The Western Illinois Museum is very pleased to announce that it has been selected to receive a $24,000 grant from the Tourism Attractions and Festivals Grant Program. This is part of a $22.5 million statewide investment intended to support local festivals and attractions, and to drive tourism across Illinois. The grant is made available through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) as part of a $22.5 million investment to support nearly 90 local tourism festivals and attractions across Illinois.
The grant funds will support the improvement and relocation of the Museum’s popular indoor Our Front Porch program and exhibit space. The Museum is undertaking a multi-year capital improvement project to develop a new exhibit and program area in the underused portion of its building. Our Front Porch will be a key feature in the renovated 5,400-square-foot area that will include new windows, an HVAC system, lighting, and flooring. The capital campaign has been supported by foundations and over 200 community members who have contributed $250,000 towards the project.
As one of the Museum’s most popular attractions, Our Front Porch is designed to look like that well-loved gathering place where our history and traditions are passed on, and our culture is enjoyed together. The Our Front Porch program series has welcomed musicians, authors, and poets, and has been a place for theatrical presentations. When not hosting a public program, it is used to exhibit artifacts that would be found on a rural porch. Relocating the porch to the renovated area will increase the capacity, holding up to 300 people in a unique “old garage” area with excellent acoustics. It offers an intimate setting where presenters can connect with audiences, and have that small-town experience that tourist trends indicate travelers are seeking. Cultivating quality presenters and increasing bookings will in turn increase visitors, and revive the newly burgeoning tourism, travel, and hospitality industry in the area.
The new design will include a raised porch, open on all sides for 360-degree viewing and larger enough to accommodate multi-person presenters. Improvements will include a sound-deadening layer to the floor, electrical outlets, stage lighting, and a sound system. With the guidance of our architects, we have positioned the new porch in the area to be renovated for optimal sightlines and flexible seating options. The porch will have Victorian-era detailing found on many area porches, railings, stairs, and an ADA-compliant ramp. This enhanced program and exhibit space will be a destination for visitors and community members, playing a role in the economic development of historic downtown Macomb. The Museum plans to welcome guests to Our Front Porch in the spring of 2024.
The $22.5 million in Illinois Tourism Attractions and Festivals grants provides funding to localities, organizations, and businesses for a broad range of tourism-related improvements, events and activities. This builds upon $10 million in funding through the first round of the grant program in 2022 that was provided to 40 localities across the state. Combined with Illinois’ largest-ever tourism campaign, ‘Middle of Everything,’ Illinois is prioritizing investing in its thriving tourism industry while driving millions of visitors to choose Illinois for their next trip.
Through the $22.5 million investment, $5 million was reserved for festivals, which serve as economic drivers while bringing communities together, and $17.5 million is supporting a broad range of other tourism-related projects such as attractions, museums, live performance venues, and more. Western Illinois Museum’s application was selected for an award through a competitive process, which required demonstrating how the award would help businesses in the surrounding area, as well as the ability to attract visitors for overnight stays.
About the Western Illinois Museum
In 2002, the Museum was established as a 501(c)3 with the mission of nurturing our history and culture. In the last five years, the Museum has been transformed from a small history museum to a hub that is responsive to its community’s needs. Visitors can enjoy live music, conversations, workshops, and volunteer opportunities that are centered on the artifacts in our collection. Programs and exhibits prioritize visitor participation and engagement with a focus on how the artifacts were used by people like us. The wedding dresses, the agricultural equipment, and the radios are where the conversation starts, and a connection is built –a connection to the past and those who are right beside us.
Guests are welcome year-round and the Museum’s hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with additional evening and weekend hours when public programs are offered. The building is located at 201 S. Lafayette Street and is located one block south of Macomb’s historic district. The building is fully accessible and has ample free parking. Admission and programs are offered for free with a suggested donation of $5 at the door.