Bloomington IL, August 4, 2026:
McLean County residents have the opportunity to add their stories to the Library of Congress by participating in a recording session at the McLean County Museum of History on Saturday, August 8, during the Downtown Bloomington Farmers Market.
The museum is participating in Illinois Voices 250, a project led by Illinois Humanities in partnership with the Illinois America 250 Commission and StoryCorps Studios. A recording booth will be set up on the Museum Plaza, located on Washington St. from 8 a.m. to noon.
This initiative is recording conversations in all 102 Illinois counties for the nation’s 250th anniversary. Participants engage in one-on-one conversations reflecting on their experiences and perspectives. Doing so preserves the voices of everyday Illinoisans: who we are, what we care about, and what we think is important about this moment in history.
“As an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, educating, and collaborating to share the diverse stories of the people of McLean County, this initiative aligns squarely with our mission,” says Executive Director Julie Emig. “We’re excited to host this once in a lifetime opportunity and look forward to the stories that will bloom from it.”
The conversations recorded on Saturday will be preserved in a special collection at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress for future generations. Participation is free, and a do-it-yourself recording option is also available online at ILHumanities.org/ILVoices250.
The McLean County Museum of History is a nationally accredited, award-winning museum. As an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit, the museum preserves, educates, and collaborates to share the diverse stories of the people of McLean County. Please visit mchistory.org for more information.
Illinois Humanities is a statewide nonprofit organization that activates the humanities through free public programs, grants, and educational opportunities that spark conversation, foster reflection, build community, and strengthen civic engagement for everyone in Illinois. Visit ilhumanities.org to learn more.
StoryCorps is committed to the idea that everyone has an important story to tell and that everyone’s story matters. Their mission is to help us believe in each other by illuminating the humanity and possibility in us all — one story at a time. Since 2003, StoryCorps has helped over 700,000 people across the country have meaningful conversations about their lives. These recordings are collected in the U.S. Library of Congress and in an online archive which is now the largest single collection of human voices ever gathered. StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit, sharing select stories with the public through weekly broadcasts, a podcast, animated shorts, digital platforms, and best-selling books. Please visit storycorps.org for more information.
Illinois America 250 is an inclusive, statewide effort that uplifts local stories, places and programs, builds pride and showcases how Illinoisans bring the ideals of the Declaration of Independence to life. Visit il250.org to learn more.
