Museum joins new organization

Our museum has recently joined the AMM -  Association of Midwest Museums, headquartered in St. Louis MO. The AMM has member museums in 12 Midwestern states. We have been an active member of the IAM - Illinois Association of Museums, headquartered in Springfield, since our opening in 2004.

Happy Thanksgiving from our museum

PLEASE READ - Honoring the Tammen Brothers

One of the most recent additions to our museum is a display of the uniforms and stories of the Tammen brothers. Hank and Dena Tammen of Flanagan Il sent three of their four sons to war. John Tammen was killed by a Japanese mortar round in the Philippines. His family was notified on April 19, 1945. Three days later, on April 22, 1945, they were notified of the death of their second son, Clarence Tammen, in Europe. A third son, Peter, came back from service in Europe. Their fourth and oldest son, Henry, stayed home to help on the family farm. All four brothers and two sisters are now deceased.

Our museum accepts and displays these uniforms, photos and stories with great honor. We thank niece Clarette Carls of Flanagan and other family members for entrusting us with these precious symbols of  the shared sacrifice of American families during World War II.

Please come to our museum to see this display. Future visitors and students will now understand even more what "The Greatest Generation' accomplished and the meaning of the phrase "Freedom Isn't Free".

CLICK TO ENLARGE ARTICLE

Tammen 2

Central Elementary in Pontiac visits on Veterans Day

We had a special visit  from these young students on Veterans Day. All of them have family members now serving in our military. We thank them also for bringing cards to hand out to veterans and to others serving our country now. Students at Central also made a "Heroes Wall" honoring family members and friends who are veterans. Thanks to teacher Brenda Thompson, whose son is in the military, and to our young visitors in the first grade!

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Museum Staff Speaks at Bloomington (IL) High School 1 (Click to Enlarge Images)

Museum Staff Speaks at Bloomington (IL) High School 2

Museum Staff Speaks at Bloomington (IL) High School 3

Bill Hall Speaks at Pontiac Veterans Day Service - Part I

Bill Hall Speaks at Pontiac Veterans Day Service - Part 2

Bill Hall, a World War II Marine and museum staff member, spoke at the Veterans Day service in front of the courthouse in downtown Pontiac.

Fox Creek Elementary School - Bloomington IL

David Estes spoke to 5th grade classes on Veterans Day about his tour of duty in Vietnam as a combat infantryman with the 25th and 101st Airborne Divisions. Thanks to their teacher, Stephanie Banks, and all the Timberwolves!