Classic police cruisers, vintage uniforms and old-time communications
equipment are all part of a new Illinois State Police history museum that opens
to the public this week.
After eight years of planning and about a year of construction and
preparation, the museum at 3936 Peoria Road will be dedicated during a ceremony
at 10 a.m. Friday, the same day as the 83rd anniversary of the agency's
founding.
[snip]
Much of the volunteer-run museum's collection comes from state police
employees who have donated career memorabilia.
A lot of those items - including old uniforms, patches, firearms,
photographs and communications equipment - will be on display in the main part
of the museum, in a newly constructed building at the rear of the Peoria Road
property that the foundation obtained a year ago.
The other side of the building has garage space for the foundation's
Illinois State Police vehicle collection, which includes 1951 and 1966 squad
cars. There also is a 1996 Ford Crown Victoria that has the 75th anniversary
markings on it.
The foundation recently obtained a 1990 Chevrolet Caprice squad car.
Donations are being sought to refurbish it.
In addition to putting in the new building, the foundation renovated
two small houses that came with the property.
One of the houses will be used as a small gift shop that will sell
state police shirts, coffee mugs and afghans.
Afghans?
But, hey, this has possibilities. May I suggest some displays:
State Police Dirty Tricks - the history of cops hiding behind hills and billboards and on overpasses trying to catch speeders. It could be interactive, like a haunted house, where the cop jumps out at you when you least expect it.
The Hall of Shame - State cops gone bad. Like the one up near Freeport a few years ago that was caught drunk and asleep in his squad car. Or Blagojevich's huge 'security' detail. You know, thinks their not all that proud of. For balance.
Hard Core Speeders - Profiles of the lead foots (lead feet?) who have amassed the most tickets through the years. I'd be interested to see where I place.
Troopers and Hollywood - the ISP in films. Illinois' finest have appeared in a number of well-know movies including The Blues Brothers (the new one and the good one) and Silver Streak.
I Fought the Law and the Law Won - famous people and their "experiences" with the State Police. I have no examples here but surely there have been some celebrities who have gotten busted by the Man here in the Land of Lincoln.
Just a few ideas. Have any more?
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