CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, IL — As communities across the country prepare to mark America’s 250th anniversary, TJ Blakeman, Senior Planner for Economic Development for the City of Champaign — who also serves as president of the Champaign County History Museum board — is helping lead an ambitious local effort to bring Revolutionary War history to Champaign County.

The centerpiece of the county’s observance will be a rare Revolutionary War-era collection expected to go on display in June at the Champaign Public Library. The exhibit will feature more than 20 original documents and artifacts connected to the founding of the United States, including items tied to George Washington, John Hancock and the American Revolutionary War.

“This is the kind of thing people will remember years from now,” said Blakeman, Senior Planner for Economic Development for the City of Champaign and president of the Champaign County History Museum board. “Just like people talked about the Bicentennial in 1976, I hope families will say, ‘I went and saw those documents in Champaign.’”

The exhibit is being organized in partnership with a local private collector who has assembled an extensive archive of Revolutionary-era materials. Among the featured pieces is expected to be an 1830s Peter Force printing of the United States Declaration of Independence, created from the original engraved copper plate commissioned by the federal government.

Blakeman said the museum decided to move the display from its downtown location to the library because of the size and significance of the collection.

“Our building just can’t handle something of this scale,” he said. “This belongs to the public, and we wanted as many people as possible to have the opportunity to experience it.”

The exhibit is expected to run for several days in mid-June, with timed entry tickets likely required because of anticipated demand.

In addition to the Revolutionary War display, the museum is also preparing a second exhibit focused on notable Champaign County residents who made national contributions in fields ranging from architecture and journalism to sports and entertainment.

The anniversary programming reflects Blakeman’s long-standing passion for local history — an interest he said began during childhood visits with his great-grandparents and summers spent exploring archives in his hometown of Ashland.

“I’ve always loved local history,” Blakeman said. “I loved downtowns, architecture and hearing stories about how communities developed.”

That passion eventually led him to help rescue the History Museum itself.

The museum, founded in the early 1970s, faced a financial crisis in 2015 when utility shutoff notices threatened to close the organization permanently. Blakeman stepped in to help reorganize the museum, form a new board and rebuild operations.

“We had to ask a hard question at the time: should the museum close, or should we try to save it?” he said. “The community overwhelmingly wanted to keep it going.”

Today, the museum operates with one full-time employee and a volunteer board, while continuing to search for ways to expand beyond its current historic Cattle Bank building in downtown Champaign.

Blakeman said preserving and sharing history remains essential as Champaign County continues to grow.

“A lot of city planning is about envisioning the future,” he said. “But understanding history helps communities understand who they are and where they’re going.”

Additional anniversary events planned by the museum include a June 13 flag-raising ceremony and participation as grand marshals in the community’s Fourth of July parade, where museum board members and their families will help lead the celebration.

Blakeman said he hopes the anniversary inspires a renewed appreciation for both local and national history.

“For my generation, this is our chance to celebrate a milestone like this,” he said. “I just want people to feel connected to the American story — and to realize Champaign County has a place in that story too.”

People interested in supporting the museum or becoming members can visit Champaign County History Museum.