Fairbury City Museum

10/13/2026

Happy Navy Day!

What is the difference between Navy Day and the Navy Birthday? Both occur in the month of October, and both celebrate the men and women of the United States Navy, past and present. The Navy celebrates its birthday officially on October 13, and Navy Day was established to be observed on October 27.

10/13/2026

Someone made a sacrifice for all of us. Thank a veteran today.

10/13/2026

Remember this guy? He did an amazing job his whole career. From the curator's desk.

So who remembers when this guy was the voice of the news?

10/13/2026

Happy 251st Birthday to the United States Navy!

The VA Center for Women Veterans celebrates the generations of Sailors who have answered our nation's call.

We especially want to recognize our Sister Veterans, whose service, leadership, and sacrifice are an important part of the Navy's proud history and its future.

To every Sister Veteran who has worn the Navy uniform: we see you, we honor your service, and we thank you for continuing to lead in your communities long after your military service ends.

Sister Navy Veterans, sound off! Tell us when and where you served. Tag a shipmate you served with.

10/11/2026

A full corn crib standing ready before the first snow meant a family could actually relax a little as winter closed in. 🌾

Corn cribs were built with slatted wooden sides specifically designed to let air circulate freely through the stored ears, preventing the mold and rot that could otherwise ruin an entire harvest before it was ever used. Corn stored this way fed both livestock and family through the winter months, making the crib one of the most important structures on any mountain farm despite its simple construction. Filling it completely after a good harvest represented real security, visible proof that the upcoming winter would not catch the family without enough feed and food to make it through.

Building and maintaining a corn crib took real carpentry skill, since the spacing between slats had to be precise enough to let air through while still keeping the corn itself contained and protected from animals looking for an easy meal. A crib standing empty by late winter meant careful rationing had worked exactly as planned, while one that ran out too early could mean a genuinely difficult final stretch before spring planting began again.

That slatted wooden structure represented an entire season's worth of careful planning stacked ear by ear.

10/11/2026

Remember what tomorrow is. From the curator's desk.

10/11/2026

🇺🇸⚓ 250 YEARS AGO TODAY… AMERICA LOST A NAVAL BATTLE THAT HELPED SAVE ITS REVOLUTION! 🇺🇸✨

On October 11, 1776, a dramatic battle unfolded on Lake Champlain, New York, that would help change the course of American history.

🚢 The Battle of Valcour Island saw a small American fleet, commanded by Benedict Arnold, face a much stronger British naval force.

💥 The Americans suffered devastating losses. Their ships were destroyed or captured, and the British claimed victory.

But here’s the incredible twist… 🇺🇸

Although America lost the battle, its courageous resistance helped delay the British advance until 1777, giving the Continental Army valuable time to prepare for the fight ahead.

🏆 That delay helped set the stage for the American victory at Saratoga the following year — a turning point in the struggle for independence.

🎖️ TODAY, 250 YEARS LATER, Americans commemorate this historic moment with a special anniversary ceremony and naval battle reenactment in Plattsburgh, New York.

📅 October 11, 2026
📍 Plattsburgh City Beach, Lake Champlain, NY

❤️ Sometimes, a battle lost can help win a nation’s freedom.

🇺🇸 Did you know about this remarkable chapter of American history?