The McLean County Museum of History traces it roots back to 1892, the year the McLean County Historical Society was founded. It is a nationally accredited award winning museum with 5 permanent exhibit galleries and 3 rotating galleries.
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 nation wide.
The museum is also home to the new Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center. Entrance to both facilities is on the ground floor off the East 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 which serve people of all ages.
The museum features seven exhibit galleries, preserves 19,000 objects, makes available more than 11,500 rare and hard to find reference books, manages 1,700 feet of historical papers and images in it archives.
The museum has won over a dozen state and national competitive awards for its exhibits, educational programs and publications since 1991.
The 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.
