John Wesley Powell: Bloomington-Normal to the Arid Lands with Bill Kemp
Schedule
Tue, 18 Aug, 2026 at 06:30 pm
UTC-05:00Location
200 N Main St, Bloomington, IL, United States, Illinois 61701 | Bloomington, IL
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John Wesley Powell: Bloomington-Normal to the Arid Lands or the American Dream and the Exploitation of the West and Its PeoplesJoin Museum Librarian Bill Kemp for an illustrated program about the life and career of John Wesley Powell, an educator and amateur natural scientist who launched his famed explorations of the American West from Bloomington-Normal in the years after the Civil War. This free, public program will be held in-person in the Museum's second floor courtroom and live-streamed via youtube.com/mchistorymuseum on Tuesday, August 18 at 6:30 p.m.
Powell, an Illinois Wesleyan instructor and curator of a natural science museum on the Illinois State Normal University campus—led the first expedition down the Colorado River and through the Grand Canyon in 1869. His survey work of the Arid Lands—mapping its resources and encountering indigenous peoples—speaks to a host of American 250 themes. Powell grappled with issues ranging from capitalism and equal opportunity to water and land conservation. He also addressed the triumphs and tragedies of Manifest Destiny and the fate of Native peoples. In the late nineteenth century, Powell was asking, “What does it mean to be an American?” It’s a question we’re still trying to answer today.
Questions? or for more information, contact the Education Department at [email protected] or calling us at 309-827-0428.
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Where is it happening?
200 N Main St, Bloomington, IL, United States, Illinois 61701Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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