Get Your Farm History Kicks Along Route 66

While most drivers enjoy the convenience and speed of Interstate 55 from Bloomington to Chenoa, others prefer taking a leisurely trip down historic Route 66. On Saturday, August 15, 2026, the McLean County Museum of History and McLean County Farm Bureau invite you to join us and “get your farm kicks along Route 66!” This tour will be led by Don Meyer, ag historian and guest curator for the Museum’s Farming in the Great Corn Belt permanent exhibit, and Candace Summers, the Museum’s Senior Director of Education.
We will journey on IL Route 4 and 2-lane U.S. 66 from downtown Bloomington to Towanda. Our travels will follow the 1833 “Old Chicago Trail” through the country from Towanda to Lexington passing by a remaining country school structure and the Black Hawk War stockade site, tour many Lexington historic sites (Van Dolah Castle, Race Track, Turkey Creek Golf club, and Patton Cabin) and drive on “Memory Lane,” a remnant of the 2-lane 1920s highway. We will drive past thousands of acres of Matthew T. Scott original farmland, see his historic home in Chenoa, experience the stories of the canning factory, tile works and coal mines of Chenoa yesteryear, and more!
The trip includes transportation by Peoria Charter Coach to all sites, bottled water, and a snack. Coffee and donuts will be available at 7:45 a.m. The trip will leave from the Interstate Center/McLean County Fair Grounds promptly at 8:15 a.m. and arrive back to the pickup location at approximately 12:30 p.m. Seating is limited to 50 passengers, with a minimum of 28 people required to secure the motor coach. Tickets are $50 for members of the Museum and McLean County Farm Bureau and $55 for the General Public.
Tickets are now available for purchase using this link: bit.ly/AgBusTrip26
Payment can be made via all major credit cards. Phone orders by credit card can be made by calling the Museum at 308-827-0428. Payment must be made at the time of purchase.
Questions? or for more information, contact the Museum’s Education Department at 309-827-0428 or education@mchistory.org.