‘Spark! Places of Innovation’ exhibition coming to Durand

    Durand has been selected by the Smithsonian to host its traveling exhibit Spark! Places of Innovation from Dec. 2 through Jan. 6

    It is quite a unique experience for Durand to be able to host an exhibit of this nature, and they are the first in the northern half of the state to do so.

    This exhibition is free and open to the public.

About “Spark!” in Durand

    After two fires in the 1800s in the town’s business core, a volunteer fire department was created in Durand. They became the first municipal volunteer fire department in Illinois, sporting District #1 on their fire engine.

    As a companion to the Spark! Exhibition, and curated by the Smithsonian, Durand Charm is producing an exhibit highlighting the Durand Fire Department. Included in this exhibit will be the department’s original 1929 Peter Pirsch fire engine. The exhibit will also display regional agricultural innovations.

    Durand Charm has an exciting calendar of events planned in conjunction with the Spark! exhibition: Road Scholar programs by Norman Moline and Cynthia Clampitt, visits from Santa Claus, and a Youth and Innovation Project Competition.

About “Spark! Places of Innovation”

    Spark! Places of Innovation, part of Illinois Humanities’ Museum on Main Street program, is a Smithsonian traveling exhibition that highlights innovation in rural America from the perspectives of people who have lived it. Their words, images, and experiences, gathered through an ambitious crowdsourcing initiative, are the heartbeat of the exhibition. The communities featured in Spark! – including seven small towns in Illinois – have enhanced their vitality through innovations in fields such as technology, agriculture, economic development, education, and the arts. Explore the diversity, ingenuity, and tenacity of rural Americans in Spark! Places on Innovation.

    Spark! will visit seven towns in Illinois from June 17 to March 29, 2024.

Exhibition hours and location

    The exhibition will be held at the Durand Masonic Lodge #302, 420 North Center St. in Durand. Exhibition hours will be Monday through Friday from 5 to 8 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. Special dates and times include Saturday, Dec. 30 from 2 to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 6 from 5 to 8 p.m.

    Please note that the exhibition will be closed Saturday, Dec. 23 through Monday, Dec. 25, Sunday, Dec 31, and Monday, Jan. 1.

    This exhibition and related activities are hosted by Durand Charm.

    For more information on exhibition hours, tours, and local events, please call 815-248-2606 or visit facebook.com/DurandCharm.