Friends,
Moving Pillsbury Forward partnered with the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum these past several months to develop a new exhibit focused on the early years (1929 to 1949) of the Springfield Pillsbury Plant. The exhibit represents an era in local manufacturing that provided hundreds of good jobs during the Great Depression and set the stage for future expansion at the plant in the 1950’s and 60’s. And it highlights the huge ripple effect of economic activity that came to our community with industrial scale flour manufacturing.
The professional staff at the ALPLM utilized a great selection of artifacts and documents to bring the story of those early years to life. Pillsbury not only provided great jobs, but it also developed a workforce culture that engaged civic and recreational activities throughout Springfield. The softball and bowling leagues, the company picnics, and participation in civic organizations were all a part of it.
The exhibit is located just outside of the Ghosts of the Library Halovision Theater within the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. Visitors can view the exhibit at the standard full-museum admission or a special admission rate for just the Pillsbury exhibit. Either way…certainly worth experiencing. The Springfield Pillsbury exhibit is open now and is scheduled to run through the end of May during regular museum hours.
Special thanks to the local families that donated artifacts and documents.
Thanks for being a part of this important community project!
~ Team Pillsbury
