McLean County Museum of History

McLean County Museum of History We're a nationally accredited museum located along Historic Route 66 dedicated to sharing the diverse stories of the people of Illinois' largest county.
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Stop by to discover something new! We're open 6 days a week and are always available via mchistory.org The McLean County Museum is an award-winning, local history museum and is nationally accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. This is the "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval" in the world of museums. Less than 3% of museums are accredited nationwide. The Museum is also home to the Cruisin'

with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center. The entrance to both facilities is on the ground floor on the Washington Street side of the Museum Square, near the Abraham Lincoln bench. The Museum is dedicated to telling the rich story of McLean county through programs that serve people of all ages. The Museum has won over a dozen state and nationally competitive awards for its exhibits, educational programs and publications since 1991. The Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center includes information on local tourist attractions, local sites associated with Route 66 and Abraham Lincoln, and other visitor interests including events, restaurants and shopping. A large gift shop is located in the Visitors Center. McLean County Museum of History Social Media Community Guidelines

The McLean County Museum of History (MCMH) strives to create informative and engaging social media pages. We welcome engagement and constructive dialogue from all perspectives. The guidelines outlined below will help foster a courteous and dynamic environment for all community members. We cannot review or moderate all comments, but we reserve the right to delete or hide any content posted that does not adhere to our policy, and block or report users who share such content. The following will not be tolerated:

> Hate speech, harassment, bullying, profanity, threatening language, attacks on or intimidation of any party, including our online community members or MCMH staff
> Homophobic, transphobic, racist, or sexist speech
> Malicious speech regarding topics of religion, age, ethnic origin, immigration status, gender expression, or race
> Suggestion or encouragement of illegal activities
> Demeaning remarks about personal appearance or ability
> Spam, fraudulent links, repetitive posts
> Advertisements or commercial postings

We thank you for engaging in thoughtful, respectful dialogue on our social media channels.

Downs High graduates, 1930 Yesterday, we showcased a recent donation of Downs photos and papers from Mary Jantze of Norm...
05/29/2026

Downs High graduates, 1930

Yesterday, we showcased a recent donation of Downs photos and papers from Mary Jantze of Normal. Mary also donated the first volume, 1930, of “The Dee,” Downs Community High School’s yearbook. Note there were ten graduates that year. The high school closed in 1963.

Village of Downs portraits, unidentified On Sunday, we highlighted Normal resident Mary Jantze’s donation of photographs...
05/28/2026

Village of Downs portraits, unidentified

On Sunday, we highlighted Normal resident Mary Jantze’s donation of photographs and papers relating to the Village of Downs and its history. Included in Mary’s gift were two three-ring binders holding a scrapbook compiled by Alice Colaw Waybright (1860-1940). The scrapbook contains a collection of death notices and obituaries of Downs residents, as well as dozens of thumbnail portraits. We’ve included several thumbnails here. Unfortunately, these folks are unidentified. Look for more portraits from the Waybright scrapbook this Saturday!

“Hi Daddy!”— GM&O promotional booklet, circa 1948 Museum friend Steve Gossard donated this circa 1948 promotional item f...
05/27/2026

“Hi Daddy!”— GM&O promotional booklet, circa 1948

Museum friend Steve Gossard donated this circa 1948 promotional item from the Gulf Mobile & Ohio Railroad detailing a Chicago-to-St. Louis trip through the eyes of a young girl. Seen here are selected pages. The GM&O’s Alton Route is now a Union Pacific line also used by Amtrak. Thanks for this great item, Steve! It’s now part of our GM&O Collection in our climate-controlled Archives.

Get your tickets while you still can! The biggest night in local history is less than a month away. Join us for the 2026...
05/27/2026

Get your tickets while you still can! The biggest night in local history is less than a month away. Join us for the 2026 History Makers Gala, which will also be the 134th annual meeting of the McLean County Historical Society, on Wednesday, June 17.

We’ll gather for an evening of storytelling, camaraderie, and to celebrate five incredible History Makers: Melinda Fischer, John McIntyre, Feli Sebastian, and Camille & Art Taylor!

Visit bit.ly/hmgala26 to learn more about this year’s honorees and save your seat.

Registration closes June 1st.

Tickets are $75 for Museum Members and $100 for nonmembers. Get yours online at mchistory.org or call us at 309-827-0428. If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by the Museum in Downtown Bloomington and one of the friendly faces in our Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center & Gift Shop can help you get registered too!

Country Gardens, 1961 Country Garden Apartments off Jersey Avenue were constructed in 1961 to meet the housing needs of ...
05/26/2026

Country Gardens, 1961

Country Garden Apartments off Jersey Avenue were constructed in 1961 to meet the housing needs of Illinois Agricultural Association employees relocating to the Twin Cities. By the fall of 1961, the IAA and its family of companies had completed the move of their headquarters from Chicago to Bloomington. This 60-unit complex consists of five two-story, brick buildings. The first two photos date to late March 1961, while the third one is from late June of that year. It shows IAA employees Donna Heller (left) and Jane Marshall.

Memorial Day 1962 The Museum and Visitors Center are closed on this day to remember those who gave their lives while ser...
05/25/2026

Memorial Day 1962

The Museum and Visitors Center are closed on this day to remember those who gave their lives while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. This bugler is at either Evergreen or Park Hill, two cemeteries in Bloomington.

Downs Methodist Episcopal Church, early 1910s Earlier this month Mary Jantze of Normal was at the Museum to donate a wea...
05/24/2026

Downs Methodist Episcopal Church, early 1910s

Earlier this month Mary Jantze of Normal was at the Museum to donate a wealth of primary and secondary source material relating to Downs—including history on the village, its schools, the Methodist church, and much more. Here are two picture postcards (and one enlargement) from Mary’s gift. They are postmarked 1912 and 1913 respectively. Thank you so much Mary! We will be showing off more from her donation in the coming days.

Bob Johnson, July 1982 Bob Johnson’s Brandtville Restaurant, located at the junction of the Route 66 Beltline (now Veter...
05/23/2026

Bob Johnson, July 1982

Bob Johnson’s Brandtville Restaurant, located at the junction of the Route 66 Beltline (now Veterans Parkway) and U.S. 150, was a trucker’s haven in its early years. When the interstates arrived many of the truck drivers left, but the restaurant became a favorite for locals. Who remembers Bob Johnson's broasted chicken? Who has other memories?

This could be you! There are 8 days left to submit your artwork for A More Perfect Union: A Community Exhibition Commemo...
05/22/2026

This could be you! There are 8 days left to submit your artwork for A More Perfect Union: A Community Exhibition Commemorating America 250.

Artists of all ages, experience levels, and mediums are encouraged to apply before May 30. Use this link to submit your application: https://form.jotform.com/260115181558151

The attached photo from the Museum's collection features Herb Johnson of Bloomington in 1990. He earned the Merwin Medal for most outstanding work at the McLean County Arts Center's Annual Amateur Competition. His oil painting highlights a Black Army veteran in front of a memorial similar to those commemorating Vietnam veterans. The names on the memorial, however, are "martyrs of the Black struggle and friends from Johnson's youth in Springfield," according to The Pantagraph's reporting at the time.

Our forthcoming exhibition isn't a competition, but it is a venue for expressive arts exploring the American experience. Please visit mchistory.org/250 for more information.

ISU President David Berlo and Dr. Charles Morris, Sept. 1971 The late Dr. Charles Morris (1931-2024) shakes hands with D...
05/22/2026

ISU President David Berlo and Dr. Charles Morris, Sept. 1971

The late Dr. Charles Morris (1931-2024) shakes hands with David K. Berlo, Illinois State University’s new president. Morris was chairman of the university’s Academic Senate. Berlo, 42 years old at the time, had come from Michigan State University. He served several contentious years before departing in 1973. The two women in the second photo are unidentified.

"The Preacher and the Bean" That’s what is written on the back of the first photo. Tom Benton is the preacher (left) and...
05/21/2026

"The Preacher and the Bean"

That’s what is written on the back of the first photo. Tom Benton is the preacher (left) and lanky Walter Meers is the “bean.” The handwritten ID also noted the Model T to the right. The second photo is Meers. These two photos come from a recent donation by Carol Parish and her two late sisters, Lynda Comerford and Rosemary Brill. Prominent McLean County farmer Walter Meers (1891-1950) was their grandfather.

Address

200 N Main Street
Bloomington, IL
61701

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 8pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13098270428

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