Dr. Michael Wiant served as the caretaker for the Illinois State Museum when the Gov. Bruce Rauner administration shut down the museum in October 2015 during a protracted fight over the Illinois state budget. The museum reopened in July 2016, and Dr. Wiant stayed on as the interim director until 2017, when he retired. Dr. Wiant discusses the challenges of this period for the museum, and the impact on it's staff and its national reputation.
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Abstract
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Related Materials
Timeline
Timeline of events pertaining to Illinois State Museum closure, reopening, and accreditation
Photos
Caption
Reacting to the threat of closing the Illinois State Museum on July 21, 2015, supporters of the museum assembled outside the State Capitol complex to underscore the importance and value of the Museum.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
July 21, 2015
Ownership:
ALPL Oral History Program photo: Mark Flotow
Caption
Reacting to the threat of closing the Illinois State Museum on July 21, 2015, supporters of the museum assembled outside the State Capitol complex to underscore the importance and value of the Museum.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
July 21, 2015
Ownership:
ALPL Oral History Program photo: Mark Flotow
Caption:
An evening vigil was held on October 1, 2015 as part of protests against the Governor Rauner administration’s plans to proceed with closing the Illinois State Museum.
Where:
Springfield, IL
When:
October 1, 2015
Ownership:
ALPL Oral History Program photo: Mark Flotow
Caption:
A posted notice at the entrance of the Illinois State Museum stated that the museum was closed to the public.
Where:
Springfield, IL
When:
October 1, 2015
Ownership:
ALPL Oral History Program photo: Mark Flotow
Caption:
The Illinois State Bicentennial exhibition opened on June 29, 2018, and garnered positive public attention.
Where:
Springfield, IL
When:
June 29, 2018
Ownership:
ALPL Oral History Program photo: Mark Flotow
Caption:
Established in 1877, the Illinois State Museum in Springfield has amassed a collection of more than 13.5 million objects that document the natural and cultural history of Illinois.
Where:
Springfield, IL
When:
March 2021
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
The Kickapoo diorama was part of the Peoples of the Past exhibition based on knowledge acquired during decades of archaeological research by Illinois State Museum staff.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
March 2021
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo: Michael D. Wiant
Caption:
Pennsylvanian fossils (dating back 320 million years), on display at the Illinois State Museum, represented a period of earth’s history when the landmass of Illinois was located near the equator.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
March 2021
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo: Michael D. Wiant
Caption:
The American Mastodon has long been an iconic part of the Illinois State Museum brand.
Where:
Springfield, IL
When:
March 2021
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo: Michael D. Wiant