June through August: Open by appointment only
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From the late 1940s through the mid 1970s, Springfield natives Phil and Kitty Trutter traveled extensively.
From the many countries and principalities they visited over the years, they collected a vast array of artifacts, mementos and other cultural items of interest.
After Mrs. Trutter's death in 1977, Mr. Trutter purchased additional objects from a number of knowledgeable dealers in the United States. Upon his death in 2000, much of their extensive collection was bequeathed to the Lincoln Land Community College Foundation with a generous stipend to establish a museum on the college's main Springfield campus.
As a community-focused institution, we are proud to be the home of the Trutter Museum and to further share Phil and Kitty's love of lifelong learning with our students, faculty, staff and community.
Clearly, the Trutters believed in the values held at LLCC... creativity, diversity, learning, compassion and respect.
Museum Facts:
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Exhibits consist of individual items from a collection of more than 750 world heritage pieces.
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The museum logo was designed from Phil's signature and executed by LLCC Art faculty Thom Whalen.
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The Trutters visited 100 countries and crossed the globe several times.
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The Trutter collection features many world and cultural items, including signed prints by Marc Chagall and Salvador Dali, a world coin collection, many Asian items, plus family archival items.
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LLCC's three-fold mission for the Trutter Museum is to establish an exhibit program, offer educational programs and tours and be a responsible curator of the collection.
Phil Trutter was born July 2, 1913 and was a lifelong Springfield resident. He graduated from Springfield High School, Springfield Jr. College (1933), and the University of Illinois (1938). He was one of the principals of architectural firm, Trutter, Cooley & Toberman and designed many Springfield landmarks including The Hope School, Abraham Lincoln Capitol Airport, and several schools including Grant, Franklin and Washington Middle Schools and the original Griffin High School. Mr. Trutter passed away in December 2000 at the age of 87.
Mary Kathryn "Kitty" Trutter was born Feb. 28, 1913, under the maiden name of Whilms. She, too was a native of Springfield, graduating from Springfield High School, Monticello College and the University of Iowa, majoring in Theater and English. She married Phil Trutter on May 8, 1943, gave birth to twin daughters on October 19, 1945 and died in July of 1977 at the age of 64. Kitty was very active in many Springfield theater productions as an actress, director and play author.
We will always be grateful to the generosity that the Trutters showed to Lincoln Land Community College. Their memory will live on within the Trutter Museum.
