Celebrations Parties and Parades

Resources are listed in alphabetical order. More information can always be found by using our website search bar, or contacting a member of our staff.

Articles

A small selection of Pages from our Past articles written by Bill Kemp

4 items

Dance marathons, walkathons once talk of the town

Although born out of the Roaring Twenties, dance marathons and walkathons peaked in popularity ...

Article

Emancipation Day once Black community’s July 4th

In the years before the Civil War and for several decades afterward, Bloomington’s African-Amer...

Article

Halloween 1945 followed world war’s end

World War II still loomed large over American life during the Halloween season of 1945. The sur...

Article

Mandolin enjoyed ‘golden age’ in late 19th century

“The members of the Lotus Club last evening entertained their lady friends at their rooms on No...

Article

Biographies

6 items

Bunn, T.J.

Thomas Jefferson (T.J.) Bunn was born on August 29, 1832 in Xenia, Green County, Ohio. He was t...

Biography

Eyer, Lloyd

Lloyd Eyer served as physical director of the Bloomington YMCA for twelve years from 1905 to 19...

Biography

Fell, Hester Vernon

Hester Vernon Fell was born on March 2, 1819 in Little Brittain, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania...

Biography

Marmon, Mary Ann

Mary Ann (Cheney) Marmon (1837-1908) grew up in a log cabin on the Illinois prairie and was a m...

Biography

Milner, Angeline Vernon

Angeline Vernon Milner, known to most as Ange, is one of Illinois' most famous librarians....

Biography

Stewart, Grace Huddleston

Grace Huddleston Stewart became known throughout Bloomington after she brought a fair housing c...

Biography

Blog

4 items

LeRoy Centennial Parade October 19, 1935

A merchant’s parade was one of the highlights of LeRoy’s three-day centennial celebration, Octo...

Blog Post

McHistory: Voices Of The Past Come Alive

Listen to the audio on WGLT's website hereMcHistory goes back in time to explore big momen...

Blog Post

On Parade Elementary Rhythm Band, July 1951

On Tuesday we posted another photograph featuring this neighborhood music class. These children...

Blog Post

Photo of the Week: Dolls On Parade O’Neil Park, July 1939

The once-annual O’Neil Park doll parade on Bloomington’s west side prepares to get underway, Fr...

Blog Post

Finding Aids

5 items

Bloomington Sesquicentennial

Bloomington celebrated its 150th birthday with a free, family-friendly downtown festival on Sat...

Finding Aid

Bloomington Trades and Labor Assembly

Bloomington labor unions banded together on October 18, 1891, to establish the Bloomington Trad...

Finding Aid

Central Social Club (Randolph Township)

The Central Social Club, originally known as the Diamond Grove Club, was a women’s club origina...

Finding Aid

McLean County Sesquicentennial Committee

The McLean County Sesquicentennial Celebration commemorated the founding of McLean County 150 y...

Finding Aid

WLS Barn Dance

WLS Radio’s National Barn Dance was one of the most popular and longest running programs on rad...

Finding Aid

Making a Home

Digital Exhibit

1 item

Livingston Family

In 1860 Hannah Eliel, age nine, boarded the sailing ship Clobus with her teenage sisters Betty ...

Digital Exhibit

Research

1 item

Post Amerikan

Held by the MCMH and digitized by Eastern Illinois University. The Post Amerikan began publicat...

Article