Western Illinois Museum

Instant Source for Local History

Rich Egger — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:45:32 +0000

The Western Illinois Museum hopes to put local history in the palm of your hand through a mobile app.

“It just has the real potential to highlight Macomb’s unique history in a way that’s accessible to the population,” said John Ceglarek, Western Illinois University graduate assistant and Peace Corp fellow who has worked at the museum for the past year.

Museum Exhibit on “What We Wore”

Rich Egger — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:43:50 +0000

This week on Emphasis, Rich Egger’s guest is Sue Scott, curator of the Western Illinois Museum in Macomb. They talk about the museum’s current exhibit What We Wore.

“I think people love clothing. It’s something that we all have and we’re familiar with,” Scott said.

“It’s a great way to actually learn about culture and traditions.”

Scott said the exhibit is based on the items from the museum’s collection. The oldest item displayed is a wedding dress from 1868.

“The Game of the Year”

Jason Parrott — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 05:08:57 +0000

Baseball teams from Macomb and Colchester were scheduled to play a five-game series in mid-1921.

The series was tied 2-2 after four games with the deciding 5^th game scheduled for September 11.

The game was played at the Macomb fairgrounds in front of more than 1,600 people.

The contest was about to begin when a car pulled up and three of the infamous Chicago Black Sox (Shoeless Joe Jackson, Ed Cicotte and Swede Risberg) got out and joined the Colchester team.

Emphasis - June 22

Rich Egger — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 01:26:20 +0000

Rich Egger's guest is Western Illinois Museum Curator Sue Scott. They talk about the museum's new exhibit Legacy of Learning: A History of Our Schools.

An opening reception will be held Saturday, June 23, 2012, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm at the museum. Scott promises there will not be a test! The exhibit remains on display until September 22, 2012.

The exhibit follows a timeline. Scott said that will help visitors follow some of the nuances of information such as changes in ordinances and laws and the types of schools.

Western Illinois Museum Revisits Original Home

Rich Egger — Sun, 20 May 2012 21:01:58 +0000

The Western Illinois Museum is making sure its own history is remembered.

The museum was first housed on the third floor of Sherman Hall at Western Illinois University, which is where a reception and fundraiser took place to celebrate the museum's roots.

The event included a presentation called Stories from the Past by Museum Board Member Jackie Thompson and another called The Museum Today by Museum Board Chair Lois Lueck. There was also a silent auction.

City Celebrates General Macomb

Rich Egger — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:56:30 +0000

(This story was written by reporter Geoff Norfleet)

This year marks the beginning of the War of 1812, and Western Illinois Museum curator Sue Scott says although there were no major battles in what was then known as the Illinois Territory, the area does have its connections to the War.

For example, Western Illinois was known as the Military Tract. Millions of acres of land had been set aside to be given to the veterans of the War of 1812. Each vet was eligible to receive 160 acres.

Emphasis - April 6

Rich Egger — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:40:38 +0000

Rich Egger's guests are Sue Scott and Nancy Crossman, who are co-founders of the Cornfed Film Fest in Macomb.

The inaugural festival will take place April 13 - 15, 2012. The Western Illinois Museum, 201 S Lafayette St will serve as the Welcome Center where you can find tickets and information.

The theme is A Festival of Firsts. It will feature student films, directorial debuts, and many other types of "firsts."

Life in Western Illinois During the Civil War

Rich Egger — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:15:01 +0000

The Western Illinois Museum's first new exhibit of the year demonstrates how day-to-day life continued in this region during one of the nation's greatest challenges.

“Home Front: Life During the Civil War” will remain in display through May 26.

Curator Sue Scott and historian Bob Welch conducted the research for the exhibit, which is divided into four sections: agriculture of the period, home life, commemorating the war's soldiers, and the underground railroad.