As Pekin continues its Bicentennial events throughout this year, the Pekin Public Library’s Local History Room is now exhibiting an array of artifacts and mementos from Pekin’s history. Among the items in the exhibit are first edition copies of Pekin’s first city directory (1861) and the first-ever published history of Pekin from Pekin’s second city directory (1871), both of which originally belonged to Pekin’s pioneer historian William H. Bates. Other items include a Dirksen commemorative silver coin, Pekin Bicentennial medallions, Pekin Community High School athletic medals, a copy of the 1924 Pekinian yearbook (from Pekin’s centennial year), and bricks salvaged from West Campus and the old Pekin Daily Times building.
Centerpiece of the exhibit are the Pekin Daily Times articles that reported on Pekin’s three-day Centennial Celebration that was held 2-4 July 1924.
The exhibit will be displayed through the end of September.
