The Western Illinois Museum is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $130,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) Tourism Attractions Grant Program. This grant is part of a statewide initiative to support local attractions and promote tourism across Illinois. The funds will assist with the Museum’s ongoing renovations of its historic building in downtown Macomb.
The grant will enable the Museum to install a heating and cooling (HVAC) system in a section of the building that once served as an automobile garage, making the space fully accessible and comfortable year-round. Over the past three years, the Museum has undertaken extensive renovations, including tuckpointing the brick exterior, replacing all windows with energy-efficient, warehouse-style replicas, installing a new ADA-compliant concrete floor with in-floor electrical service, and enhancing the Our Front Porch exhibit and program area. These updates have strengthened the building’s structure and improved its appearance, creating a more welcoming environment for visitors. Funding for these renovations has come from various grants, including an earlier $24,000 award from DCEO, and from individual supporters.
With the HVAC installation, the Museum will be able to expand its programming and exhibits in a unique, architecturally compelling space. Built in 1941, this area features exposed wooden bow trusses and an open, warehouse-like layout ideal for displaying larger artifacts and hosting workshops and events. Climate control will also benefit the Museum’s collection of artifacts that connect visitors to their history using items from daily life, such as agricultural tools, clothing, radios, and toys. These improvements will increase access to educational opportunities, allowing the Museum to offer more participatory programming and attract more visitors.
The Museum’s grant application was selected through a competitive process that required applicants to demonstrate how the funding would benefit local businesses and attract visitors for overnight stays. With this investment, the Museum will add 5,400 square feet of accessible space, inviting both local and out-of-town guests to enjoy exhibits, programs, and workshops while preserving the area’s history for future generations. This grant supports the Museum’s vision of repurposing a historic building at the heart of Macomb’s business district, showcasing how historic preservation and cultural organizations can drive economic growth.
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, 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.