The College of Education’s Blackwell Museum is looking to raise money this summer for its One-Room School Endowment Fund and a mural project.

The museum, which was founded in 1965, helped construct a one-room school located on campus near Huskie Stadium. The school opened in 1999.

Professor Lucy Townsend, curator for the Blackwell Museum, said few people remember Illinois once operated more than 20,000 one-room schools.

Museum staffers would like to raise money for the school’s maintenance costs, costumes for re-enactments and other things so people can visit the school without paying an entrance fee. There is no fee to visit the museum currently.

The Blackwell Museum staff collects oral histories from local community members and transcribes them for scholarly use.

The Blackwell Museum staff also is looking to raise $3,665 for a mural project.

The plan is to combine art and educational history by having five murals painted and mounted on the walls of the College of Education, Townsend said.

The project will provide a chance for art students to gain experience in mural painting and guide a group of younger students working on the project, she said.

To raise money for the various projects, a banquet will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. June 11 at the Holmes Student Center’s Regency Room. The cost is $50 a plate. Townsend said she hopes to raise $20,000 for the mural project and upkeep of the one-room schoolhouse.

The banquet also will include a silent auction and live music. A portion of the banquet is reserved for recognizing individuals who have contributed to rural education.

The museum also is looking for people who are willing to help raise money for the banquet and set up and greet people.

If you would like to make a reservation or have questions about volunteering or donating, call 753-1561 or e-mail [email protected].