CAMBRIDGE, Ill. — The Cambridge Natural History Museum will celebrate its one-year anniversary with an open house and fundraising kickoff on Saturday, August 9, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 132 W. Center Street. The event will feature guided tours, hands-on activities, and the launch of a $50,000 campaign to help secure a permanent home for the museum.
The museum was founded in 2024 by Anderson Taylor, who is now 10 years old. What began as a single fossil display has grown into eleven full exhibits of minerals, fossils, and natural artifacts, many of which were donated by families from across the country. Taylor will lead tours at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., offering visitors a look at how the collection has evolved.
Plans for the future include a gift shop, expanded exhibit space, and an upstairs apartment for guest lodging and added revenue. The museum currently rents its building, and organizers say owning the property is key to ensuring its long-term survival in the Cambridge community.
The new fundraising campaign seeks to raise $50,000 to purchase and renovate the building. Donations can be made online, by mail, or in person at BankORION in Cambridge. All donors will be recognized on a plaque inside the museum, which is free to attend and open to the public.