This exhibit explores the history of corn growing in McLean County. Area farmers consistently produces more corn than any other county in the United States. Corn has been the primary crop of this area since the Native American woodland people lived here over 500 years ago. White settlement of McLean County was primarily the result of farmers seeking good corn land. Corn provided the backbone of McLean County's wealth through the 19th century. In the 20th century McLean County lead the way in the development and adoption of scientifically bred corn, revolutionizing the way corn is produced.
Want to know more about this topic? Purchase the Heart of the Cornbelt, by William Walters in the Museum gift shop, or view the Agriculture Oral Histories conducted for this project in the Museum's archives.