The Junior League of Peoria is proud of our 90 year history of serving the Peoria Area. Below you can find a detailed history of our past projects.

• 1936 - Junior League of Peoria Established

  The Junior League of Peoria was established as a chapter of the Association of Junior Leagues of America which was founded in 1901 by Mary Harriman in New York City.

  

• 1936 - Dental Dispensary

  The League assisted in and funded dental services. Eventually care was transferred to the Board of Education.

  

• 1936 - Children's Theatre & Puppet Show

  Children’s Theatre brought live drama and educational shows performed by League members to schools, reaching a peak one year of 46 schools and 16,000 children. It ran until 1971.

  

• 1938 - Maternity Center

  The first one in Illinois. The League worked in cooperation with Peoria Medical Society and Public Health Board.

• 1941 - Well-Baby Clinic

  In connection with the maternity center, babies were given checkups through the first year of life.

  

• 1944 - Central Volunteer Bureau

  The League secured hospital and agency volunteers alongside the Greater Peoria Community Fund and Council.

• 1946 - Julep's Closet

  A rummage sale offering community members reasonably priced goods and funding League projects. It continued until 2013.

  

• 1947 - TAC Town Craft Center

  The League taught arts and crafts to all ages. Classes were transferred to the Board of Education.

  

• 1951 - Vision & Hearing Conservation Program

  The League helped provide vision and hearing testing in local schools. Testing was transferred to the Board of Education.

• 1952 - Scholarships

  Contributions to the Peoria Council for Mentally Retarded (now called EP!C) were provided by the League.

• 1953 - Youth Concerts

  The League sponsored youth concerts along with the Women’s Symphony Guild. Transferred future series to the Guild.

• 1957 - Book Bazaar

  The League held the bazaar in cooperation with Arts & Science Center. Transferred to the Lakeview Museum programs area.

• 1958 - Lakeview Museum Docents

  Lakeview Museum tours and training were provided by League volunteers.

  

• 1958 - Bon Jour Amis, Sunrise & Spectrum

  The League co-sponsored early educational TV programs with WMBD.

• 1960 - Sterling Merit Awards

  The League honored outstanding area high school seniors alongside the Peoria Journal Star.

  

• 1961 - Community Workshop

  Cooperated with YWCA and YMCA, the League assisted in a grooming, recreational and tutoring program.

• 1967 - Opera

  The Metropolitan Opera Company was brought to Peoria by the Amateur Music Club and the League.

  

• 1968 - School Loan Program

  In cooperation with Lakeview and School District 150, League members provided an audio-visual series that traveled to the students.

  

• 1969 - Juvenile Court Volunteers

  League volunteers assisted in the rehabilitation of teenagers on probation. Turned into the Court Counselor Program.

• 1969 - High School Outreach Work

  Volunteers educated students on drug abuse. A cooperative project between the League, District 150, YMCA, and the Federal Government, the effort was transferred to YMCA and Heart of Illinois United Way.

  

• 1970 - School Volunteer Program

  League members were involved in area schools on a weekly basis.

• 1973 - Volunteer Action Center of Greater Peoria (VAC)

  In cooperation with the Heart of Illinois United Fund volunteers were placed throughout the community.

• 1974 - Youth Emergency System (YES)

  The League provided emergency care and shelter for runaway girls in sponsorship with Florence Crittenton Home and Youth Services System.

• 1974 - Project Screen

  Pre-school testing for early educational needs was provided by the League. Transferred to District 150 and PACLD.