Barton Family Foundation Establishes $5 Million Endowment for Every Student Initiative
PEORIA, Ill., August 27, 2026—The Peoria Riverfront Museum received the largest individual gift in museum history, and one of the largest museum gifts in the nation’s history to permanently endow student access, with the establishment of the $5 million Glen and Polly Barton Educational Endowment Fund. The endowment was established by Polly Barton and her family through the Barton Family Foundation to perpetually support the museum’s flagship student, family and teacher access program, the Every Student Initiative (ESI).
Entering its 10th year, the groundbreaking ESI program for Peoria-area schools has become the most successful museum access program of its kind in the nation, providing free access for students, their families, and teachers. The program began in 2017, when museum board member emerita and former Peoria Public Schools Board President Sally Snyder challenged Peoria Riverfront Museum President and CEO John Morris to allow free access for every student every year. ESI now includes more than 50 fully sponsored schools.
The Barton Family Foundation was established in memorium after the death of Glen Barton, former chairman and CEO of Caterpillar, in October 2016. The Barton Family Foundation’s first gift supported the launch of the ESI concept.
Polly Barton, a native of Peoria and lifelong educator, community volunteer, and philanthropist, served on the Peoria Riverfront Museum’s Foundation board, President’s Advisory Council, and Every Student Initiative Advisory Council, and was the recipient of the museum’s 2023 James Smithson Leadership Award.
“Polly Barton and her late husband Glen Barton, who helped fund the creation of the Peoria Riverfront Museum in 2012, are the largest individual donors in the history of the museum and among the most important philanthropists for education, culture, and healthcare in Greater Peoria for more than three decades,” said John D. Morris, president and CEO of the Peoria Riverfront Museum. “The establishment of this historic $5 million endowment, with one of the largest museum gifts for such a program in our nation’s history, permanently supports the Every Student Initiative, the most successful student, parent, teacher program of its kind in the nation.”
Representing the museum at the announcement were Peoria Riverfront Museum board chair Derek Schryer, board member emerita Sally Snyder, chair of the ESI Advisory Council, Peoria Riverfront Museum Foundation board members Kevin Colgan and Nancy Snowden, and Superintendent of Peoria Public Schools Dr. Jerry Bell, representing the largest and first partner of the Every Student Initiative. The Foundation board, led by chair Patricia Cutilletta, oversees the investments of the museum’s overall endowment, which now exceeds $21.5 million.
Growing the endowment dedicated to ESI shores up student access for generations to come, allowing the museum to continue improving the quality of the experience for Peoria students and the broader region.
In addition, this gift furthers the museum’s commitment to access for all students, as demonstrated by the establishment of the All-Illinois Student Access Pass, which provides every pre-K through grade 12 student in Illinois with free access to the museum through this 2026 calendar year in celebration of America 250.
More than 25,000 students are expected to visit the museum for free this year. The ESI program is supported by hundreds of donors, the Visionary Society, and the proceeds raised from the annual Christmas in the Village, chaired by Alison Unkovich.
For information about the Every Student Initiative, contact Group Visit Specialist Tina Ori at Tori@peoriariverfrontmuseum.org
For more information about the museum, visit 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
