Ice Skating on Crystal Lake, Urbana
Waiting for Crystal Lake in Urbana to freeze over used to be a much anticipated winter activity in the Urbana-Champaign area, dating back to the late nineteenth century. The article below appeared in the December 12, 1898 edition of the Champaign Daily News:
Celebrating the right to vote
In honor of Halloween and the upcoming presidential election, the Archives staff dressed our departmental pumpkin as Susan B. Anthony.
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."