of a personalized history of the Regiment, from their own views and mostly in their own words. The book has over 100 full-color and black-and-white illustrations, photos, and maps, and includes a roster of all the soldiers in the Regiment. Copies of the book will be available for purchase for $35.00 plus tax, and book signing will immediately follow the program. For more information, please contact education@mchistory.org or 309-827-0428.
Museum Closed in Recognition of Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 24, 2022
9:00 AM
The Museum and the Cruisin’ with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center will be closed in recognition of Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 24.
Zoom Lunch and Learn- Wastewater Today with Tim Ervin, Executive Director Bloomington Normal Water Reclamation District (BNWRD)
Thursday, November 10, 2022
12:10 PM
On Thursday, November 10 at 12:10 p.m., join the Museum and Illinois Wesleyan University for the second Lunch and Learn of the 2022-2023 season, which will explore the wastewater treatment process in our community with Tim Ervin, Executive Director of the Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District (BNWRD). This installment will be held via Zoom. To register to attend, please click here.
Wastewater treatment is a process to reduce pollutants from sewage and transform the sewage into an effluent that can be returned to the water cycle. This program will discuss the origin of wastewater treatment in Bloomington-Normal and its evolution to the modern wastewater treatment facilities in operation today. The presentation will also provide a glimpse of the current and future challenges faced in the wastewater industry, and local actions currently underway to address these issues.
Questions? Please contact the Marketing Department at marketing@mchistory.org. Grab some lunch from your favorite restaurant and join us from wherever you are for this fascinating program!
World War II Memorial Rededication
Saturday, November 5, 2022
1:00 PM
The Museum invites the public to a rededication of the World War II memorial at 1:00 p.m. November 5, 2022, on the east side of the Museum Square. This will be the 25th anniversary for the Memorial. Plans include a military flyover, music, reading of names, and a Military Honor Guard and flag presentation. Plans are in the works to also dedicate a Korean and Vietnam memorial for those soldiers who gave their lives in support of freedom. Bronze tablets have been added to the WWII memorial with raised lettering to better honor our fallen heroes. Additional finishing touches will take place before the November ceremony. We will also be announcing additional historic marker renovation projects in the county. Donations from the community may be made online at http://weblink.donorperfect.com/MarkerMatch
Virtual Evergreen Cemetery Walk
Friday, November 4, 2022
9:00 AM
The Museum, in partnership with Evergreen Memorial Cemetery and Illinois Voices Theatre Echoes, are thrilled to be able to continue offering the Evergreen Cemetery Walk online! From November 4 through 6, 2022 the Virtual Evergreen Cemetery Walk will be streaming online through the Museum's YouTube channel. Click here to access the video recording of the Walk, which will be viewable for FREE to anyone, anywhere.
This would not have been possible without support from this year's sponsors: Featured Sponsors - Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Illinois Prairie Community Foundation, Cumulus Radio Bloomington, Pantagraph Media; Premium Sponsors - Deanna Frautshi & Alan Bedell, CEFCU, Heartland Bank & Trust, WGLT, Illinois Farm Bureau, MCK CPAs & Advisors, Bloomington-Normal Convention & Visitors Bureau; Basic Sponsors - McLean County Chamber of Commerce, Dunbar, Breitweiser & Company, LLP., The Painted Wraith Curiosity Shoppe, LLC, and support from our members.
If you would like to make a donation to support the Museum and our ability to continue to present the Evergreen Cemetery Walk online in the future, please click here.
Questions? Or for more information, please contact the Museum's Education Department at education@mchistory.org.
Trapped: The 1909 Cherry Mine Disaster
Tuesday, November 1, 2022
7:00 PM
All avid readers are welcome to join the Museum and Bloomington Public Library on Tuesday, November 1 at 7:00 p.m. for the final installment of the History Reads Book Club for 2022. This hybrid discussion will be held in the Governor Fifer Courtroom at the McLean County Museum of History and online via Zoom to discuss Trapped! The 1909 Cherry Mine Disaster by Karen Tintori. Visit bit.ly/bplhistoryvirtual1122 to register for the online discussion or bit.ly/bplhistoryinperson1122 to participate in person.
Inspired by a refrain of her girlhood—”Your grandfather survived the Cherry Mine disaster”—Karen Tintori began a search for her family’s role in the
harrowing tragedy of 1909. She uncovered the stories of victims, survivors, widows, orphans, townspeople, firefighters, reporters, and mine owners, and wove them together to pen Trapped, a riveting account of the tragic day that would inspire America’s first worker’s compensation laws and hasten much-needed child labor reform.
On a Saturday morning in November of 1909, four hundred and eighty men went down into the mines as they had countless times before. But a fire
erupted in the mine shaft that day and soon burned out of control. By nightfall, more than half the men would either be dead or trapped as officials sealed the mine in an attempt to contain the blaze. Miraculously, twenty men would emerge one week later, but not before the Cherry Mine disaster went down in history as the worst ever coal mine fire in the US—and not before all the treachery and heroism of mankind were revealed.
To request a copy of the book, please contact the Reference Desk at Bloomington Public library at 309-828-6093 or email reference@bloomingtonlibrary.org.
Light up the Museum Square for Halloween
Friday, October 28, 2022
5:01 PM
Head down to the Museum Square to check out our festive Halloween light display, using our very own building to light the night! Lights start at dusk on October 28 and will stay on through October 30. Grab some treats (but hopefully no tricks) and head down to check out the display!
Downtown Trick or Treat
Friday, October 28, 2022
5:00 PM
Don your best costume, grab your candy bucket, and head to Downtown Bloomington where a variety of businesses will be handing out lots of treats! Stop by the Museum's booth on the Museum Square where we will be handing out non-candy treats as part of the Teal Pumpkin Project, and hosting some Halloween Trivia where you can win fabulous prizes!
Look for a complete listing of all participating businesses and local nonprofits coming soon by visiting the Downtown Bloomington's website at https://www.downtownbloomington.org/
Día de los Muertos Ofrenda
Monday, October 24, 2022
10:00 AM
Visit the first floor of the McLean County Museum of History from Monday, October 24 through Thursday, November 3 to view an ofrenda in celebration of Día de los Muertos!
During Día de los Muertos, the spirits of deceased loved ones return to the mortal world to visit their family and friends. An ofrenda (Spanish for offering) is an altar created to honor those loved ones and welcome them back for the celebration of life. They are often designed as tiered displays of photos, food, drinks, and items significant to the deceased. This year, our ofrenda is modeled after the trajinera boats of Xochimilco instead, though it contains many of the same offerings. The Xochimilco region is well known for its canal system and colorful trajineras, both of which have become important parts of their Día de los Muertos traditions. A big thank you to Miriam Padilla and her family for creating this year’s incredible display.
For more information, contact the Education Department at education@mchistory.org.
Wood Grain Elevators and Their Legacy - A Case Study using JH Hawes Grain Elevator
Sunday, October 23, 2022
2:00 PM
A free program brought to you by The City of Atlanta, Illinois with the Illinois Humanities Activate History Grant. Bill Kemp of the McLean County Museum of History will be presenting about wooden grain elevators, with emphasis on JH Hawes Wooden Grain Elevator, the only fully operational grain elevator in Illinois. After the presentation, stick around for a tour inside the JH Hawes Wooden Grain Elevator.*entrance available on the backside of Missy's Sweet Shoppe and through the Welcome Center on 114 SW Arch Street.
Missy’s Sweet Shoppe at the Palms Grill Cafe
110 SW Arch St, Atlanta, Illinois
This is a FREE event. Light refreshments will be provided.10% off your meal order from Country-Aire on the 23rd will benefit the Grain Elevator Committee.
Illinois Main Street Conference Thurs. Oct 20 Day 3
Thursday, October 20, 2022
8:00 AM
Powered by community, dedicated professionals, volunteers, and civic leaders, historic Main Street districts and neighborhood commercial corridors are at the heart of, and essential to, thriving communities.
The 2022 Illinois Main Street Conference brings together leaders, advocates, and cheerleaders to learn from each other and industry experts on how to grow and sustain downtown districts as centers of economic and social opportunity.
Please click to register and see schedule:
https://www.ilmainstreet.org/i...
Illinois Main Street Conference Wed. Oct 19 DAY 2
Wednesday, October 19, 2022
8:00 AM
Powered by community, dedicated professionals, volunteers, and civic leaders, historic Main Street districts and neighborhood commercial corridors are at the heart of, and essential to, thriving communities.
The 2022 Illinois Main Street Conference brings together leaders, advocates, and cheerleaders to learn from each other and industry experts on how to grow and sustain downtown districts as centers of economic and social opportunity.
Please click