Accreditation
Of the nation’s estimated 17,500 museums, 775 are currently accredited.
We’re in the top 5%!
The Museum of the Grand Prairie has been an American Association of Museums (AAM) accredited museum since 1972. AAM Accreditation brings national recognition to a museum for its commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards, and continued institutional improvement. Developed and sustained by museum professionals for 40 years, AAM’s museum accreditation program is the field’s primary vehicle for quality assurance, self-regulation, and public accountability. It strengthens the museum profession by promoting practices that enable leaders to make informed decisions, allocate resources wisely, and remain financially and ethically accountable in order to provide the best possible service to the public.
Mission
Our mission is to collect, preserve and interpret the natural and cultural history of Champaign County and East Central Illinois.
Our vision: Through diverse experiences, we seek to inspire our audiences with a sense of connection to, and stewardship of, their natural and cultural world.
Staff of the Museum and Education Department
At the Museum of the Grand Prairie:
Cheryl Kennedy, Museum Director
ckennedy@ccfpd.org
Barbara Oehlschlaeger-Garvey, Assistant Director
bgarvey@ccfpd.org
Kaitlyn Riopelle, Public Program/Visitor Services Coordinator
kriopelle@ccfpd.org
Sandy Osborne, Education Program Specialist
sosborne@ccfpd.org
Danielle Brown, Education Program Specialist
dbrown@ccfpd.org
Ralph Bonati, Naturalist/Garden Specialist
rbonati@ccfpd.org
Tom Meachum, Registrar
tmeachum@ccfpd.org
Melinda Wiegel, Customer Service/Retail Associate
mwiegel@ccfpd.org
Linda Ormsby, Customer Service/Retail Associate
lormsby@ccfpd.org
Gretchen Winkler, Customer Service/Retail Associate
gwinkler@ccfpd.org
Tiffany Lee Giles, Intern
tgiles@ccfpd.org
At Homer Lake Interpretive Center:
Pam Leiter, Assistant Director
pleiter@ccfpd.org
Stacey Clementz, Environmental Education Program Specialist
sclementz@ccfpd.org
Savannah Hampson, Environmental Education Program Specialist
shampson@ccfpd.org
Emily Bickers, Interpretive Naturalist
ebickers@ccfpd.org
Gift Shop and Consignment Gallery
The Gift Shop carries a wide range of items from quill pens, coloring books, games and other educational toys for children to jewelry, band boxes, pottery, home decor items, ironware, and collectibles for adults.
The General Store is open during the museum's public hours or by appointment. If you would like to know whether the shop carries a particular item don't hesitate to call 217-586-2612 or email the gift shop. We now accept VISA and Mastercard!
The museum hosts a consignment gallery where local artists can display their works.
Apply here: Artists may apply to have their works sold on consignment in the shop. Send the completed application form to Katie Riopelle, Museum of the Grand Prairie, P.O. Box 1040, Mahomet IL 61853. Artists may send photographs of their work to supplement their application either with the form, or by email, kriopelle@ccfpd.org.
FAQs
Photographs-Tours-Appraisals-Caring for your Heirlooms-Memberships-Donations
What are the photograph policies in your museum? What are the publication policies?
Photographs for personal use may be taken of the museum's permanent collection. Any photograph taken for publication must be approved by museum staff. Contact the Assistant Director at 586-2612; email bgarvey@ccfpd.org
Tours
How do I schedule a tour? A group visit?
Group and bus tours may be scheduled through Katie Riopelle, our program coordinator. Call 586-2612 or email at kriopelle@ccfpd.org School tours may be scheduled through our educator, Sandy Osborne at 586-2612 or email at sosborne@ccfpd.org
Appraisals
Do you appraise or authenticate antiques?
No, it would be a conflict of interests for us to appraise objects in your possession.
Caring for your Heirlooms
How do I care for my family heirloom?
We would be happy to advise you on the care of your family heirlooms. Please feel free to call our Curator for advice at 586-2612 or email bgarvey@ccfpd.org
Memberships
Do you have a membership?
The museum no longer has a membership program but we do have a Friends program. If you'd like to become a Friend of the Museum click here, contact our director Cheryl Kennedy for more information at 586-2612 or ckennedy@ccfpd.org.
Donations
What kinds of things do you accept into your collection?
Our collecting period dates to 50 years before present. We accept all sorts of objects, particularly those which illustrate the cultural and natural history of E. Central Illinois and Champaign County. We accept items temporarily, until they are reviewed by our Museum's Advisory Committee. If accepted by the committee, items will become part of our permanent collection. For more information contact Assistant Director Barb Garvey, bgarvey@ccfpd.org.
