Million Dollar Gift and other announcements made at State of the Museum 2026
PEORIA, Ill., June 25, 2026—At its annual State of the Museum held last night, the Peoria Riverfront Museum announced a one-million-dollar gift from Linda Beth and Ed Sutkowski to support special initiatives in the coming year. These initiatives will include MUSEUM+, enhancing performance at the museum.
“The Peoria Riverfront Museum is grateful for Linda Beth and Ed Sutkowski’s million dollar gift to support the expansion of the art of performance at the museum,” said John Morris, president and CEO of the Peoria Riverfront Museum. “Their gift follows the establishment of the MUSEUM+ initiative. To lead the initiative, Dr. Julie Gunn of the University of Illinois will be appointed director and Nathan Gunn will serve as artist in residence."
In addition to their roles with the Peoria Riverfront Museum, the Gunns will continue to serve as professors of music at the University of Illinois and co-directors of the prestigious Lyric Theater at Illinois.
The State of the Museum presentation, led by Peoria Riverfront Museum Board Chair Todd Baker and President, celebrated a monumental fiscal year marked by record philanthropy, surging digital engagement, and landmark exhibitions and programs commemorating America 250, featuring the nationally acclaimed exhibition, The Promise of Liberty, guest-curated by Ken Burns. A new slate of board officers was also announced.
Event Highlights
In honor of America’s 250th birthday, the museum announced the acquisition of the rare 1833 William J. Stone printing of the 1776 Declaration of Independence, with philanthropic support from Doug and Diane Oberhelman, for its permanent collection. This foundational piece of American history established the iconic layout, distinctive script, and signature arrangement recognized by millions today.
Past museum board chair Steve Jackson received this year’s James Smithson Leadership Award, the museum’s highest honor, given to individuals who have made significant contributions. Steve Jackson’s talent for teamwork and relationship-building helped quadruple the museum’s Visionary Society membership during his tenure on the board. He currently serves as the Visionary Society chair.
New Slate of Board Officers
The Peoria Riverfront Museum Board of Directors announced a new slate of officers: Chairman Derek Schryer, Vice Chairman Sid Ruckriegel, Treasurer Karen Jensen, and Secretary Gretchen Hagen Petrakis.
Directors Aaron Kilgore, Jason Fark, and Dr. Keith Knepp have been reelected to new terms. They are joined by newly elected board members Alex Crowley, Chief Client Officer at Vonachen Group, Kim Russo, CEO of OSF HealthCare’s Central Region, Associate Judge Katherine Legge of Tazewell County, and Dr. Meenakshy Aiyer, Regional Dean of the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria.
Other board members are Dr. Derrick Booth, Eric Heard, Kathy Ma, Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey, Dr. Chris Reynolds, Josh Swank, Rob Temple, Alison Cullinan Unkovich, Seth Uphoff and Dr. Sarah Zallek, MD, and board emerita Sally Snyder.
The museum welcomes these distinguished community leaders as it continues to advance its mission to unleash the full talent and genius of every individual.
During his tenure, outgoing Board Chair Todd Baker led the board that launched the museum's America 250 exhibitions and programs, achieving national recognition.
For more information, visit the museum’s website at peoriariverfrontmuseum.org.
About Peoria Riverfront Museum
The Peoria Riverfront Museum is the only multidisciplinary institution of its kind in the nation, combining art, science, history, and achievement. The museum is dedicated to using its collections, exhibitions, giant screen theater, dome planetarium, and programming to tell the stories that build confidence, spark life-long learning, and unleash the full talent and genius of every individual. Learn more at riverfrontmuseum.org.
Contact Melody Konrad, Peoria Riverfront Museum assistant director of marketing and communications at MKonrad@peoriariverfrontmuseum.org
