CAAN Donates to the Museum
Caterpillar African American Network Donates to Peoria Riverfront Museum’s Oral History Center
Peoria—The Caterpillar African American Network (CAAN), an affinity group within the company that supports African-American employees and culture, has presented the Peoria Riverfront Museum with a contribution of $12,500 on behalf of the Peoria African American Hall of Fame Museum (AAHFM).
The funds were raised through a CAAN community luncheon event earlier this year featuring Carl Mack, executive director of the National Society of Black Engineers, who spoke on the importance of passing down oral history.
The donation will help fund the Peoria Riverfront Museum’s Oral History Center within The Street, a gallery showcasing the Peoria region’s history and people.
“Oral history has been an especially important tradition in the African-American community,” said Margie White, representing the AAHFM at a Sept. 29 press event unveiling The Street where the CAAN donation was presented.
White announced the Oral History Center will feature photos, artifacts and an oral history “jukebox” of recordings of and about memorable Peoria area residents—from Bradley founder Lydia Moss Bradley to comedian and actor Richard Pryor. Visitors inspired to capture their own stories for future generations will have that opportunity in the exhibit’s Story Booth, leaving with a DVD of their recording.
A third area within the Oral History Center, The Wall of Fame, will honor individuals inducted into the AAHFM each year for having made an outstanding contribution to the Peoria African-American community.
CAAN President Dominic Nimpson presented the check to the Museum Collaboration Group overseeing the new museum’s creation. “We feel the education of our young people through role models is very, very important to them becoming good citizens,” he said, noting the oral history center will help bring to life such role models.
The Museum Collaboration Group is comprised of Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences, Peoria Historical Society, Peoria Regional Museum Society, AAHFM and Illinois High School Association.
The Peoria Riverfront Museum will join the Caterpillar Experience as key components of a planned $136 million downtown center for the arts, education and entertainment known as The Block.