On September 18, 2025, NPR Illinois, in partnership with the University of Illinois Springfield’s Sangamon Experience and the City of Springfield, hosted a special exhibit at the Lincoln Library celebrating 50 years of public radio in Illinois’ capital city.

The event, titled “Explaining Illinois: 50 Years of NPR Illinois,” brought together current and former NPR Illinois staff, interns, and affiliates for a ribbon-cutting ceremony honoring the station’s long history. With two floors of exhibits, speeches, refreshments, and trivia, the evening was a mix of nostalgia and community connection.

The exhibit was curated by Evie Rodenbaugh, Graduate Assistant for the Sangamon Experience at UIS. According to the program’s website, the Sangamon Experience “presents the history of the Sangamon Region through an on-campus exhibition space, online projects, and community collaborations.”

NPR Illinois first began broadcasting in 1975 as WSSR, operating from the old Sangamon State University campus, now UIS. The station officially rebranded as NPR Illinois in 2015, marking 40 years of service to central Illinois.

Rodenbaugh emphasized the importance of local storytelling and community engagement in her work.

“It’s so important as local historians to really listen to people,” she said. “They’re trusting us with their words and life experiences, and it’s our job to interpret those stories for a wider audience. I don’t take that trust lightly.”

The exhibit featured memorabilia from across the decades, including handmade mugs, retired broadcast equipment, and detailed maps tracing NPR Illinois’ evolution. Visitors could also explore QR codes linking to digital archives and online resources.

“There are hundreds of photos and an encyclopedic knowledge of NPR Illinois’ 50-year history,” Rodenbaugh said. “It really reflects how much of a labor of love this project has been.”

After the opening reception, Randy Eccles, General Manager of NPR Illinois, welcomed the crowd and introduced speakers including UIS Chancellor Janet Gooch, NPR correspondent Michel Martin, and Rodenbaugh herself.

Martin spoke passionately about the importance of local journalism.

“What’s really important is that you’re here, because you are the reason we exist,” Martin said. “When we say we’re ‘unbought and unbossed,’ when we thank listeners like you, we mean it. Today I actually get to see you—and that means a lot.”

She continued,

“The most important thing we do is keep communities connected. We help people see each other as human beings—and that happens most effectively in local news.”

Rodenbaugh shared that this exhibit is just one step in a larger effort to engage the public with NPR Illinois’ legacy.

“We’re planning a panel discussion with former employees and current staff to reflect on what NPR’s history can teach us about the future of public media,” she said. “We’re also developing programs for local libraries so we can continue sharing NPR Illinois’ story.”

The NPR Illinois exhibit will remain on display at Lincoln Library through May 2026, and an interactive timeline is available as an online exhibit.