Latino History Project
The McLean County Latino History Project seeks to research and record the culture and experience of Latinos who have settled in McLean County and identify artifacts, images and documents associated with their culture and lives for future programs and exhibits. The Museum of History teamed with the Illinois State University Latin American and Latino Studies Program for this project.
Early on, Latinos immigrating from the US Southwest, Puerto Rico, etc. found employment within homes (as domestics), railroads, farms, factories, circuses and as general laborers. Many remained in the community, raising their families. Others moved on elsewhere in the US or back to their native countries. More recently, immigrant Latinos have found work at State Farm, ISU, Mitsubishi and elsewhere.