Our Story
About Franklin Park Foundation
Franklin Square sits in the heart of Bloomington, Illinois — a city shaped by Abraham Lincoln, Vice President Adlai E. Stevenson I, and generations of engaged citizens. For more than 170 years, this green square has served as a gathering place, a civic landmark, and a symbol of community pride.
Over the decades, however, Franklin Square’s historic features have fallen into disrepair. The monument, pathways, and landscape that once made it a jewel of downtown Bloomington have faded from their original condition. The Franklin Park Foundation was established as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization to reverse that decline.
Guided by a comprehensive Restoration Master Plan, our mission is to restore Franklin Square to its historic character, preserve its stories for future generations, and reestablish it as a vibrant public gathering place in downtown Bloomington.
We are a volunteer-led organization of neighbors, history enthusiasts, and civic-minded residents who believe that preserving our shared spaces is one of the most meaningful investments a community can make.
Leadership
Board of Directors
The Maurer Family (Luke, Hannah, Claire, Michelle & Tim) & Dave Wochner
Historical Timeline
Franklin Square Through the Years
1856
Franklin Square is donated to the City of Bloomington on April 25, 1856 by David Davis, William F. Flagg and William H. Allin as part of the annexation of the Durley Addition into the City of Bloomington, and is Bloomington’s first city park.
1869
The Citizens of McLean County approved the erection of a monument to their 686 fellow citizens who lost their lives in service to the United States of America in the Civil War.
1893–1897
Vice President Adlai E. Stevenson I resides adjacent to the square, bringing national attention to the neighborhood.
1901
Suffragettes gather at the monument base, reflecting the square’s role as a site of civic engagement and social progress.
20th Century
Franklin Square continues as a public green space, including serving as a site for the sale of World War II bonds. Over the decades, however, its historic features gradually deteriorate from deferred maintenance.
1978
A comprehensive Restoration Master Plan is developed, charting the course for a full revival of the park’s historic landscape and features.
2022
The Franklin Park Foundation is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to lead the restoration and preservation of the square.