19th Century Seance in Urbana
In the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries, spiritualism, the belief that the dead could communicate with the living, especially through a medium, gained popularity and renown. It was a movement that garnered ardent enthusiasm from its followers, including author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and psychologist William James, among others; and was lambasted by its detractors, such as novelist Mark Twain and magician Harry Houdini.
New Exhibit: "Window to the Past: The Everett C. Block Collection"
The Everett C. Block Collection, donated to the Champaign County Historical Archives in 2014, contains 254 glass plate negatives that document the families, houses, and farms of southeast Champaign County circa 1900-1905. Everett Block was not the original photographer of these glass plate negatives; however, he was the person who had the foresight to save, research, and share these pieces of history with others.
Archives Visitors
The Champaign County Historical Archives loves its young visitors! A few weeks ago, Miss Tiffany brought Leal School fourth graders to the Archives to show them what kind of treasures we have.
Oral History with Anh Ha Ho
Last Saturday, September 24, 2016, the Champaign-Urbana Immigration Forum held its 3rd Annual Immigrant Welcome Awards at The Urbana Free Library. There former Library board member Anh Ha Ho was honored with the 2016 Leadership Award.
The Great Pumpkin State
Taken from the Champaign-Urbana Courier, October 31, 1977
Did you know? Though Illinois is well known for producing corn, wheat, and soybeans, the Land of Lincoln grows more pumpkins than any other state.
Harvest season has arrived
It is no secret that here in Champaign County, harvest season has begun. Just drive past The Andersons on North Staley Road at the end of your workday to marvel at the number of grain filled trucks waiting to unload their bounty.
Our Ancestors Were Just Like Us
Don’t let the sepia tones fool you. Our ancestors were not all that different from ourselves.
They dressed their children in silly outfits and placed them on cute animals.
They took pictures of their food.
The Champaign County Historical Archives Hours are Changing
Earlier this year, the Champaign County Historical Archives measured public use during all service hours to assess whether the current schedule met the needs of the public. The three-month survey showed a distinct demand for afternoon hours.
At the recommendation of the Archives staff, the Board of Trustees of the Library voted on August 9, 2016 to change the Archives hours of service.
Summer Corn
With the Urbana Sweetcorn Festival happening this weekend the Archives would like to offer an ode to corn in picture form.
Chanute: Daily Life on the Rantoul AFB
Interested in what the Archives staff are uncovering in the Chanute Collection? We thought you might be. Here is a sampling of pictures showing the daily life of the men and women who lived and worked at Chanute during its 76 years of operation.
- Sherrie, Archives Librarian
The Champaign County Connection: the Olympics
Friday marked the opening of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio.
Jean Driscoll at the Tribute to the Olympics, date unknown
Got Milk?
"Dear Milkman: My daughter says she wants a milkshake. Do you do it before you deliver or do I have to shake the bottle."
Did someone say goat…
Some days you just need a picture of a baby goat. If this is one of those days for you than please enjoy this picture from the Archives.
Sharpest Pencils in the Cup
100 years ago on this day (July 12), the above ad ran in the Courier. It caught my eye initially because of the spelling error (editor missed the "t" in Knowlton), but it also reminded me that some designs truly have endured. The bottom photo is the sharpener in the Archives, probably quite similar to the one described in the ad. After many attempts with an electric sharpener, the department went back to an old, reliable manual model a couple years ago. (Thanks, Becky B.!)
#TBT Moving Day
Photograph of a Greek Revival Cottage being moved down University Avenue. Taken May 19, 1977, part of the Greek Revival Collection.
The Neighborhood Drugstore
Interior of A.P. Cunningham and Sons Drugstore, Champaign circa 1890