Events

The Henney Kilowatt: Bloomington's "Car of Tomorrow" with Bill Kemp at Bloomington Public Library
Thursday, June 26th | 6:00pm – 7:00pm
6:00pm – 7:00pm

Long before Rivian became one of the hottest electric automakers on the planet, the Twin Cities were center stage for another batt...

Online + In Person
Back 2 School Supply Drive
Tuesday, July 1st – Friday, August 1st | 9:00am – 5:00pm
9:00am – 5:00pm

Back 2 School Supply Drive – We Need your Help!From July 1 through August 1, 2025, the Museum will participate in the Back 2 Schoo...

Closed for the Fourth of July
Friday, July 4th | 9:00pm – 5:00pm
9:00pm – 5:00pm

The Museum and its Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center will be closed in observance of the July 4th holiday. We will ...

Route 66 First Friday Festivities
Friday, July 11th | 5:00pm – 8:00pm
5:00pm – 8:00pm

Get your kicks on Route 66 this July during the Downtown Bloomington First Friday festivities on July 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Muse...

Futures in History Mini Camp: Discovering Downtown
Monday, July 14th | 8:30am – 12:30pm
8:30am – 12:30pm
July 15th at 8:30am – 12:30pm
July 16th at 8:30am – 12:30pm

How much do you really know about historic Downtown Bloomington? Come with us as we explore the culture, history, and humans that ...

For kids
Lunch & Learn: Atlanta, Illinois - The Land of the Giants
Thursday, July 17th | 12:10pm – 1:00pm
12:10pm – 1:00pm

Bring your lunch and join us to learn about the history of fairs in McLean County on Thursday, July 17, from 12:10 to 1:00 p.m. wi...

Lunch & Learn
Online + In Person
Futures in History Mini Camp: Curious Curators
Monday, July 21st | 8:30am – 12:30pm
8:30am – 12:30pm
July 22nd at 8:30am – 12:30pm
July 23rd at 8:30am – 12:30pm

Learn about museums from the professionals at the McLean County Museum of History! Participants will get a behind-the-scenes look ...

For kids
PRIDE Fest
Saturday, July 26th | 4:00pm – 10:00pm
4:00pm – 10:00pm

The Bistro's seventh annual PRIDE Fest will be on Saturday, July 26, 2025, from 4-10 p.m. around the Museum Square and outsid...

History Reads Book Club: Reasonable Doubt - An Evening with Steve Vogel
Tuesday, August 5th | 7:00pm – 8:00pm
7:00pm – 8:00pm

The History Reads Book Club and True Crime Book Club are pleased to host an evening talk with Steve Vogel -- author of Reasonable ...

History Reads Book Club
Lunch & Learn: A Fair to Remember - The History of McLean County Fairs
Thursday, August 14th | 12:10pm – 1:00pm
12:10pm – 1:00pm

Bring your lunch and join us to learn about the history of fairs in McLean County on Thursday, August 14, from 12:10 to 1:00 p.m. ...

Lunch & Learn
Online + In Person
Knit In at the Museum
Saturday, August 16th | 10:00am – 1:00pm
10:00am – 1:00pm

Calling ALL Knitters and Crocheters, grab your needles and hooks, some yarn, a friend or two, and come and knit for a bit!The thir...

Downtown Bloomington Architecture Tour with Candace Summers
Thursday, August 21st | 5:30pm – 7:00pm
5:30pm – 7:00pm

Many of the buildings in downtown Bloomington are 100-plus years old, and each has a story to tell -- if you know where to look. J...

Museum and Visitors Center Closed for Labor Day
Monday, September 1st | 9:00am – 5:00pm
9:00am – 5:00pm

The Museum and Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center will be closed in observance of Labor Day. We will reopen on Tuesd...

Lunch & Learn: Embracing the Journey: Understanding the Role of an End-of-Life Doula and the Power of Death Cafes
Thursday, September 11th | 12:10pm – 1:00pm
12:10pm – 1:00pm

Bring your lunch and join us to learn about what a End-of-Life doula is and the power of death cafes on Thursday, September 11, fr...

Lunch & Learn
Online + In Person
Mourning in McLean: The Story of Death, Grieving, and Funerary Customs in McLean County
Monday, September 15th – Friday, November 21st | 9:00am
9:00am

Death is one of the only guarantees in life.In early U.S. history, death was a more frequent occurrence, arriving through disease,...

100 Years of COUNTRY Financial: Making a Home in the Twin Cities with Bill Kemp
Tuesday, September 16th | 6:30pm – 7:30pm
6:30pm – 7:30pm

Join Museum Librarian Bill Kemp for a program celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of COUNTRY Financial. This free pu...

Online + In Person
Dine with the Dead: Cemetery Customs and Traditions of Days Gone By
Saturday, October 4th | 11:00am – 1:00pm
11:00am – 1:00pm

Dine with the Dead: Cemetery Customs and Traditions of Days Gone ByEnjoying a picnic in a cemetery was not always a taboo activity...

Lunch & Learn: Preserving and Celebrating 100 Years with COUNTRY Financial
Thursday, October 9th | 12:10pm – 1:00pm
12:10pm – 1:00pm

Bring your lunch and join us to learn about COUNTRY Financial, who is celebrating their 100th anniversary this year, on Thursday, ...

Online + In Person
Lunch & Learn
Free Admission in Honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day
Monday, October 13th | 9:00am – 5:00pm
9:00am – 5:00pm

Enjoy free admission all day on Monday, October 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day...

Cole Pulice presented by pt.fwd
Tuesday, October 21st | 6:30pm – 8:00pm
6:30pm – 8:00pm

The Museum, in partnership with pt.fwd, is excited present saxophonist, composer and improviser Cole Pulice. This free concert wil...

Día de Muertos
Saturday, November 1st | 3:00pm – 7:00pm
3:00pm – 7:00pm

Save the date for our annual Día de Muertos Celebration on Saturday, November 1, 2025, tentatively scheduled from 3 to 7 p.m. We a...

History Reads Book Club | Burning of the World: The Great Chicago Fire and the War for a City's Soul
Tuesday, November 4th | 7:00pm – 8:00pm
7:00pm – 8:00pm

All are welcome to join the Museum and Bloomington Public Library on Tuesday, November 4 at 7:00 p.m. for the final History Reads ...

History Reads Book Club
Online + In Person
Knit In at Normal Public Library
Saturday, November 8th | 10:00am – 1:00pm
10:00am – 1:00pm

Calling ALL Knitters and Crocheters, grab your needles and hooks, some yarn, a friend or two, and come and knit for a bit!The fina...

Free Admission in Honor of Veterans' Day
Tuesday, November 11th | 9:00am – 5:00pm
9:00am – 5:00pm

In honor of Veterans' Day, Museum admission will be free for all from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m....

Lunch & Learn: The Wizard of Oz in Illinois and Beyond
Thursday, November 13th | 12:10pm – 1:00pm
12:10pm – 1:00pm

Bring your lunch and join us to learn about the Wizard of Oz's connection to McLean County and Illinois on Thursday, November...

Lunch & Learn
Online + In Person
Closed for Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 27th | 9:00am – 5:00am
9:00am – 5:00am

The Museum and its Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving. We will reopen o...

Closed for Christmas
Wednesday, December 24th – Thursday, December 25th | 9:00am – 5:00pm
9:00am – 5:00pm

The Museum and its Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center & Gift Shop will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas ...

Closed for New Years
Wednesday, December 31st – Thursday, January 1st | 9:00pm – 5:00pm
9:00pm – 5:00pm

The Museum and its Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center & Gift Shop will be closed all day New Years Eve and New Y...

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