LaSalle County Historical Society Museum

06/17/2026

Get your Burgoo 50/50 ticket!

Wondering where to grab a Burgoo 50/50 ticket?

06/15/2026

The Blacksmith Shop is open today and tomorrow from 10-3. Stop in before or after lunch and Ian will teach you all about the art of Blacksmithing.

06/14/2026

On this Flag Day, check out some of the flags in the LaSalle County Historical Society Museum.

06/14/2026

You don’t need a boyfriend this summer. Hang out with us here at the Museum. There are lots of things that start with a “B” …bells and boats and Wild Bill Hickock!!!

06/13/2026

On this day in 1932, Robert Emmett “Bob” McGrath was born in Ottawa, IL. He showed an interest and talent in music from a young age and performed alongside his mother on piano. He attended the Roxy’s theatre amateur program and would compete in various talent shows, winning the NBC radio talent show at just 9.

After graduating from Marquette High School, Bob McGrath would enroll at the University of Michigan, where he would study music. There he also met David Connell, a connection that would have a great impact on his later career. After graduating UM in 1954, Bob was inducted into the United States Army, where he would be stationed in Germany, performing with the Seventh Army Symphony Orchestra.

David Connell became the executive producer of a new show called Sesame Street. He thought Bob would make a perfect human character resident. The sample segments of Sesame Street Connell showed Bob impressed him greatly. He auditioned and was cast as Bob Johnson. This would turn out to be his best-known work. The role was one of the longest-running human characters on the show and was played by McGrath consistently from 1969 to 2016 in over 200 episodes. Bob’s production company, Bob’s Kids Music, recorded albums and Sesame Street audio book readings. McGrath also wrote children’s books like “OOPS! Excuse Me Please!”.

In 2016, the show decided to rework itself, and Bob Johnson would be largely retired from Sesame Street. McGrath appeared occasionally, particularly for anniversaries or special events. He left behind a sprawling legacy of international musical accomplishment and children’s television entertainment. He passed away on December 4th, 2022. To learn more, please visit the Lasalle County Historical Society and see our exhibit on the beloved Bob McGrath.

Lasalle County Historical Society's Heritage Center
208 S. Clark
Utica, IL.

06/11/2026

Want to win $1,000??? Here's your chance. Get your Burgoo 50/50 tickets before the Early Bird Drawing at the Utica Fire Protection District Car Show on June 27th.

06/11/2026

The Blacksmith Shop will be open 10-3 this Sunday. Stop by and see Ian at work. The Shop is located behind Lodi Tap House in downtown Utica.

06/11/2026

Check out the new exhibit upstairs in the Heritage Center all about our State Parks.

06/10/2026

Chris Freiler is publishing a three-part essay series titled "What the Ground Remembers," on the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858. The series is not a survey - it is an argument for why these exchanges still matter. Part 1 is out now, look for parts 2 and 3 over the next few weeks.

02/27/2026

Two great (and different) programs at two great venues! Mark Walcyznski, Starved Rock historian and author, will be presenting at the Starved Rock State Park Visitors Center on March 14 at 1pm.
He will then hit the road and be presenting with us a separate program on May 3! If you love local park history these programs are a must!

Attention nature lovers, history buffs, and fans of Starved Rock State Park, historian and author Mark Walczynski will be presenting a program at the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center at 1:00 pm on March 14 entitled Exploring Starved Rock's Past.

This is a different program from the one he will be presenting in May at the LaSalle County Historical Society. Both great programs but different themes, locations, and dates.

C'mon out. We'd love to see you!

Exploring Starved Rock’s Past
Date: March 14, 2026
Start Time: 1:00 PM

Discover the turn of the 20th century events that created the foundation for the second state park in Illinois-Starved Rock State Park, with historian and author Mark Walczynski.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center
Starved Rock Foundation