In 1951, the Union Asbestos and Rubber Co. opened a Bloomington, Illinois, plant that processed 2.5 tons of
asbestos every day. Once hailed for its strength and heat resistance, asbestos was later revealed to be both toxic and carcinogenic—knowledge the company withheld from workers until it was too late. The exhibit A Deadly Deception: The Asbestos Tragedy in McLean County uses photos, medical reports, and workers’ testimony to expose this hidden history. Recently honored with a national Award of Excellence from the American Association of State & Local History, the exhibit is on view at the McLean County Museum of History through 2026. Details here.