Peoria Riverfront Museum Kicks Off Peoria Plays America Series with REO Speedwagon’s Gary Richrath, Harlem Globetrotter Curley "Boo" Johnson, Olympian Matt Savoie

Late Peoria-born, East Peoria-raised guitar icon Gary Dean Richrath (1949-2015), lead guitarist for REO Speedwagon, is featured in A Peoria Plays Exhibition: RICHRATH, February 28, 2026 - April 5, 2026, at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Many of Richrath’s guitars are on display.

Museum’s Peoria Plays America Series of 10 Exhibitions Celebrates Local People Who Made a National Impact.

PEORIA, Ill., February 26, 2026—The Peoria Riverfront Museum kicks off its inaugural Peoria Plays America series for America 250, with the opening of two new exhibitions featuring internationally renowned Peoria-born icons: RICHRATH, February 28, 2026 - April 5, 2026, with legendary REO Speedwagon guitarist Gary Richrath, and ATHLETES, February 21, 2026 - April 12, 2026, with Harlem Globetrotter Curley "Boo" Johnson, and champion and Olympic figure skater Matt Savoie.

"Our Peoria Plays America series of 10 exhibitions celebrates local people who made a national impact during the museum’s recognition of America 250 this year, and will continue as a regular feature. We are proud to officially open our first two exhibitions with legendary Peoria-born sports and performance icons," said John D. Morris, president and CEO of the Peoria Riverfront Museum.

A Peoria Plays America Exhibition: RICHRATH, February 28, 2026 - April 5, 2026, introduces the influence of rock’s most influential Peoria son, Gary Dean Richrath (1949-2015), lead guitarist and songwriter for REO Speedwagon. Richrath joined REO Speedwagon in 1970, architecting the band’s transition from a hard-touring bar band to an arena-rock powerhouse through his work as lead guitarist, songwriter, and visionary who reimagined the band’s configuration. The exhibition covers Richrath’s musically formative years in Peoria and features an intimate selection of guitars which figure prominently into his career with REO Speedwagon.

"Gary Richrath honed the melodic sensibility and aggressive edge that would eventually define the ‘Midwestern Rock’ sound in the assorted bars, halls, and venues of Peoria, Illinois. He will forever be remembered for the fiery technique and soulful phrasing that helped define the American soundtrack of the 1970s and 80s," said Bill Conger, chief curator, Peoria Riverfront Museum.

Future Peoria Plays America performance exhibitions will feature Peoria-born icons Dan Fogelberg and Richard Pryor.

A Peoria Plays America Exhibition: RICHRATH is sponsored by Todd and Laurie Baker, America 250 donors, Visionary Society, Friends of Performance.

In Partnership with the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame, A Peoria Plays America Exhibition: ATHLETES, February 21, 2026 - April 12, 2026, the first in a series, spotlights Peorian natives Curley "Boo" Johnson, former Harlem Globetrotter, and champion and Olympic figure skater Matt Savoie.

The Peoria region has shaped athletes who changed their sports forever. Emerging from neighborhood courts, practice fields, school gyms, and recreation centers, Peoria has nurtured athletes whose influence stretched far beyond the city limits into the nation and the world. ATHLETES honors athletes and coaches whose extraordinary achievements echo far beyond central Illinois. Their journeys, while rooted in Peoria, carried onto national and global platforms to inspire pride, resilience, and ambition. Through their triumphs, the exhibition celebrates a legacy of athletic brilliance that continues to shape Peoria’s identity and ignite the dreams of future champions.

Each focused exhibition in the ATHLETES series highlights a notable member of the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame who set records, broke barriers, and redefined what was possible in their sport. Future featured icons include Shaun Livingston, Tim Broe, Lorene Ramsey, and Hersey Hawkins.

A Peoria Plays America Exhibition: ATHLETES is sponsored by Alexis and Elizabeth Khazzam, America 250 donors, and Visionary Society.

The Peoria Plays America exhibition series is part of the Peoria Riverfront Museum’s America 250 celebration, led by The Promise of Liberty, guest curated by Ken Burns.

The Promise of Liberty is sponsored by the Gilmore Foundation, Ashley and Josh Bellamy, McKinnon Family Foundation, America 250 Donors, Visionary Society, Friends of History.

For more information about the exhibitions, 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