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Bureau County History Center reports restored exhibits, membership growth and phase‑2 building work
Summary
The Bureau County Historical Society reported to the Princeton City Council that visitor numbers and memberships increased following a 2024 tourism grant, and announced phase‑2 restoration work on the Sash Shelter/Madison building funded by private donors and volunteers.
Lex Toppins and Jim Dunn of the Bureau County History Center told the Princeton City Council on Jan. 20, 2025, that the museums and society balanced their budgets after receiving a tourism grant and recorded increased visitation, membership and volunteer hours in 2024.
Toppins told the council the city awarded the History Center a $38,100 tourism grant in August 2024. He said the museums and events drew more than 1,400 patrons from 48 Illinois towns, 13 states and three countries (Canada, Germany and England), and that membership rose about 20%.
“After many years, we balanced our budget for both the society and the center,” Toppins said, and credited members, donors and volunteers — including Princeton Veterans Organization and Flags of Freedom — for more than 1,400 volunteer hours that supported programming and facility work.
The Chronicle, the organization’s quarterly magazine, was distributed to 336 Princeton households and to 89 Illinois cities and 41 states. Toppins said the center is increasing distribution and preparing exhibits for 2025, including a portraits exhibit opening March 1 and a Henry Impey glass‑plate photography exhibit for the Homeset Festival; the Impey exhibit is funded by former Princeton residents Tim and Jill Schindler.
Jim Dunn, History Center Board president, showed photos of phase‑2 work on the Sash Shelter/Madison building, which was flood‑damaged in January 2014. He described progress removing a false ceiling and restoring damaged areas; the center plans a public celebration when phase‑2 completes and is planning phase‑3 to study accessibility.
Council members asked routine questions about the museum bookstore and building history; Toppins clarified the Bureau County Historical Society originally began with the Clark Norris Museum and later expanded to additional properties, including an O’Brien Museum dating to 177 years old and another building donated in December 2013.
Ending: Council thanked the History Center’s staff, board and volunteers and noted the role of volunteerism in the restoration and programming.
