Museum History

The University Museum has been a repository of artifacts since Dr. Cyrus Thomas was commissioned to begin collecting for a museum by the first board of Trustees of Southern Illinois Normal University some time before 1871. The Museum formally opened to the public in 1874 and was located in the first Old Main Building. Since then, it has occupied 11 different locations across campus. The Museum has been located in Faner Hall since 1974. The American Association of Museums has accredited the University Museum since 1977. The Museum's 130th Anniversary Year was in 2004.

Curators or Directors

1874-1879	Cyrus Thomas
1879-1917	George Hazen French
1917-1921	Wanda Newsum (Gum)
1921-1931	No Record
1931-1937	Mary Goddard (Steck)
1937-1943	Fred Roy Cagle
1943-1950	John Willis Allen
1950-1970	J. Charles Kelley
1970-1972	Basil C. Hedrick
1972-1975	Carroll L. Riley
1975-1977	Basil C. Hedrick
1977-1978	Darrell W. Harrison (interim)
1978-2000	John Whitlock
2000-2001	Lori Huffman (interim)
2001-present	Dona Bachman