The Illinois State Fair Museum
Pam Gray>ISM Interviews A-L>ISM Interviews A-L, Segment 11
- NON-FARM WORK
- Transition to Museum Director took place after photos were found in the Agriculture Building. Photos were taped on the wall so Fair visitors could view the pictures. One photo was brought to her attention by a man whose son was in a group of 12 young boys around President Nixon. Nixon was on a platform reaching down to shake hands with the boys. The man said that he did not know that the photo existed, and that his son had been killed in the Vietnam War. A copy of the photo was provided to the father. It was at this point that Pam realized that the photos were really about the people. That event took place 14 years ago and every year since that time she has encountered a similar story. The displays became so popular that they were moved from the Artisan's building first to the south end of grandstand and now take up the entire north end of grandstand.
