Children's Theatre, Inc. of Champaign-Urbana
The Children’s Theatre, Inc. (CTI) of Champaign-Urbana was established in 1938 as a community group to support children’s theatre and education in the arts.
The Snowiest Time of the Year
1977,1978 and 1979 were particularly snowy years in Champaign County.
1977 got off to a cold and snowy start. Throughout the month of January, record low temperatures closed schools across the county, and ice and snow drifts made many country roads impassable. By months end, fuel reserves throughout the state were depleted, prompting many to worry about remaining warm (Courier, January 27, 1977).
Urbana’s First Santa and The Urbana Free Library
To all the young at heart, I have a secret for you, published in the Champaign County Genealogical Society’s Quarterly is the identity of Santa Claus…
Snow Days at Chanute
The Chanute Collection includes photographs of Chanuters finding creative ways to survive the snowy winters while stationed in Rantoul.
Archives Bazaar November 4th!
In addition to all the entertainment The Urbana Free Library is hosting during the 9th Annual C-U Folk and Roots Festival this coming weekend, the Champaign County Historical Archives is excited to get in on the fun by hosting the First Annual Archives Bazaar!
Using FamilySearch Records
On January 6, 2011 the Champaign County Historical Archives (CCHA) became an Affiliate Library of FamilySearch’s Research and Library System. This allowed patrons to order microfilm from FamilySearch and have it sent to CCHA for viewing.
FamilySearch discontinued its microfilm circulation services on September 7, 2017 and has replaced it with digital access. Over 1.5 million microfilm have been digitized by FamilySearch, with additional films being scanned at a rate of 1000 films per day. They hope to have the digitization completed by the end of 2020.
Happy #AskAnArchivist Day!
Did you know that October 4th is Ask An Archivist Day?
Newspapers: Print, Microfilm, and Digital
You may already know that the Champaign County Historical Archives has a large collection of local newspapers from 1852 to the present day. In addition to well-known popular publications like the News-Gazette, Courier, and Daily Illini, we also have microfilm copies of papers from smaller communities, such as the Homer Enterprise and the Tolono Herald. If you're looking for news from one of CU's independent presses, like the Spectrum, Sidewinder, or Octopus, we have print copies available for perusal in the reading room.
Name this Plane!
Can you identify the following aircraft that were flown at Chanute field? (Find the answer by clicking on each image)
Number 1
FamilySearch has extended its microfilm order deadline
Last month FamilySearch announced it was discontinuing its microfilm loan program and set an order deadline of August 31, 2017. Due to system outages during the week of August 20, 2017 FamilySearch has decided to extend circulation an additional week. The new order deadline is September 7, 2017.
History Mystery: CU’s Coffee Pot Restaurant
We get a lot of interesting questions through our Ask an Archivist service, where anyone can call, write, or email their queries about Champaign County history. Recently, I received a fun question that read, in part:
Can you help me, please?
A happy accident, the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America
The worst acronym award has to be granted to SPEBSQSA or the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America. I stumbled across a photograph envelope with this weighty society name one afternoon and immediately had to look inside. What I found did not disappoint.
Janet Anderson: Community Leader
Archives staff was saddened by the death of Janet Anderson, a community leader and activist, last weekend. Ms. Anderson served the public in numerous capacities: she worked as a nurse at Carle and Burnham Hospitals, participated in numerous groups promoting public health initiatives, and served on various boards, including the Champaign County Board, from 2000-2012. Her work with community groups like the League of Women Voters and Champaign County Health Care Consumers earned her numerous awards lauding her leadership and social action.
The Circus Comes to Town!
The circus was a favorite summer pastime for residents of Champaign County in the early 20th-century. The Hagenbeck Trained Animal Show visited Champaign County on two occasions in 1905 and 1906. Residents came from all over to see shows and parades featuring exotic animals such as bears and elephants.
Chanute through the Decades
The Chanute Collection contains 8 folders and one oversized box of aerial photographs. The photographs were taken of the base throughout its entire operation from 1917-1993. Viewing photographs from the following decades show how Chanute transformed over the years:
Chanute Air Force Base in the early 1920sView of the field with the village of Rantoul behind it, looking northwest.
Virginia Lovingfoss, 1914-2017, Volunteer Extraordinaire
The Archives is sad to announce that longtime volunteer Virginia Lovingfoss passed away July 19, 2017 just a month shy of her 103rd birthday. She began volunteering at the Archives in 1986 and only ‘retired’ from her volunteer activities after she turned 100.