Farm Life | Supporting Exhibits

For nearly a century, 1858 through 1951, broomcorn was of major economic importance to Coles County and is associated with the early settlement of the area. Using a variety of broomcorn memorabilia, the display illustrates how Coles and surrounding counties earned the distinction of being “The Broomcorn Capital of the World.”

Nancy Coutant, instructor, biological sciences; and Marlene Slough, professor, Booth Library, curators (Marvin Foyer)

The exhibit illustrates aspects of Darwin’s life and contributions to science, and includes examples of how evolutionary biology has contributed to agriculture.

Ann Fritz, assistant professor, biological sciences, curator (Reference Gallery)

The Coles County Fair is the longest continuously run county fair in Illinois, starting in 1854. This exhibit highlights the history of the fair and showcases the fair programs throughout the decades.

Jocelyn Tipton, associate professor, Booth Library, curator (Marvin Foyer)

Gilbert Courtland Fite grew up in rural South Dakota before and during the Great Depression, and was educated in colleges in South Dakota and Missouri. An author of numerous books and articles dealing with farm life, agricultural history, agricultural economics and agricultural politics, Dr. Fite was a history professor at the University of Oklahoma for about 25 years. In 1960-1961 he was president of the Agricultural History Society. He served as president of Eastern Illinois University from 1971-1976, and then taught history for a number of years at the University of Georgia, Athens. Among his publications are: Flight From the Farm (1959); Farm to Factory: A History of the Consumers Cooperative Association (1965); Farmers’ Frontier, 1865-1900 (1966); and Farming in Coles County: A Historical Survey (1973).

Robert Hillman, professor, Booth Library, curator (South Lobby)

Coles County, Illinois, home to Eastern Illinois University, is also known throughout the state for its agriculture and farming communities. This exhibit focuses on the crops grown, the livestock raised, and the history of farms and farmers in the county. Discover how the local farms are contributing to life outside of our area by producing food, fuel, and resources for the United States and the world.

Jocelyn Tipton, associate professor, Booth Library, curator (Marvin Foyer)

If you think nothing but corn and soybeans are grown in Illinois, this exhibit should change your mind. The number of farms raising eggplant, apricots, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, okra and many other crops are highlighted, as well as the variety of animals raised in the state. Changes in farming over the years are also represented, such as the change in number of farms over time and the farm population.

Jocelyn Tipton, associate professor; and Stacey Knight-Davis, assistant professor, Booth Library, curators (North Lobby)

The graduate dietetic students in FCS 5154 - Medical Nutrition Therapy created four nutrition displays centered on the farm exhibit theme. The displays focused on foods from the farm and how those foods nourish and support growth, maintenance and health.

Karla Kennedy-Hagan, professor, family and consumer sciences, curator (Marvin Foyer)

Candid family photographs allow glimpses into the daily lives of farm families. This collection shows the shift from horse-drawn wagons to tractors and semi-trucks. See how farm families over time have interacted with their land, livestock, and each other.

Stacey Knight-Davis, assistant professor, Booth Library, curator (1000 North)

Imagine the 20th century farmer in the midst of the hot summer’s sun, mending fences, sheering sheep, chopping wood. In this display, you’ll find bushel baskets full of tools and use­ful gadgets handed down through the generations.

Jim Anderson, president, East Central Illinois Farm Equipment Club, curator (Marvin Foyer)