McLean County Museum

For starters, I didn't realize how big that building really was. I've drove past it a ton but never really took the time to think about what was inside. I realized that this county has a very rich history considering its size. I had heard that this area was Lincoln's old stomping grounds but I never knew that he actually practiced law here and that the foundation of the Republican party was basically established in Bloomington. Not to mention Bloomington-Normal seems to have been and still is an area where people are politically active with movements such as women's suffrage in Illinois starting in McLean as an example. I honestly just never had enough interest in this area because I was simply content to just go to school here not knowing about the town's history. However, I do feel that it is good to have an understanding for the area because I can better appreciate it and I can understand the year-round residents as well. The political activities of this town seem to have had a profound impact in history, most notable Lincoln's rise out of McLean County and the Supreme Court case, the People v. Chicago & Alton Railroad. The thing that really stuck to me though was how Abe Lincoln managed to rise from practicing law in an area that was primarily farm land to become the President of the United States in a matter of a few years. It's quite cool to know that the man who is considered by most to be the best President in US history came from such a relatively humble background. I really enjoyed that aspect of the museum. Also, the Vietnam exhibit was well put together as well. I got a kick out of the, "What to do When a Nuke Goes Off," video. "If you see a flash, duck and cover." It should have been, "if you see a flash, kiss you butt goodbye!" It was fun to see the type of propaganda the government fed to public to give them a sense of security. Overall, it was a good trip.