By Sue Scott, Executive Director
As I begin my 16th year as the Executive Director of the Western Illinois Museum, I find myself reflecting on the past. Recently, I spent time poring over images of the building that has been our home for the last 24 years. The changes it has undergone are remarkable. This building has been a place where dreams took shape—whether it was someone buying their first car at the long-standing Macomb Motors, envisioning the freedom that ownership would bring, or our Museum’s board dreaming of a space to house the community’s history and bring people together.
One of the most challenging responsibilities of a museum is deciphering memories to decide what to preserve. As stewards of history, we rely on the stories and experiences of those who lived it to understand its significance. Preserving this building is no different. We’ve collected over 25 oral histories, each one a testament to the lives touched by this place. One of my favorite stories is about an early owner of Macomb Motors, James E. Trapp, who would drive cars out to farms, teaching farmers to drive, often leading to a sale. It’s a small but powerful example of Trapp’s innovation and how this building has been woven into so many lives.
Anniversaries also remind me of the people who have been by my side over the years, many of whom are deeply missed. A building, much like an artifact, can hold history. Over the past 16 years, I’ve come to realize that we need a gathering place where everyone is welcome to share that history. We have come to rely on the community to play a role in deciding what should be preserved, adding their stories to what can be learned from the items in our collection. Both sharing these stories and listening to them are what make public history such a generous endeavor. This learning through shared experiences truly connects us to each other and to this place.