104 posts

June 1st, 2022

0 mins read by Susan Hartzold

March 29th, 2022

2022 History Makers: Deanna Frautschi & Alan Bedell

Deanna Frautschi & Alan Bedell2022 History MakersTwo McLean County residents with working class roots continue to make history as major community and philanthropic leaders. Deanna Frautschi and Alan Bedell both impact many lives with their generous souls, nurtured ...
5 mins read by Norris Porter

March 29th, 2022

2022 History Makers: Myra & George Gordon

“Tikkun Olam,” a phrase in Hebrew meaning to “repair the world,” sums up George and Myra Gordon’s many community contributions, including education, recycling, and planting trees.Their multiple involvements are legend. Between the two, there are almost 60 years of environmental activism, g...
5 mins read by Norris Porter

March 21st, 2022

Press Release: MCMH Wins Community Partnership Award for “Breaking Bread in McLean County”

MCMH Wins Community Partnership Award for “Breaking Bread in McLean County”Bloomington, IL-The McLean County Museum of History (MCMH) received an award for Superior Achievement in Community Partnerships by the Illinois Association for Museums (IAM) in recognition ...
3 mins read by Jeffery Woodard
0 mins read by Susan Hartzold

September 1st, 2021

Treasures Under the Dome -- Part 1

Treasures Under the Dome will be a semi-regular video series that showcases one of the objects, papers, or images in our collections & archives that is not routinely on display at the Museum.Watch on YouTube...
1 mins read by Norris Porter

August 24th, 2021

Two more digitization grants!

The McLean County Museum of History is the recipient of two digitization grants to expand its efforts in making the Pantagraph Negatives Collection more readily available to the public online. The first grant in the a...
2 mins read by Norris Porter

April 15th, 2021

Barbara Stuart -- 2021 History Maker Honoree

Barbara served for several years as president of the Normal Public Library Board and became the first president of the Friends of the Normal Public Library. She founded seven activist organizations: Young Adult Problems Study Group, The Minority Advocacy Council, the Minority Complaints about Pol...
2 mins read by Norris Porter

April 15th, 2021

Robert and Marilyn Sutherland -- 2021 History Maker Honorees

During their over five decades in Bloomington-Normal, Bob and Marilyn Sutherland participated in many ways to help make this a better community for everyone, particularly for those who often cannot make their own voices heard. Bob "has been arrested, investigated, and vilified, but he can�...
2 mins read by Norris Porter

April 15th, 2021

Jerry and Carole Ringer -- 2021 History Maker Honorees

Jerry and Carole’s shared passion for the arts is well-known in the community. Carole says, “(Art) helps to define the quality of life. Even if you are well able to put food on the table, culture is needed for the soul, mind, and spirit.”Carole was a volunteer and ultimately a professional...
2 mins read by Norris Porter

April 16th, 2020

Cemetery Walk Videos Now Online

The McLean County Museum of History has been a strong supporter of the arts and live theater for many years. And in turn, the arts community has reciprocated that strong support of the Museum and our educational programs, helping us bring to life our vibrant and diverse local history through live...
2 mins read by Candace Summers

March 13th, 2020

Museum Closed to the Public

In the interest of the safety of our patrons, volunteers, and staff in light of the developing COVID-19 situation regionally and nationally, the McLean County Museum of History and Cruisin’ with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center will be closed to the public beginning Saturday, March 14. Should condit...
2 mins read by Jeffery Woodard

September 30th, 2019

Practicing Inclusion at the McLean County Museum of History

The McLean County Museum of History welcomes and values all visitors. We are committed to representing the entire community by sharing your history, your story. In fact, it is part of our mission to “reflect the diversity of McLean County,” and we take that mission seriously. As an educational in...
4 mins read by Torii Moré

March 19th, 2019

Henry Gay Named 2019 History Maker Honoree

It’s a rough road from the Louisiana cotton fields to Bloomington-Normal, with obstacles every step of the way.   Henry Gay Sr. completed that journey with dignity and standing up for human rights.Born outside Shreveport, Louisiana on August 5, 1924, Henry grew up in the segregated South. ...
4 mins read by Divah Griffin

March 19th, 2019

Jana Edge named 2019 History Maker Honoree

How does a small-town girl from Wisconsin find herself in a C5A Air Force transport, directing Russian soldiers unloading relief supplies?Jana Edge did not plan to enter nursing, but looking at the limited options open to an educated woman in the 1950s – secretarial, nursing or education –...
6 mins read by Divah Griffin

March 19th, 2019

Richard and Judy Buchanan Named 2019 History Maker Honorees

What happens when you mix a Chicago Irish Democrat with a small-town Illinois Baptist Republican?  - The amazing community servant duo of Richard and Judy Buchanan.Judy grew up on Chicago’s southside and in the Englewood neighborhood. her father and mother were both first generation Irish-...
6 mins read by Divah Griffin

November 1st, 2018

0 mins read by Susan Hartzold

September 26th, 2018

0 mins read by Susan Hartzold
0 mins read by Susan Hartzold

March 19th, 2018

Don Munson Named 2018 History Maker Honoree

Donald G. Munson was born September 26, 1941, in Gibson City and attended Gibson City schools. Growing up an only child, Don spent a lot of time listening to music, reading, and listening to the radio, a seemingly very metropolitan source of news and entertainment. 'When I graduated I had ne...
10 mins read by Lauren Lacy

March 19th, 2018

Paul and Sandra Harmon Named 2018 History Maker Honorees

Paul and Sandra Harmon shake their heads when they’re referred to as a “power couple,” but that’s how many people in the community describe them. This reluctant “power couple” first met during their freshman year at the University of Dubuque in Iowa, marrying shortly after they graduated in 1964....
11 mins read by Lauren Lacy

March 19th, 2018

Ronn Morehead Named 2018 History Maker Honoree

Ronn grew up in Normal, Illinois. Working in his father’s tavern as a young man, Ronn feels, shaped him and helped prepare him for the workforce. On Sundays, Ronn would go to church, then head to his father’s tavern on Front Street. If he got his work done in time, he could play shuffleboard with...
8 mins read by Lauren Lacy

March 15th, 2018

Lovell Named Executive Director

Adam Lovell, of Reedsville Wisconsin, has been named the new Executive Director at the McLean County Museum of History. Lovell has over 18 years’ experience in museum operations. Most recently he spent two years as Assistant Director and Curator at the Rahr-West Art Museum in Manitowoc, Wi...
1 mins read by Torii Moré

March 14th, 2018

2018 History Makers Announced

The McLean County Museum of History announced on Tuesday four recipients of the 2018 History Makers award to be presented during the Museum’s sixth annual History Makers Gala on Thursday, June 28 at the DoubleTree by Hilton. Each year, the History Makers Gala recognizes senior citizens who...
2 mins read by Lauren Lacy
0 mins read by Susan Hartzold

December 19th, 2017

Pages from the Past Available Now

“A Page from Our Past,” a weekly look at Central Illinois and McLean County history, debuted in the Sunday Pantagraph on December 18, 2005. Since first appearing in Bloomington’s longtime daily paper, there have been more than 600 original columns in this award-winning series. This highly anticip...
3 mins read by Lauren Lacy

December 14th, 2017

A message from our Museum director

Dear Museum members and friends, You have likely heard the news that I will be leaving the McLean County Museum of History next year for a new opportunity with the Town of Normal. I wish I could have personally delivered the news to each of you in person, and perhaps I am in this moment. I...
2 mins read by Beth Whisman

December 4th, 2017

Illinois Bicentennial flag raising kicks off year of programs

The State of Illinois will celebrate its 200th birthday on Dec. 3, 2018. To help kick off a yearlong celebration of the Illinois Bicentennial, communities across the state hosted a simultaneous Illinois Bicentennial Flag Raising Ceremony at noon on Monday, Dec. 4, 2017.The County of McLean hosted...
2 mins read by Jeffery Woodard

November 21st, 2017

Collection Storage Improvement Fund Drive Underway

This holiday season, the McLean County Museum of History is raising $5,500 to upgrade our collections storage space to further meet museum and archival standards and ensure our collections are preserved for future generations. Our collection contains more than 20,000 objects donated from local re...
3 mins read by Lauren Lacy

November 21st, 2017

0 mins read by Torii Moré