Small town museum gets recognition during International Museum Day

Yahoo

19-05-2025

CEDARVILLE, Ill. (WTVO) — Nine different museums in Stephenson County helped celebrate International Museum Day and one of them earned recognition for its focus on preserving history.
Director of the Cedarville Area Historical Society (CAHS) Wendy Bade said she's been wanting to do something with all of the county museums.
'We weren't going after International Museum Day in the start,' Bade said. 'We were just trying to get all of the museums together as a group. While we were doing that, we realized that today was International Museum Day.'
The Historical Society was joined by eight other local museums for Sunday's celebration.
'When we got together and we saw this day was coming up, it's like well, we haven't really done anything in the past to get everybody together and celebrate this day together,' CAHS President Steve Myers said. 'I think so far, it's working well. I've seen a lot of enthusiasm.'
Bade said the event brought awareness to the importance of preserving history, and the recognition of area museums.
'We're located at the top of the hill in little Cedarville,' Bade said. 'In talking to some individuals, they do not even know that the museum exists, so really, our biggest focus from all of us, all of the museums is just to get the word out that we're here.'
Myers said tons of people are involved in making the magic happen at these museums.
'It's not just one person that does all this,' Myers said. 'It's a community and it's people who care and want to talk about history.'
Myers said he is proud of the recognition Cedarville received from the event.
'Every small town has a story to tell, and I think every area deserves to have that said,' Myers said.
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