A free public reception will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 29 to mark the formal opening of the Stevenson Collection at Milner Library. The event will take place from 3-4:30 p.m. on Milner Library’s Floor 4.
The reception will feature remarks by Illinois State University President Al Bowman, Dean of University Libraries Cheryl Elzy and College of Arts and Sciences Dean Gary Olson at 3:30 p.m.
The Stevenson Collection consists of approximately 300 items documenting the families of Jesse Fell and Adlai E. Stevenson II. The vast majority of the collection documents the life of Adlai E. Stevenson II, as governor of Illinois, Democratic presidential candidate, and ambassador to the United Nations.
Almost all items in the collection were donated by Mrs. Elizabeth (Ernest L.) Ives. When Illinois State University’s Stevenson Hall was built in the 1960s the Stevenson Memorial Room was dedicated to house and display the materials. The collection moved to new quarters in Milner Library in 2005. Milner’s Special Collections, University Archives and Preservation Division have taken special steps to clean and care for some of the materials most in need of preservation. Conservation of the Stevenson Collection is supported by the Parents Advisory Board in the form of a Perry and Helen Obalil Grant.
For additional information contact Toni Tucker (309) 438-7402 or ttucker@ilstu.edu
