217 Today: How a National Music Museum made its home in the Midwest

Darryl Martin examines a harpsichord during a tour at the National Music Museum. Martin moved to Vermillion from Belgium for the chance to manage one of the world’s most significant instrument collections and to lead one of the only graduate programs specializing in the history of musical instruments.

Monday, January 22, 2024

Today’s headlines: 

  • A federal judge has ruled in favor of Illini basketball star Terrence Shannon, Jr, who has been accused of rape in Kansas.
  • The Illinois Supreme Court has upheld a 2019 law that consolidated more than 600 suburban and downstate police and fire pension funds.
  • The Fighting Illini men’s basketball team won at home yesterday against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about why the National Music Museum — home to everything from the world’s oldest cello to Elvis’ guitars — is in Vermillion, South Dakota.

Reporting today contributed by Emily Hays, Alex Degman, Colin Hislope and Elizabeth Rembert.

Farrah Anderson

Farrah Anderson is a 2024 graduate of the University of Illinois. At Illinois Public Media, Anderson works as a general assignment reporter focusing on police and investigative stories.