Urbana University artifacts donated to Champaign County Historical Museum

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY — Hundreds, possibly thousands of artifacts from the now-closed Urbana University have found a new home at the Champaign County Historical Society Museum.

Museum Director Cheryl Ogden told News Center 7′s Jenna Lawson that the items were donated with the help of the librarian at Urbana University.

Dozens of boxes arrived at the museum last week containing yearbooks, college catalogs, sports programs and pictures – some from recent years and other items from as far back as the university’s founding in 1850, like the deed to the university land from John James.

“Champaign County would not have been the same without the university there,” Ogden said.

Another load of artifacts  is expected to arrive on Wednesday. Then historical society members will begin the task of sorting through the items and cataloging them. They are asking for help from any volunteers.

Ogden would like to get items on display in the museum as soon as possible for researchers who may want to have access to them or just Urbana University alumni who want to take a walk down memory lane.

She said preserving these items and displaying them may provide some closure for those who are still grappling with the news of the university’s closure.

“The next chapter of Urbana University is just to make sure the last chapter is remembered,” Ogden said.

Urbana University’s parent – Franklin University – announced the closure in April, citing falling enrollment and COVID-19 as factors.

It’s not clear what’s next for the physical campus, but a spokeswoman for Franklin University told News Center 7 on Tuesday that the university is currently in the appraisal process and considering potential real estate firms.

Cox Media Group