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 The top five also includes the McLean County Museum
of History and the Art Institute of Chicago.
“Considering all the wonderful museums in Illinois, coming out on
top is a great compliment to our institution,” said Alan Lowe,
executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and
Museum. “More importantly, I think it shows how much Illinoisans
treasure President Lincoln and his legacy.”
The Illinois Top 200 project lets Illinoisans vote every two weeks
on the most inspiring leaders, greatest books, top businesses and
much more. By the state’s 200th birthday on Dec. 3, voters will have
chosen 10 favorites in 20 different categories – the Illinois Top
200.
Voting in the next category, top books, is underway at
www.IllinoisTop200.com. Nominees include “The Jungle,” “Infinite
Jest,” “Native Son” and “Across Five Aprils.”
Here are the top 10 museums:
1. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum – This
Springfield institution celebrates the 16th president’s life and
legacy. Visitors can see rare Lincoln artifacts, immerse themselves
in scenes from his life and enjoy shows that use special effects to
engage audiences.
2. Museum of Science and Industry – Housed in a building from
the 1893 Chicago world’s fair, this museum lets visitors explore
technological marvels such as a full-size replica coal mine, a World
War II submarine and an Apollo command module.
3. Field Museum – Visit this Chicago museum – which about 1.8
million people do each year – and you could look beneath a mummy’s
bandages, come face to face with the largest T. Rex ever found, get
a bug’s-eye view of the world or learn all about DNA.
4. McLean County Museum of History – Museums can have a local
focus while still producing exhibits with broad appeal. The McLean
County Museum mixes engaging takes on local history with offbeat
exhibits like children’s pedal cars and food trends.
5. Art Institute of Chicago – The Art Institute is home to
such famous paintings as Pablo Picasso's The Old Guitarist and
Edward Hopper's Nighthawks. It also has amazing collections of
armor, textiles, photographs, architectural drawings and more.
6. Cedarhurst Center for the Arts – Set on 90 acres in Mount
Vernon, Cedarhurst offers a sprawling sculpture garden, an art
center with classrooms and gallery space, a performance hall and art
displays from a private collection.
7. Illinois State Museum – This museum, with locations in
Springfield, Lockport and Lewistown, covers history, natural
history, and art. Its Illinois Legacy Collection of 13.5 million
objects includes fossils, Native American relics, geological and
plant specimens, historical objects and works of art.
8. Peoria Riverfront Museum
– This museum offers something for practically everyone: a gallery
on the Illinois River, interactive exhibits on high school sports,
hands-on discovery areas for children and a look at Peoria’s rich
history.
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9. Chicago History Museum – A devastating
fire, legendary politicians, world-class architecture,
groundbreaking art -- all of it is part of Chicago’s history and of
the Chicago History Museum.
10. Cantigny Park – This 500-acre park in Wheaton is home to
two museums. One focuses on former Chicago Tribune publisher Robert
McCormick and the other on “the Big Red One” – the U.S. Army’s First
Infantry Division – from World War I to the present day.
“The Prairie State has more than 1,000 museums, and this poll
highlights some of its best. Museums – large and small and those
representing the fields of art, history, science and natural history
– have amazing stories to tell about our shared past through the
objects and documents in their collections,” said Karen Everingham,
president of the Illinois Association of Museums. “Congratulations
to the ALPLM and all the museums who made the list.”
Other museums that were part of the voting include: Chicago’s
DuSable Museum of African American History, Rockford’s Burpee Museum
of Natural History, Skokie’s Illinois Holocaust Museum and the
Children’s Museum of Illinois in Decatur.
Future categories include authors, musicians, actors, leaders and
unforgettable moments. Everyone is invited to suggest possible
nominees in each category by using the hashtag #ILtop200 on social
media.
ABOUT ABRAHAM LINCOLN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
The presidential library and museum uses a combination of rigorous
scholarship and high-tech showmanship to immerse visitors in
Lincoln’s life and times. Visitors can see ghosts come to life on
stage, watch TV coverage of the 1860 Presidential election, roam
through the Lincoln White House, experience booming cannons in a
Civil War battle and come face to face with priceless original
Lincoln artifacts.
The library holds an unparalleled collection of Lincoln books,
documents, photographs, artifacts and art, as well as some 12
million items pertaining to all aspects of Illinois history.
For more information, visit
www.PresidentLincoln.illinois.gov.
ABOUT ILLINOIS BICENTENNIAL
On Dec. 3, 1818, Illinois became the 21st state in the union. The
Illinois Bicentennial is a yearlong celebration of what has been
BORN, BUILT & GROWN in the state and a reminder of why we are #IllinoisProud.
Citizens are encouraged to participate in the celebration by
visiting www.illinois200.com and using the hashtag #IllinoisProud.
Partners and event and project managers planning activities between
Dec. 3, 2017, and Dec. 3, 2018, can apply for endorsement to become
an official part of Illinois Bicentennial by visiting the
PARTICIPATE page at www.illinois200.com.
[Christopher Wills]
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