Place yourself in the historical record
The UIS History Harvest once again seeks to engage the public in the act of recording Illinois history. This year’s theme, ‘The Great Road Trip,’ will help students build and interpret an archive on the history of travel. Students from both graduate and undergraduate History classes will digitize items
Since its beginnings in 2016, the UIS History Harvest has hosted three events, and will host another Harvest on October 15th, 2022 at the Illinois State Museum. This year’s History Harvest will be the fourth conducted by students at UIS. In 2016 members of the public brought in items of political memorabilia. In 2018 they presented items about “Being Illinoisan.” In 2020, participants were encouraged to bring in items related to the changes in education over the past 50 years.
The goal of History Harvest is to democratize the archive and widen our understanding and appreciation of history and material culture. This year’s harvest recognizes that the history of America is rooted in travel and Central Illinois is a major crossroads for broad national adventures. By collecting information on the historical memories and mementos of local people, this 2022 UIS History Harvest provides a unique insight into how ordinary citizens have traveled and interacted with the nation and the world.
The 2022 UIS History Harvest, which focuses on travel and tourism, asks the members of the public to bring in physical objects and documents that represent what the spirit of travel means to them. Please view the items and collections pages for examples of artifacts brought in to be digitized during past History Harvests. After the archive is complete, students will create online exhibits to further illuminate our attendees’ stories. The students and faculty from the UIS history department look forward to the artifacts and stories that will be added to the online archive in 2022.
The UIS History Harvest is part of a national movement connecting communities and universities through the practice of local history. More background on the national movement can be found here. For more information on the UIS History Harvest, see our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Featured
Kennedy Kards, a set of humorous playing cards featuring Democratic President John F. Kennedy and his friends and family, 1963Set of “Kennedy Kards” political deck by Humor House, Inc., featuring gently satirical portrayals of the Kennedy clan. It was made in 1963, prior…
Various Political Buttons"Nixon Now" was a campaign slogan from Richard Nixon's run for president in 1972. He had a campaign song with a similar chorus. This button includes a…
Recently Added Items
Basset Hound WebkinzThis plush animal was a common sight from the early 2000s to the late 2000s, as the online game Webkinz launched. This particular Webkinz was…
3D Printed DragonThis dragon fidget toy and egg were 3D printed by a family member and given with three other fidget toys as a Christmas gift in 2025. This toy was…
Animal Crossing: New HorizonsAlthough purchasing Animal Crossing: New Horizon digitally, Michael Keul acquired this retail display case of the game from his local GameStop in…
Batman Action FigureThis Batman action figure was the last gift that my grandmother ever gave me before she passed of cancer. Grandmother made a very big impression on me…
Funkopop FigurineThis Funkopop is what started my love for collecting Funkopop it was the first one that I ever bought myself. I bought the Funkopop my freshman year…