Tuesday May 13
7:00pm - 9:00pm CDT
Ehrlicher Research Center, 719 N 11th Street, Pekin, IL, 61554, United States
Katelynn Bouslog ,Collection RegistrarandMegan Nguyễn,Collections & Exhibitions Coordinator and Art Bridges Fellowof thePeoria Riverfront Museumwill discuss America 250 For America’s semiquincentennial celebration in 2026, the Peoria Riverfront Museum will offer visitor......More
Katelynn Bouslog ,Collection RegistrarandMegan Nguyễn,Collections & Exhibitions Coordinator and Art Bridges Fellowof thePeoria Riverfront Museumwill discuss America 250 For America’s semiquincentennial celebration in 2026, the Peoria Riverfront Museum will offer visitors the opportunity to explore, learn and commemorate our shared history through a series of robust programs and year-long exhibitions. As the only museum in America to host the curatorial debut of renowned documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, The series of exhibitions will highlight original American stories with a particular emphasis on the national and global impact to which Central Illinois and America’s Midwest have contributed. Communities of our diverse affinity groups will be able to witness the Midwest’s impact in shaping this nation through original American documents, the finest selection of fine and contemporary art, rare objects and cultural artifacts from top museums and cultural institutions. By demonstrating history’s continued relevance in contemporary life, we aim to empower individuals to participate in making and sharing history. For more information and updates on our efforts for America’s 250th anniversary, please visit https://www.america250illinois.org/. Biographies Katelynn Bouslog is what the museum industry calls a “long-term outcome”. She spent much of her youth going with her grandparents to museums and historical sites, instilling in her a passion for history and imparting in her an understanding of the power objects have to tell stories. Her experience in museums, specifically Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences, prompted her to obtain a master’s degree in Public History from Southern New Hampshire University. With this degree, she became a professor at Illinois Central College teaching history as well as serving as the museum coordinator at the Ronald Reagan Museum and Archives, all while continuing to volunteer at the Peoria Historical Society. Her current role as the collection’s registrar at the Peoria Riverfront Museum has allowed her to work hands on with objects that are used daily to tell stories to inspire her community. Megan Nguyễn began her career at the City of Peoria helping local communities maintain clean, safe, and healthy neighborhoods. Inspired by museums as alternative spaces for self-empowerment, creativity, and lifelong learning, she pursued a Master of Arts in Museum Studies from George Washington University. Upon graduating in 2023, she worked as an independent contractor developing exhibitions, interpretive plans, and conducting curatorial research for museums and visitor centers across the nation. In 2024, Megan was selected as an Art Bridges Fellow and appointed to a three-year term at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. The Art Bridges Foundation, founded by Alice Walton, is committed to expanding access to American Art. Returning to her hometown, Megan joins the museum to support the planning of exhibitions commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary. Short Business Meeting will follow.
Ehrlicher Research Center, 719 N 11th Street, Pekin, IL, 61554, United States
