Martin Anders Wyckoff was born in Normal, Illinois April 20, 1950, to Delmar and Elizabeth Anders Wyckoff. He is a graduate of Normal Community High School and Illinois State University (1973).
At ISU he studied studio arts and started producing photo-realistic paintings as well as surrealistic and satirical works. He later took interest in historical archaeology and studied under Ed Jelks, one of the founders of the historic archaeology discipline. After working as staff artist at the museum at Michigan State University, Martin was asked to illustrate for the McLean County Historical Society Museum. His responsibilities at the Museum grew to eventually include curatorial duties.
Stepping into Martin's home was like stepping back in time. He lived in a home entirely furnished in antiques, and along with Mrs. Calabash (his beloved cat) Martin shook his fist at modern society. Martin owned hundreds of suits, none of which were contemporary; he would often be seen wearing 1940s three-piece suits and a pocket watch.
Martin passed away November 28, 2010, at the age of 60.
This collection contains personal documents as well as research on military buttons and historic houses in McLean County.