On the Square Blog
May 6th, 2024
0 mins read by Morgan Bueza
April 17th, 2024
0 mins read by Bill Kemp
April 9th, 2024
0 mins read by Micaela Harris
March 27th, 2024
0 mins read by Mike Matejka
March 27th, 2024
0 mins read by Mike Matejka
March 20th, 2024
0 mins read by
March 13th, 2024
0 mins read by Micaela Harris
February 13th, 2024
Museum Square Becomes First Site for International Artist EMEMEM's U.S. Debut
If you're walking along the east side of the Museum Square, you might see a glimmer of something new filling in the cracks of the pavement... Earlier this month, the Museum Square became the first city in the United States to feature an original installation from Ememem, the globetrotting st...
2 mins read by Micaela Harris
February 13th, 2024
Local Sci-Fi Novels Added to Library Stacks
The Museum's Library & Archives actively collects published works by local authors and is always eager to add to our repertoire. We recently added three books by Wilson Tucker (1914-2006) to the Library st...
2 mins read by
January 13th, 2024
Audiobook of McLean County History Now Available on Audible & KIndle
Freedom, Land & Community: A History of McLean County Illinois, 1730-1900, a groundbreaking historical tome that documents and details the lives of the diverse people of Central Illinois through the lens of the author, Greg Koos, is now available on Audible and Kindle. Masterf...
1 mins read by Micaela Harris
December 28th, 2023
0 mins read by Micaela Harris
December 24th, 2023
Museum Saving Santa, Bringing Back a Beloved Central Illinois Christmas Tradition
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, two in fact, right here in McLean County. The 14-foot Santa sculptures symbolized the holiday season in Central Illinois for nearly fifty years. But all the holiday hoopla has them in need of some TLC before next Christmas.So, the McLean County Museum...
4 mins read by Micaela Harris
November 14th, 2023
Two Pieces of World War II Accessioned into the Museum's Library and Archives
In the last week, the Museum has accessioned two unique pieces of World War II history: a P.O.W. diary and a collection of 16 propaganda posters. On Monday, November 13, 2023, Dianna Dee Damkoehler donated sixteen World War II propaganda posters to the Museum. The Office of War Info...
3 mins read by Micaela Harris
October 30th, 2023
Museum to Reopen Reenvisioned Merwin Gallery
Museum to Reopen Reenvisioned Merwin Gallery, Increase Collections’ AccessibilityContactMicaela Harris, Director of Communications at 309-825-5296 or mharris@mchistory.org For...
3 mins read by Micaela Harris
October 13th, 2023
0 mins read by Bill Kemp
September 26th, 2023
0 mins read by Bill Kemp
September 19th, 2023
Celebrating Latinx Heritage Month
In 1968, the Lyndon B. Johnson administration federally established Hispanic Heritage Week. On August 17, 1988, the Ronald Reagan administration expanded and enacted into law Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins on September 15 and ends on October 15.The dates are significant as Se...
2 mins read by Micaela Harris
August 25th, 2023
0 mins read by Susan Hartzold
August 8th, 2023
McHistory: Paul Rhymer, the man who put Bloomington 'on the air'
Listen to the audio on WGLT's website hereMcHistory goes back in time to explore big moments and small stories from McLean County history. McHistory episodes can b...
2 mins read by Bill Kemp
July 31st, 2023
McHistory: Richard Blue was the first Black person to run for Bloomington council
Listen to the audio on WGLT's website hereMcHistory goes back in time to explore big moments and small stories from McLean County history. McHi...
1 mins read by Bill Kemp
July 26th, 2023
Museum to Dedicate Historic Marker on Bloomington’s West Side Memorializing the Former Booker T. Washington Home for Colored Children
Contact:Micaela Harris, Museum Director of Communications, at 309-827-0228 ext. 114Norris Porter, Museum Director of Development, at ...
8 mins read by Micaela Harris
July 13th, 2023
Seeds of History
Science and the humanities are often thought of as separate entities and subjects. Still, we at the Museum believe all forms of knowledge are important in understanding and interpreting our world. Seeds of History is an ongoing series of interdisciplinary initiatives working to edu...
3 mins read by Micaela Harris
July 12th, 2023
Historic Markers: Tools in Creating Community History
Monuments and historic markers reflect our values as a community and are tangible and visual markers of the stories we value. They also remind us that history is not exclusively confined to the walls of a museum but exists all around us. History happens everywhere, all the time. Public his...
14 mins read by Micaela Harris
June 13th, 2023
0 mins read by Micaela Harris
June 1st, 2023
0 mins read by Susan Hartzold
March 30th, 2023
Guy Fraker -- 2023 History Maker
Central Illinois roots and Abraham Lincoln tugged at Guy Fraker, bringing this Missouri-born, suburban New York City youth to a long-time Bloomington career.Guy’s family had deep roots in central Illinois and the University of Illinois. When Guy was a child, the family visited his grandmot...
5 mins read by Norris Porter