Voices from the Past brings history to life through costumed actors assuming the intriguing characters of McLean County’s ancestors in the beautiful grounds of Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. It’s a great opportunity to learn about the people who contributed to central Illinois’ colorful history. Put on your walking shoes and bring your family to participate in this fascinating, award-winning outdoor theater program.

A collaboration between the McLean County Museum of History, Illinois Voices Theatre and Evergreen Memorial Cemetery

Madame Annette A pseudonym from the Daily Bulletin, carried out interview with a wide variety of McLean County luminaries. Because she used a pseudonym, her true identity was never revealed. She talks at length with Sophia Huggins (1831-1903), a well known fortune teller, about her clients and the psychic advice she gave them both for personal and business mattes.

Gerald "Jerry" Wonderlich (1889-1937) A champion racecar driver in the 1920s, he risked life and limb as a stunt car driver in movies and intrigued the Hollywood tabloids with rumors of marriage to a movie star.

Isaac "Ike" Sanders (1878-1929) An honorable African American man from Bloomington, Sander's found himself in deep trouble in Boston when he defended his sister's honor. He walked away from his job as driver for Adlai Stevenson I when he felt disrespected by Mrs. Stevenson.  After a false start, Sanders ran the very successful Workingman's Club restaurant that served both black and white miners and railroad workers.

Charlotte Ann Scott (1831-1917) The wife of a prominent judge, she vividly chronicled life during the early days of Bloomington's development.

Georgina Trotter (1836-1904) A dynamo of energy who nursed the injured during the Civil War, ran a coal, lumber, and grain business with her brother, and was the first woman elected to serve on the local board of education, all while taking in and raising a girl child on her own.

Benjamin Franklin Funk (1838-1909) "Trott" as he was known, was the son of prominent, wealthy early settlers Isaac and Cassandra Funk. He was a far-sighted and charismatic politician who greatly improved living conditions in the growing town of Bloomington.

W. C. Hobbs (1800-1861) He was one of McLean County's early cultural leaders.  A dandy, he set the standard for the etiquette and social life in a growing town that was eager to set itself apart from other prairie communities.

Join us for the 2012 Discovery Walk!