Yesterday marked the 150th anniversary of the surrender of Vicksburg, Mississippi to the Union armies commanded by Ulysses S. Grant during the American Civil War. It was a seminal moment: the Confederacy was now split in two and commerce could once again flow from the farms of the Midwest down the Mississippi River virtually unimpeded. Read more about "I wish you were here if only for a short time."

Two collections have recently been processed and are now fully accessible at the Champaign County Historical Archives of The Urbana Free Library.

The Champaign Urbana Woman’s Club Read more about Recently Processed Collections

A sharped eyed staff member spied this image from our collections: 

Apparently, sightings of unexplained phenomena and Unidentified Flying Objects are not uncommon here, as this June 6, 1969 article from the front page of the Urbana Courier relates. Read more about Alien Visitors ... to Urbana?

  Read more about Urbana May day celebration

Read more about Soundex and the day-to-day

By the middle of the nineteenth century, New York City was teaming with new immigrants, with more coming every day. These new families often found themselves in dire circumstances, surrounded by poverty and disease. As a result, many children ended up without parents, orphaned and left wandering the streets. The plight of these children did not go unnoticed, and soon several orphanages and aid societies developed to assist them. Read more about Riding the Rails to a New Life: The Orphan Trains

CLEAN UP.

A person cannot help Read more about And You Thought Your Spring Cleaning was Tough!

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of Urbana native, and esteemed film critic, Roger Ebert.

Roger Joseph Ebert, was born on June 18, 1942, in Urbana, Ill. He attended Urbana High School and the University of Illinois. Read more about Roger Ebert, Legendary film critic and Urbana native, dies at 70.

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of Mrs. Erma Bridgewater.  

Services to celebrate her life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 6, at the Bethel A.M.E. Church with the Rev. Larry Lewis officiating. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the church. Read more about Erma Bridgewater 1913-2013

Beginning in April, our monthly Research Nights will frequently feature discussions and demonstrations on special topics.

Research Nights are open to the public. There is no charge or registration required. We look forward to seeing you!

April 10, 2013 - SPECIAL TOPIC: PERSI (Periodical Source Index) Read more about Research Nights at the Archives – Now enhanced with special topics!