08/28/2026
As we continue to celebrate the largest individual donation in the museum's history and the creation of the Glen and Polly Barton Endowment Fund for Education, we reflect on the support of the singular Polly Barton.
Polly made the initial investment to start the Museum flagship program, the Every Student Initiative, and her legacy lives on through this endowment fund.
Polly, and the Barton family's philanthropy has made an incredible difference for the Peoria Riverfront Museum. In 2024, Polly was awarded the highest honor the museum can bestow, the Peoria Riverfront Museum's James Smithson Leadership award, for her endless support, her constant care for our community, and her steadfast philanthropic spirit.
The goal of the Every Student Initiative, created in 2017, is to engage every student from public, private and homeschool organizations in central Illinois, by funding curricula-friendly educational visits to the museum. The program support includes free family passes for each student.
Today, the museum works with over 55 fully sponsored schools in public and private school districts across central Illinois, welcoming thousands of students to see some of the greatest exhibitions of art, history, science and achievement right here, at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
Learn more about the Every Student Initiative on our website today: RiverfrontMuseum.org
