The interns that worked on the Chanute Collection over the course of 2019-2020 are happy to present digitally accessible finding aids for the collections that have been processed since the collection was obtained in 2016. These collections will be accessible to the public. If you are interested in viewing these materials, please contact the archives staff at least 48 hours ahead of time. You can digitally access the finding aids here: Chanute Collection Finding Aids. Read more about Update! Digitally Accessible Chanute Collection Finding Aids

We have talked about the many different men and women who have passed through Chanute Air Force Base and all of the great things they have accomplished. However, the man whose name the base carries is not as widely known. A renowned engineer, who would spend his later years working with notable figures like the Wright brothers, Octave Chanute's early work helped lay the foundation for human flight and the technical training that would later be achieved at Chanute Air Force Base.  Read more about Chanute Spotlight: Octave Chanute, “The God-father of Aviation”

The Urbana Free Library patrons will have FREE access to over 8 billion Find My Past records from March 2 – April 1, 2020 Read more about FREE Database Trial for 'Find My Past'

In honor of Black History Month, we want to celebrate and recognize one of the individuals who shaped Chanute Air Force Base and paved the way for future generations of African American service people in the Air Force. Read more about Tuskegee Airmen: Colonel George “Spanky” Roberts

The Champaign County Historical Archives holds over 500 historical and current local maps, plat books, and atlases.

In 1967, the British pop sensation known as The Beatles were on top of the world. They were one of the most popular and successful bands in the history of music and released critically and publicly acclaimed albums that reflected their changing style and attitudes. One of the biggest influences on the group was their trip to India in 1968 to meet with the leader of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) movement Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The group met Maharishi Yogi in 1967 during a TM seminar in Wales. This meeting was cut short due to the untimely death of The Beatles manager Brian Epstein. Throughout the remainder of 1967, group members George Harrison and John Lennon promoted TM and the teachings of Maharishi Yogi. Hoping to find spiritual guidance, The Beatles traveled to Rishikesh, India in early 1968, with Harrison and Lennon arriving first with their families, followed by other members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. The visit ended in controversy, with The Beatles denouncing Maharishi Yogi and his teachings. Some ultimately blamed this visit on the eventual breakup of the band, but it was also one of the most productive songwriting periods in their career, with the band writing nearly every track for the infamous White Album. Read more about Greetings from Chanute!: Maharishi Yogi’s Attempt to Buy Chanute Air Force Base

The Illinois Blue Book, which was first published by the Secretary of State’s office in 1900, although it has predecessors that go back to 1861, is a vital reference source for state government. The modern Illinois Blue Book contains reports and information on state government, state agencies, universities, and local municipalities, while the Blue Books in the past often included original articles about Illinois government, politics, and history. Read more about The Illinois Blue Books

Created by the Illinois General Assembly as a program of the Governor’s Council on Health and Physical Fitness and enthusiastically announced in June 1983 by Governor Jim Thompson, the Prairie State Games began with Read more about Prairie State Games: A Display of Athletic Talent

In this week’s blog post, we would like to remember and acknowledge the legacy of Major General Edwin W. Robertson who died December 18, 2019. Read more about Chanute Spotlight: Major General Edwin W. Robertson II

Central Illinois history is often intertwined with that of railroad history. The city of Champaign, along with several other Champaign County towns and villages, were formed when the Illinois Central Railroad line was constructed in the 1850s. But, what about the secret railroad network without trains or tracks that existed in the 19th century? Before the abolition of slavery in America, the Underground Railroad was a network of safe routes and houses in the United States and Canada used by African-American freedom seekers and allies to help enslaved individuals escape to free states, and sometimes to flee the country. Abolitionists and other individuals with anti-slavery sentiments provided Underground Railroad “passengers” with food, shelter, and guidance to other “stations.”