For the month of February to commemorate Black History Month, we here at the Champaign County Historical Archives will use this space to highlight the history and contributions of the African-American community of Champaign County.

One of the resources available to us is our Photo Atlas application. It allows us to place historical images in their geo-spacial context on the map. Additionally, audio-visual content can be attached to the description as well. Read more about Historically Black Champaign-Urbana

From the Urbana Courier-Herald, Thursday, January 2, 1913:

MANY WATCH NEW YEAR COME IN                                                            

Parties Are Popular in Urbana on Tuesday Evening — Odd Fellows Have Meeting. — Circle Meets. Read more about Happy New Year, 1913!

Corner of Green Street and Wright Street, Champaign, looking east, ca. 1940's. Read more about Happy Holidays!

Springfield Avenue looking east, January 24, 1979

We were struck by the recent change in the weather brought the wind and snow storm of last week. Compared to other events in Champaign County's past, this one was pretty mild. Consider: the Blue Norther of 1836. Read more about The Blue Norther of 1836

We here at the archives were thrilled to learned of the partial reopening of the Urbana Landmark Hotel (the former Urbana Lincoln Hotel) this weekend. With this new beginning, we thought this would be a good time to recount just how this local landmark came to be. Read more about How Urbana Got a Hotel

We are pleased to announce the schedule for the Spring 2013 Local History & Genealogy Workshop Series held in conjunction with Parkland College!

Take a look and see if something piques your interest, and then register using the Parkland College Registration Form or by calling Parkland College at 217/353-2055.

We'll see you this Spring! Read more about Spring 2013 Local History & Genealogy Workshop Series

As we wind down another contentious campaign season, it's worth remembering that Champaign and Urbana served as campaign stops for several candidates battling for the White House over the years. Here then are just a few images from Champaign-Urbana's political past.

Read more about But will it play in C-U?

Homecoming football game, October 19, 1963, University of Illinois vs. University of Minnesota (Illinois won, 16-6).

  Read more about Go Illini!

Welcome to the new location for the Local History and Genealogy blog, What's Past is Present! We look forward to using this space to discuss local history, highlight materials from our collections, and present library and community events. To read the archives of our older blog entries, please visit our previous blog site, located here: http://whatspastispresent.blogspot.com/. Read more about Welcome!