Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences

Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences
Map
EstablishedMarch 28, 1965 (1965-03-28)
DissolvedSeptember 2012; 12 years ago (2012-09)
Location1125 W. Lake Ave. Peoria, IL 61614-5985
TypePublic museum
Visitors125,000

The Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences was a public museum of science and culture located in Peoria, Illinois that operated from 1965 to 2012. Its assets have been transferred to the Peoria Riverfront Museum.

History

[edit]

In 1954, 26 art and science groups from the Arts and Science Council helped to create a facility for exhibitions and educational programs.[1][2] In 1961, the initial campaign raised $1 million for construction on Lake Avenue.[2] The Council raised money through subscriptions, pledges, advance gifts, and a benefit ball at the historic Pere Marquette.[1][3] The museum was originally named Lakeview Center, after a Lakeview recreation camp that operated in East Peoria from 1923-1954.[1]

Phase 1 contained a planetarium that broke ground on April 10, 1962 and opened on June 9, 1963.[1] The 36-foot planetarium was set as the sun in the largest to scale mock solar system as recognized the Guinness Book of Records in 1992.[4] [5]

The museum broke ground on July 19, 1963[1] and the galleries opened on March 28, 1965.[2] A time capsule was sealed in the floor during the dedication on March 27, 1965.[1]

In 1978, the name was changed to Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences.[1] An additional $1 million was raised for facility upgrades.[2]

Closing

[edit]

It was closed in September 2012, shortly before the Peoria Riverfront Museum, of which Lakeview Museum's organizations were participants, opened in downtown Peoria.[6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Lakeview Name?". Peoria Heights Herald. 1965-02-05. p. 11. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  2. ^ a b c d "Illinois Adventure - Duck decoy collection at Lakeview Museum". www.illinoisadventuretv.org. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  3. ^ "$25,000 Donation To Build Library Room in Lakeview". Peoria Heights Herald. 1964-04-10. p. 16. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  4. ^ "The Planets of Peoria". Discover Magazine. Kalmbash Publishing Co. March 1995. Retrieved 2015-06-04.
  5. ^ Roy, Shelley (2001-02-10). "Lakeview Museum visit sits well". Jacksonville Journal Courier Newspaper. p. 12. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  6. ^ "Lakeview Museum closes its doors". CINewsNow.com. Granite Broadcasting. Sep 3, 2012. Archived from the original on September 20, 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-20.

40°44′30″N 89°36′39″W / 40.74167°N 89.61083°W / 40.74167; -89.61083