County Board Unveils New Exhibits Showcasing Local Arts and History

Before its monthly meeting, the Sangamon County Board unveiled two new rotating exhibits in the county building, offering residents a fresh look at the region’s industrial heritage and artistic community. The installations, located on the second floor and available to the public during regular business hours, will be on display through January 2026.

The first exhibit, titled “Made in Sangamon County,” developed in partnership with the Sangamon County Historical Society, delves into the county’s manufacturing legacy—from early distilleries and tile works to major enterprises such as Allis-Chalmers, Pillsbury Mills and the Sangamon Ordnance Plant—demonstrating how local labor and innovation produced goods that reached far beyond central Illinois.

The second showcase, created in collaboration with the Springfield Art Association, features selections from “Pleiades (Seven Sisters).” This display highlights the work of local artists and cultural partners, including glass and ceramic pieces crafted in the Association’s studios, underscoring the region’s vibrant creative community.

County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter expressed pride in the collaboration, noting, “We are incredibly proud to showcase the remarkable industries, workers, and artists who have helped define Sangamon County.” He emphasized the importance of community partners in making the exhibits possible.

From the Historical Society’s perspective, executive Stephanie Martin observed that the manufacturing exhibit serves as a reminder that “innovation is not new to Sangamon County — it has been part of our history from the very beginning.” Meanwhile, the Springfield Art Association’s director Betsy Dollar remarked that art offers a meaningful mode of expression: “Art continues to be a powerful way to express who we are and where we’re going.”

Members of the public are invited to view the exhibits on the second floor of the Sangamon County Building during regular hours, with no special ticketing required. The display offers both residents and visitors an opportunity to reflect on the county’s contributions—industrial and artistic—to community life and identity.