CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — Forty years after the first Farm Aid concert made history at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, the Spurlock Museum of World Cultures is honoring the landmark event with a new exhibit titled Songs of Solidarity: The 1985 Farm Aid Concert.
The exhibit celebrates the power of music and grassroots organizing during a time of deep crisis for American farmers. Farm Aid was launched in response to the 1980s farm crisis, which left many rural families facing foreclosure and financial ruin. The concert, organized in just six weeks, featured performances by music legends Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, and Bob Dylan, among many others.
Dan Gilbert, one of the exhibit’s curators, explained that the idea began in a University of Illinois history class called History Harvest, where students collected memorabilia and oral histories from community members who attended the original concert. “One of the most moving pieces we have is a hat Willie Nelson wore on stage,” said Gilbert. “It was thrown into the crowd, caught by a local usher, signed by Willie, and saved for decades.”
To hear the SoundCloud interview with Callie Luttman, click here: Stream episode Focus – Spurlock Museum of World Cultures Farm Aid 40th by Illini Media Group podcast | Listen online for free on SoundCloud
Nicole Frydman, Spurlock’s Manager of Communications and Development, said the exhibit is deeply personal for many in the community. “So many people still remember being there—whether as volunteers, fans, or farm advocates. That local connection made this the right time to launch the exhibit.”
A public kickoff event will be held Sunday, Sept. 21 from 2 to 4 p.m., featuring live music by The New Souls, family activities, and partner organizations like The Land Connection, a local group that has benefited from Farm Aid’s grants.
The exhibit is open now and runs through early 2026. Visitors will see original concert footage, artifacts like ticket stubs, t-shirts, protest signs, and letters from struggling farmers—offering a glimpse into how one concert helped spark a 40-year movement.
For more information about the exhibit and upcoming events, visit spurlock.illinois.edu.
