Chicago Art Deco Society
P.O. Box 1116 Evanston, IL 60204-1116 (312) 280-9097 email: chicagoartdecosociety@yahoo.com
A non-profit membership organization whose mission is "to preserve all things Art Deco." That includes housing, commercial structures, and landscaping, Their periodical CADS covers architecture including Bloomington's State Farm building and Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Regular meetings; special events; speakers; tours of Chicago and other Midwestern cities. A good way to talk to other Art Deco period enthusiasts.
McLean County Barn Keepers
For information call McLean County Extension Service (309) 663-8306
A local group interested in documenting history and preserving barns in McLean County. About 1200 remain from the 4500 barns in the county fifty years ago.
McLean County Museum of History
200 North Main Street Bloomington, IL 61701 (309) 827-0428
The William O. Davis research library has extensive primary and secondary research materials including photographs, inventories, newspapers, books, albums, and pamphlets. Visual materials and written text can help with identifying and dating your home and placing it within its historical and cultural context.
Victorian Society of America
1636 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 | Phone: 215-636-9872
The only national organization specifically devoted to preserving 19c heritage including design, architecture, and landscaping. A journal and a comprehensive research library. The St. Louis chapter is the nearest area chapter for programs, tours, and speakers. Web site has a link to a list of house museums open to the public. Choose "Resources" from the home page.
Vernacular Architecture
Forum
Interested in ordinary architecture? This membership with diverse interests and backgrounds studies such things as traditional structures, agricultural buildings, 20c suburban houses, settlement patterns. Interests of this multidisciplinary group well suits the McLean County area with its blend of rural, city, and suburban heritage.