Those looking for world-class education on wildlife in their own backyards, soon will not have to travel to the Field Museum in Chicago.

The Midwest Museum of Natural History recently received a $175,000 grant from the Illinois Transportation Board. The grant increased the total museum funds to nearly $1 million of the $1.2 million needed to start production on the museum.

The board then will look to raise another $500,000 to add technology that will provide easy access to information. The money will provide electronic touchpads and Internet capabilities for the museum.

The project first started when a local family volunteered to donate the exhibits that currently are housed at their residence. Russ Schelkopf, a local veterinarian, will donate over 350 specimens he has collected in the last 30 years.

The museum will be built at an old community center located in Sycamore, which was used by the park district. Once the rest of the money has been raised, the renovation project will begin.

After the renovation, the museum will have 6,000 square feet of display space and a unique second level that allows the exhibits to be viewed in a completely different manner.

“What’s kind of unique is that while most exhibits can only be seen by from one perspective, this building has an open mezzanine level so people have a second perspective to view the collection,” said Kenneth Mundy, president of the Museum Board. “There are three reasons this project is important: education, tourism and preservation of the collection and everything that goes with that; the most important being education.”

For example, before a class arrives, the museum’s interactive Web site will allow teachers to download lesson plans, and with the renovation of the mezzanine level, the teacher can teach the entire class from the exhibits floor while they view from above.

The board plans for the facility to be of the highest quality. It plans on working with Rich Faron, previously with the Field Museum, to ensure it gets things right. Faron brings much to the table having 20 years experience, most notable of which is putting together the tyrannosaurus exhibit, and now owns his own corporation, Museum Explorer.

“We’re very fortunate Mr. Faron has joined the project,” Mundy said. “He will help us create exhibits of world class quality.”

Mundy added that the quality of the project can be seen by looking further into the ITB grant they received. He points to the fact that though 50 projects applied for the grant, this project received one-third of the board’s yearly budget.

The museum will be split into different sections that will include history, North America and Africa, as well as transition educational areas to promote ecological and biological awareness.

“The plan is to incorporate into the museum a whole journey,” Mundy said.

Those looking to visit the new Midwest Museum of Natural History will have to wait until the fall or winter of 2003. But those looking to support the museum can purchase baseball caps with the logo on it at Ben Franklin Crafts, located at 341 State St. in Sycamore, for a minimum donation of $15.