Friends,
Moving Pillsbury Forward and the ALPLM have scheduled a Pillsbury Exhibit reception from 3 to 5pm on Thursday, April 16. The reception is free for all friends and supporters of MPF to attend. Museum staff and MPF members will be available throughout for historical discussions of the Springfield Pillsbury plant. Brief formal remarks about the exhibit and overall Pillsbury Project will take place at 4pm.
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 selection of artifacts and documents to bring the story of those early years to life. Pillsbury not only provided 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. The Springfield Pillsbury exhibit is open now and is scheduled to run through June during regular museum hours.
Thanks for being a part of this important community project!
~ Team Pillsbury
