What Made 2024 Meaningful
As the year comes to a close, this season of celebration and reflection provides an opportunity for us to look back at the past year. As the Director, my responsibilities include preparing reports, crafting budgets, and managing taxes. It is easy to measure success through numbers alone—and we certainly have some impressive ones to share—but at the Western Illinois Museum, we value curiosity and connection. How do we quantify those? Let me share a few numbers and stories that highlight our year.
By the Numbers:
- 73 public programs held at the Museum, compared to 63 in 2023
- 7 outreach programs, including the Adopt-a-Classroom initiative and presentations to local groups
- 255 artists who presented programs, shared music or led workshops
- $117,000 raised for capital improvements
- $88,800 in grant funding spent locally
- 4,600 visitors, including 440 school-age children
- 131 hours of public programming
- 36 volunteers, who contributed a total of 1,044 hours
Stories Behind the Numbers:
Looking beyond these impressive figures, the stories they represent show how we connect people with their history and with each other. This year, we began asking donors to schedule appointments to share their stories and the histories behind the items they wished to contribute. This approach has allowed us to build richer narratives around our collection.
For example, the Wettengel family donated several significant items this year, including a cobbler’s bench and a spinning wheel brought to McDonough County by Austrian immigrants who settled in Colchester. These items passed down through generations, were recently returned to the area by Kurt Wettengel and his wife, Christi Prado Wettengel, who traveled from Oklahoma to donate them to the Museum. During their visit, our collections manager, Karen Mencel, scanned and created digital copies of archival materials—such as Peonydale business documents and photographs—that the family wanted to keep. This process ensures that the stories behind these artifacts remain accessible and contextualized for future generations.
Building a Welcoming Space:
This year, our renovation efforts focused on transforming the Museum into a welcoming, comfortable space that supports diverse programming. The new Our Front Porch area has become an ideal venue for community conversations, hosting discussions ranging from the stories of the Thorpe Family and author Ron Morrow to the critical work of prairie restoration. Workshops like creating Victorian Valentines or crafting corn husk dolls have sparked curiosity about different eras while encouraging active participation. Whether hosting lively discussions or casual gatherings, the renovated garage area is fulfilling its purpose: fostering meaningful interactions that strengthen our community.
Small Signs of Progress:
Sometimes, the smallest gestures speak volumes. On Giving Tuesday, five supporters personally delivered their contributions to the Museum. This act of engagement reflects the strong relationships we’ve built with our community and highlights the importance of transparency in how we use your contributions. On behalf of myself and the Museum’s Board of Directors, I want to express our gratitude for every donation, large or small. Your trust in our work and shared belief in our vision affirm its importance and relevance to our community.
Looking Ahead:
While we will continue to report our accomplishments through numbers, we will also emphasize the relationships we cultivate, the curiosity we inspire, and the connections we build -together offering a holistic picture of success aligned with our mission
Thank you for being part of our journey. Together, we look forward to another year of curiosity, connection, and community.