Historic Treasures Mystery Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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NOTE: The quiz questions that were the posted for this cache have been CHANGED. Due to the installation and removal of some of the exhibits you now ask at the information desk for the questions sheet before looking for the exhibits that provide the answers. (Sorry for the delay in posting this update.)
To find this special cache you'll need to immerse yourself in some local history. Find the key. Then find the cache!
NOTE: The quiz questions that were the posted for this cache have been CHANGED. Due to the installation and removal of some of the exhibits you now ask at the information desk for the questions sheet before looking for the exhibits that provide the answers. (Sorry for the delay in posting this update.)
Museum Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm
Parking: Free street parking is available in 2-hour time slots and there is a metered lot (50¢/hour) directly east of the History Center. Bloomington Transit Bus Lines 1-7 and two parking garages are all within 3 blocks of the History Center.
To qualify to log this cache you will need to download and complete a quiz involving 20 questions. These questions can be answered during a visit to Bloomington's History Center, located at 6th and Washington streets. The posted coordinates help you locate a key which will open the actual cache container. (Sounds simple enough.) But your task is just beginning! If you find the key and present it to the volunteer inside the door of the museum you will be granted free admission. (Note: The museum staff have been very gracious in allowing us to place this cache and waive the admission fee.) Having gained admission, you will need to answer 20 questions before you can use the key. The questions are on an image in the photo gallery that is part of this listing. When you think you have done enough sifting through history to answer the questions correctly proceed back to the entrance and show your answers to the volunteer at the front desk. (They knew where the actual cache was all along!) If you answer the questions correctly, the location of the actual cache will be revealed to you. At that point, use the key to open the chest, sign the log book, and maybe help yourself to a token of your adventure.
Remember, everything in this museum is precious. You will not need to touch anything or move anything except to answer two particular questions:
You are allowed to push aside the curtain that covers the closet in the cabin.
You are allowed to push a red button. Other than that, please don't touch.
NOTE: The document archive room on the ground floor is used for serious research. You will not need to enter the actual archive research room for any answers. You might want to peruse the short hallway leading to the archive room though. Just a thought.
ALSO: None of the answers require you to enter any administrative areas or the gift shop. (Though the gift shop has some cool stuff worth taking a look at!)
The great thing about this cache is that the dedicated staff of the Monroe County History Center and members of The Monroe County Historical Society, Inc. are in full support. They have allowed us to place a cache here that involves you, the geocacher, coming inside and familiarizing yourself with some of the history of Monroe County. This museum is housed in the Monroe County Carnegie Library Building (on the National Register of Historic Buildings); such libraries were a gift to various communities during the late 1800s to early 1900s. These same grounds were previously the home to Center School, the segregated African-American school for Monroe County. Thankfully, the current building has survived to become a repository of irreplaceable local lore. I'd wager almost anyone that comes to seek this cache will have driven by this building any number of times and not realized what a treasure it is, and what it contains.
NOTE: The quiz questions that were the posted for this cache have been CHANGED. Due to the installation and removal of some of the exhibits you now ask at the information desk for the questions sheet before looking for the exhibits that provide the answers. (Sorry for the delay in posting this update.)
Enjoy the adventure that is this cache. Take the time to find the key, take a minute to tell the volunteer what you're up too, find the answers to the questions, and score this point!
Good luck! And cache on!
-Monstercatambush
For: Bloomington Geocachers
CONGRATULATIONS and a big MonsterCat SHOUT OUT to ErWenn for being the First to Find! I should have known... With his attention to details he probably sets the standard for how long it will take to find this one! Good Work!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Jung'f pbbxvat? (Sbe gur xrl)