The Great Urbana Fire of 1871
During the same year as the Great Chicago Fire, Urbana also experienced its own tragic blaze.
A Dollop of Sunshine
Sunflowers say "summer" like no other plant, so as we start the transition into fall here is one more look at summer in all her glory.
Urbana-Champaign Reads
September 8th is International Literacy Day. First celebrated in 1966, this annual day of action highlights the importance of literacy to individuals, communities, and societies.
Camera Crew from KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh focuses on Garden Hills Elementary School Reading Club, April 5, 1986
#TBT 30 Years Ago at the Wilbur Mansion
Historical wedding dresses from 1860-1920s on display at the Champaign County Historical Museum located in the Wilber Mansion. Pictured left to right are Judy Kaufman (in her 1957 wedding gown), Susan Chalifoux (in an 1890 wedding gown from the museum's collection), and Laurie McCarthy (in her 1980 wedding gown).
Are You A Musician?
The caption under the photo claims what science has proven to be true - "Music helps wonderfully!" These Aviation Mechanics Band members were photographed at Chanute Field, Rantoul, IL, sometime around 1917. Visit the Champaign County Historical Archives to view the original and many more historic photos of Chanute Field.
The Summertime Staple: The Urbana Sweetcorn Festival!
This weekend is the 40th Annual Urbana Sweetcorn Festival. In honor of that occasion the Archives wants to share a few pictures of the Midwest delicacy.
Love is in the August Air
August is Romance Awareness month, so show your love of local history by stopping by the Champaign County Historical Archives. We have an array of books, LP’s, vertical files and much more to smitten all history lovers!
#TBT Broom Corn Factory, Arcola, Ill.
Central Illinois' annual Broom Corn Festival will be held in downtown Arcola, Illinois this year September 11-13.
Cooking with Local Flavor: Community Cookbooks in the Archives
The Urbana Free Library has a very popular cookbook collection, but did you know the Champaign County Historical Archives has its own collection of over 100 local cookbooks compiled by local organizations, schools, libraries, churches, and various societies? If you would like access to these fantastic cookbooks with local flavor, just ask our staff at the Archives front desk!
Meet Bing - Chanute Field's Parachuting Dog
Meet Bing the official mascot of the Air Service Mechanic's School at Chanute Field dated November 3, 1921.
Flag of Earth
Flags have been in the news lately, and the nation has been contemplating the power of symbols to unite and divide. One Champaign County resident, James Cadle, understood this dichotomy perfectly and in 1970 created a flag for the Earth, free from all “political, cultural, or geographical commitments,” truly a flag for all humankind.
The Flag of Earth depicts very simply the yellow Sun, the blue Earth, the white Moon, and the blackness of Space.
Smiley Burnett in a Garage Band?
I thought I had discovered the predecessors to the 1960’s “garage bands” when I came across this photo, undated but probably from the late 1920’s or early 1930’s, of the J.F. Lorch Garage Entertainers.
Cancer Positively Cured; No Knife Used; Safety and Permanency Assured
Sometimes, ideas for blog posts are sitting on the desk just waiting to be written about! This tiny, 8-page pamphlet advertising Dr. M. Brandom was found among photos and ephemera in a box being processed by Norma B.
What’s Playing at the Drive-In?
Drive-In movie theaters hold a special place in American history and hold very fond memories for teenagers growing up in the 1950’s. With the novelty of being able to drive up to a movie, struggling to fit all your friends into the back seat of your car and watch the latest hit out of Hollywood, the Drive-In was pure magic.
Champaign and Urbana have been home to several wonderful theaters and by the 1950’s could boast to having two Drive-Ins.
New Exhibit: Champaign County and the Influenza Pandemic of 1918
Stop by the second floor of the Urbana Free Library to see the new Champaign County Historical Archives exhibit called "Champaign County and the Influenza Pandemic of 1918" on display now!
The H1N1 virus (above) was behind the flu pandemic of 1918.
What Does That Say? The Obstacles of Reading and Understanding Early American Writings
It’s easy to forget in this day and age when everything is typed and delivered electronically that handwriting was once considered an art. However, in the Archives we are fortunate enough to possess thousands of records written in longhand.
Pickin' & Grinnin'
Sometimes you stumble upon a photograph that brightens your entire day. This one was mine a few weeks ago.
So infectious are those grins.
Champaign Fire Department Turns 150!
This month the Champaign Fire Department is celebrating its 150th Anniversary (1865-2015) and they will be observing the occasion with a parade and a Fire Muster this coming Sunday, July 19, 2015.
Part of the activities that day will be a mobile history museum of the Champaign Fire Department. Here at the Archives we thought we would get the commemorative ball rolling with some historical pictures from our collection.