Marajen's Personal Collection
Marajen Stevick Chinigo's personal collection includes handwritten letters to her mother Helen, correspondences with the News-Gazette office, and extensive photographs of her business and social endevors.
One aspect of her collection is magazines she appeared in. Marajen appeared in multiple editions of Celebrity-Society, a highly exclusive, luxury lifestyle magazine based out of Beverly Hills, California that promotes events, issues, and passions in the philanthropic community. According to her collection, she was in the following editions: February 1983, October 1985, November 1985, June 1986, December 1986, February 1987, May 1987, December 1987, May 1988, December 1989, May 1991, December 1991, September 1992, and December 1996.
In the magazine, she received praise for her work with the News-Gazette, received multiple awards for her philanthropy, and praise for annual parties at her villa in Italy.
The opening of The Stevick Building was featured in the October 1985 edition of Celebrity-Society. Photographs feature Marajen, parts of the News-Gazette staff, and President of the University of Illinois Stanley and Judy Ikenberry present at the gala opening, dedication, and blessing of The Stevick Building.
Additionally, Marajen had an extensive collection of photographs from events in her daily life. One photo album showcases two of her dogs, Lucia and Auria, on a trip to The News-Gazette office. They are photographed meeting staff members and touring around the office. Typed captions are added to each photo, articulating how fun the dogs and the staff members had on the visit.
Come in to the Archives to learn more about Marajen's materials. Please allow 48 hours for retrieval of any News-Gazette Collection materials.
The Champaign County History Museum at the Historic Cattle Bank has an exhibit on the paintings of Marajen Stevick Chinigo available at Inspirato da Torre di Civita: The Paintings of Marajen Stevick Chinigo · Champaign County History Museum Digital Exhibits (omeka.net).