Champaign County History Museum

09/04/2026

We're only a day away from our second-to-last Haunts and Legends Tour at the University of Illinois! We only have eight tickets left, and our October 30th tour is sold out so this is your last chance this year to explore tall tales and spooky rumors on campus.
Buy your tickets before its too late:
https://secure.champaigncountyhistory.org/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F32341

09/03/2026

Wilber is at Jack Armstrong's Tavern at 703 N. Prospect Ave. in Champaign. The building opened as a grocery store in 1927 and passed through a few hands before becoming Bill Armstrong's Tavern, a family-owned bar. It was then sold to Bill's son, Jack, and remained in family hands. The building remains in use as a bar today, more recently as Neighbors at the Ice House and currently as The Box Car. What memories do you have of this local drinking spot?

09/02/2026

Wilber is visiting an old bar in town. Which bar is he at this week? If you think you know the answer, make your guess in the comments below!

08/29/2026

Our second-to-last Haunts and Legends tour at the University of Illinois is nearly upon us! Join us next Saturday at 1pm to explore fantastical true stories, tall tales, and spooky rumors students pass down from one generation to the next. Our last Haunts and Legends Tour on October 30th is already sold out, so if you'd like to join this tour, September 5th will be your last chance. Get your tickets before it's too late!
Buy your tickets:
https://secure.champaigncountyhistory.org/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F32341

08/27/2026

Wilber is at the Neil Street Pedestrian Mall at the corner of Neil and Park Streets. The mall was considered three times: in 1959 when Country Fair opened, in 1964 when Lincoln Square opened, and in 1972 when Market Place Mall opened. It was built to keep businesses in downtown Champaign. The open-air mall opened on May 2, 1975. The mall was welcomed by local community members initially, but decreased traffic hit local businesses. By 1981, people were advocating for the mall to be removed. IT was short-lived and removed on November 28, 1986.

08/26/2026

Wilber is wrapping up the month downtown. Can you guess where Wilber is this week? Make your guess in the comments below.

08/22/2026

The History Museum will be opening late today for our Historic Walking Tour of downtown Champaign. We will be open by noon. We still have a few tickets left if you'd like to join us to learn more about the history of our community! Special thanks to tour sponsor Meyer Capel for making our walking tours possible. Buy your tickets:
https://secure.champaigncountyhistory.org/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F32344

08/21/2026

Do you want to learn more about the history of our community? There are still a few tickets left for our Historic Buildings Tour of Downtown Champaign this Saturday at 10am. Join us to explore the history of our community, including the railroad, entertainment, and business. Buy your tickets:

08/20/2026

The history museum is closing down early for our virtual history talk tonight at 7pm. Join us as we welcome the curator of history at the Illinois State Museum, Erika Holst, as she explores the history of our state through artifacts in their collection. Join via the Zoom link below:

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