The MRF Roadshow exhibit at the Madison County History Museum in Edwardsville has proved to be so popular that the schedule has been extended to include all of July. For those who attended the Mississippi River Festival (MRF), the exhibit has been a trip down memory lane. Visitors also enjoy reminiscing with fellow concert goers and music lovers who visit the exhibit.
The Mississippi River Festival (MRF), located on the campus of Southern Illinois University, was a cultural phenomenon that brought artists and fans from around the country to Edwardsville. The summer festival also put SIUE's new university on the map. From June 1969 through August 1980 more than 1.5 million people attended concerts at the MRF.
The MRF Roadshow exhibit, curated by Lyle Ward, has posters, photographs, and artifacts from Ward's personal collection. Also included are schedules (posters) and commemorative t-shirts for every season, autographed photographs of performers, samples of some of the contracts from popular artists of the day spelling out their demands and what it cost to bring them here, plus tickets, gifts from tent master Skip Manley, awards, parts of the giant tent, a plaque celebrating the one millionth ticket sold, and much more.
The Madison County History Museum is located at 715 N. Main St. in Edwardsville, Illinois. Museum hours are Wed.-Fri, Noon-4 p.m. and on Sunday 1-4 p.m. or by appointment for groups through the month of July. Lyle Ward and his wife, Shirley, are hosts for the exhibit on Sundays, but will often stop by on other days as well. The exhibit is available free and open to the public. For more information, call 618-656-7569.