McLean County Museum of History facts for kids
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The Main Street façade
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| Established | 1892 |
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| Location | 200 N. Main St. Bloomington, Illinois 61701 |
| Type | History Museum |
| Public transit access |  Connect Transit |
The McLean County Museum of History is a special place in Bloomington, Illinois. It's a museum that has been approved by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). This means it meets high standards for museums. It's the main part of the McLean County Historical Society. This group started in 1892 to learn about local history. The Museum moved into its current home in 1991.
Contents
Discovering McLean County's Past
The McLean County Historical Society began by holding meetings. People would share papers about local history. Soon, people in the community started giving old objects to the society. These objects helped tell the story of the past.
In 1904, the society opened its very first Museum. They even hired someone to take care of the collections. In the 1930s, new leaders helped the museum grow. They used money from the New Deal program, which helped people find jobs during tough times. All the museum's items were organized again. They also made lists of old papers and local newspapers.
A fire happened in the Museum building in 1972. Luckily, the historical items were not damaged. After the fire, the museum's leaders decided to run it more professionally. In 1979, they made a plan to get the special AAM accreditation. They achieved this goal in 1984. The Museum was checked again and approved in 1996 and 2008. From 1989 to 1991, the McLean County Courthouse was changed into the Museum.
The Historic Museum Building
The Museum building stands on a spot where three courthouses were built before. The first courthouse was made in 1831 from cherry and black walnut wood. In 1836, a new two-story courthouse was built. This one was used by important people like Abraham Lincoln. He was a lawyer on the Eighth Judicial Circuit. This courthouse also hosted religious groups and the county's first newspaper.
The third courthouse was designed in 1868 by Alfred Piquenard. It was built in the Italian Renaissance style. On June 19, 1900, a big fire in downtown Bloomington caused a lot of damage. A company from Peoria was hired to rebuild the courthouse. They designed the new building in the American Renaissance style. It was finished in 1903.
This building was used as the county courthouse until 1976. That's when the courts moved to a newer place. The courthouse was still used for office work until 1988. Then, it was turned into the Museum we see today.
In 2002, the dome and its base were fixed up. Old copper decorations were saved and reused. The stone base of the dome was also repaired. The clock inside the dome was replaced in 2004. The bell from the 1868 courthouse rang for the first time in almost 50 years! In 2005, the Museum won an award for restoring the dome.
Exploring Museum Exhibits
The Museum has many items that show how McLean County grew. These items cover history from ancient times to today. The collection shows the county's different cultures and how people lived. It also shows political and economic activities. The Museum has about 18,000 objects in its collection.
The Museum's main exhibit is called Challenges, Choices, and Change. It tells the stories of people who settled in McLean County. This exhibit is in four different rooms:
- Making a Home: This part shows how people came from all over the world. They arrived from Native American times to the late 1900s. It explores how they made McLean County their home.
- A Community in Conflict: This exhibit asks who had the power in the community. It looks at who decided what was right or wrong. It also explores who earned respect or caused fear.
- Working for a Living: This section shows how jobs have changed over time. It goes from the first settlers in the 1820s to the 1990s. You can see how new technology changed how people worked.
- Farming in the Great Corn Belt: This exhibit tells the story of McLean County farmers. It shows the tools they used and the crops they grew. It also explains the tough choices they made to be successful.
Another main exhibit is Abraham Lincoln in McLean County. It looks at Lincoln's work as a lawyer in McLean County. It also shows his important role in fighting against slavery. This exhibit explains how he helped start the Republican Party in Illinois. It also shows how he became president in 1860. You can learn about the strong connections Lincoln made with people here.
The Museum also has three spaces for temporary exhibits. These are the Dolan & Behr Gallery, the Helen Alexander Bender Gallery, and the Merwin Gallery. Museum staff and guest experts create these exhibits. They use objects and pictures from the Museum's collection. These galleries show new topics in local history for about 2-3 years. Some past award-winning exhibits include Just Corn: The "Amazing" Story and A Turbulent Time: Perspectives of the Vietnam War.
The Museum also displays the Tilbury Flash. This is a racing plane designed by Owen Tilbury in 1932. It was the smallest plane in the world when it was built. It won many airplane races. You can see it at the Central Illinois Regional Airport.
In 2015, the Museum opened the Cruisin' With Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center. It also has a gift shop on the lower level of the Museum.
Learning and Research Opportunities
The McLean County Museum of History wants to help people learn about local and family history. It has a library and archives that are open to the public. The Stevenson-Ives Library and Benjamin Hoopes Family Archives have many old and new materials. These materials cover Central Illinois history from the early 1800s to today.
You can find letters, diaries, and old business records. There are also newspapers, maps, photos, and stories from people who lived here. Topics include daily life, military history, and stories about famous people. There are also books about religious groups and farming. You can find school yearbooks and books by local writers. Many of the larger collections have guides to help you find things. About 90 of these guides are on the Museum’s website. A big part of the library helps people study their family history. This part is supported by local groups.
The Museum offers fun ways to learn. They use objects and hands-on activities for all ages. These programs connect local history to state and national history. They help you learn by doing and using your senses. All programs meet the learning goals set by the Illinois State Board of Education. They are taught by the Museum’s education team.
The Museum also loans out "Museum-in-a-box" kits to classrooms. These kits have objects, copies of old items, and activities. They help students learn about different topics. The Museum also has programs for older adults. These programs use objects to help them remember and share stories. Plus, the Museum offers tours, field trips, and a History Careers Day Camp.
The Museum also has the Harriet Fuller Rust Discovery Room. This room shows what life was like without modern technology. Kids can pretend to live in the early 1800s. They can push a steel plow, carry water, or try on old clothes. They can even pretend to milk a cow!
Since 1995, the Museum has hosted the Evergreen Cemetery Walk. Each year, actors play different people who lived in McLean County. They bring their stories to life. The tour also teaches about the art and history of the cemetery. You can learn about how people used to bury their loved ones.
Awards and Recognition
The McLean County Museum of History has received many awards for its great work:
- Approved by the American Alliance of Museums
- American Association of State and Local History
- Award of Merit: 1993, 1997, 1999
- Certificate of Commendation: 2001, 2002, 2004
- Leadership in History Award: 2020
- Illinois Association of Museums
- Award of Excellence: 1996
- Best Practices in Virtual Materials: 2018
- Best Practices in Educational Programming: 2018
- Museum Media Film Festival Award: 2019
- Superior Achievement in Community Partnerships: 2018, 2022
- Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois Outstanding Restoration Award 2005
