By Andi Anderson
The Children’s Discovery Museum in Normal will soon expand its focus on agricultural education, thanks to a record $1 million gift from the McLean County Farm Bureau.
This donation marks the largest single contribution in the museum’s history. It will support the launch of a new interactive agriculture exhibit expected to open in 2026.
Beth Whisman, the museum's executive director, shared the news at the McLean County Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Awareness Breakfast. She expressed excitement that the agricultural community is backing the museum in such a significant way, given the vital role agriculture plays in Central Illinois.
The planned exhibit, called From the Farm to a Healthy Me, will cover nearly 5,800 square feet—more than double the size of the museum’s current agriculture space that opened in 2006. The new exhibit will feature a range of hands-on activities.
Children can explore a simulated grocery store and food truck, experience drone technology, and enjoy a ball drop maze that shows how grain travels from field to market. It will also include an Ag Lab, connecting soil, weather, and crops through fun STEM lessons.
The donation helps jumpstart the museum’s private fundraising efforts toward the $2.8 million total project cost. Whisman confirmed that the foundation is already more than halfway to its goal. The museum previously invested $700,000 from its foundation for early design and planning work.
The McLean County Farm Bureau has long supported the museum’s agriculture exhibits, starting with the original “AgMazing” space in 2004. Brian Dirks, the bureau’s president, said this new gift continues their commitment to promoting agricultural education in the community.
The project was officially approved by the Normal Town Council. The museum foundation will reimburse the town for all related expenses.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-poike
Categories: Illinois, Education