McLean County Museum Of History

On October 28, 1934, the airport that would become Central Illinois Regional Airport was dedicated. A crowd estimated at 60,000 came to see the airshow and speech from the governor.

The program, focusing on the phrase “Life and Liberty,” was at the McLean County Museum of History and is part of the Democracy Dialogues series of public discussions this year, marking the museum’s celebration of America 250.

For the first 100 years of Bloomington history, water was scarce. In 1929, the formation of Lake Bloomington began after periods of drought, contamination and scarcity of safe drinking water.

U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Richard Durbin and former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood will kick off a “Democracy Dialogues” series on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at 7 p.m. in Illinois State University’s Braden Auditorium at the Bone Student Center. This free, all-ages-welcome event is hosted by the McLean County Museum of History in collaboration with Illinois State University, WGLT, the Dirksen Congressional Center, and other community partners.

Last May, the grassroots advocacy group commissioned an artist to paint 15 circus-themed murals connecting the Bloomington Public Library and the McLean County Museum of History. The member organization will do the same thing this summer to celebrate the centennial of Route 66.

During the Great Depression the federal government tried to stimulate the economy by funding a variety of buildings and programs. Inside the 1936 WPA post office in Normal is a 1938 oil on canvas mural, a salute to the community, to human achievement, and to the importance of beauty in public spaces.

If you want a sudsy taste of history, here's your chance: The McLean County Museum of History is partnering with Bloomington microbrewer Casper to honor the community's longest continuously operating (and now defunct) brewery.

It has been many decades since Downtown Bloomington was the premier destination for shoppers in the community. There was a time, though, when there were four large department stores downtown.

Monsignor Doug Hennessy, a Catholic priest known for his kindness, his work in the civil rights era, and a half-century of service to the people of Central Illinois, has died at age 87.

Returning from a statewide arts and humanities conference, leaders from Bloomington-Normal's cultural organizations recommit to working together.