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Museums that preserve the history of the region can be found in almost every city and village. It's amazing what has been carefully preserved to give us a glimpse into the past.

Your search for Museums generated 47 result(s). The results below are sorted by city.
Emma Kunz House (Belleville) Considered to be the oldest Greek Revival style home in Illinois, the house contains antiques and memorabilia from the 1800s. 602 Fulton Street | Belleville, IL 618-234-0600
Labor & Industry Museum (Belleville) The collection is extensive and reflects the stove, agricultural, stencil, cigar and glassmaking industries. Recently an 1850s blacksmith shop has been added, and the gigantic and famous Harrison Jumbo steam engine is part of the collection. The museum is housed in an 1837 German Streethouse and an 1870 manufactory building. 123 N. Church St. | Belleville, IL 62220 618-233-0123
St. Clair County Historical Society Museum (Belleville) A Victorian adaptation of a Greek Revival home built in the early 1800's, the museum has furniture, vintage clothing, artifacts, quilts and an extensive research library and gift shop. 701 E Washington Street | Belleville, IL 618-234-0600
St. Louis Air & Space Museum (Cahokia) Learn about the St. Louis area's storied history of aviation. See Gus Grissom's flight suit, a collection of TWA artifacts and a 1941 biplane. 2300 Vector Drive | Cahokia, IL 62206 618-332-3664 | 877-332-3664
Clinton County Historical Museum (Carlyle) Built in the late 1800s as a private home, the museum holds many artifacts from the area, including genealogical material, books, and periodicals on the history of the county. 1091 Franklin Street | Carlyle, IL | 618-594-2468
Centralia Historical Society Museum (Centralia) Termed "One of the Hidden Gems of the Midwest," this 3-story former grocery warehouse features a large model train layout, agriculture and oil memorabilia. The 1947 mine disaster display plus local "orphan" sports items are worth the trip. 240 S. Locust Street | Centralia, IL 618-545-0657
Spinach Can Collectibles Museum (Chester) Located in the 1875 Opera House, this is the home of the official Popeye Fan Club and has memorabilia on display dating back to the early twentieth century. 1001 State Street | Chester, IL 62233 618-826-4567
Randolph County Museum & Archives (Chester) See an old electric chair (last used to execute a woman who killed her brother), and many county & Native American artifacts and Kaskaskia manuscripts. It is located next to the Courthouse and Courtyard of Flags. 1 Taylor Street | Chester, IL 618-826-2667
Collinsville Historical Society Museum (Collinsville) Local and world history come alive in this new state of the art facility. 406 West Main Street | Collinsville, IL 618-344-1834
Miller-Fiege Home (Columbia) The 1850s building is a vernacular German cottage with Italianate influences. The home contains antiques from the 1800s and the ensuring period. Rotating exhibits are planned to showcase Columbia and Monroe County. Tours are by appointment. 130 S. Main St. 618-281-7144, ext 118
Katherine Dunham Museum (East St. Louis) The museum houses Miss Dunham's outstanding collection of symbolic and functional art, including more than 250 African and Caribbean art objects from more than 50 countries. Admission is free. Visit Our Website 1005 Pennsylvania Ave | East St. Louis, IL 62201 618-874-8560
Madison County Historical Society Museum & Archives (Edwardsville) The 1836 Weir House is filled with an amazing display of artifacts representing local and county history. The historic research library is a favorite of geneologists. 715 N Main St. | Edwardsville, IL 618-656-7562
The 1820 Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House (Edwardsville) This two-story Federal home is the oldest brick building in Madison County. Col. Stephenson, who was a contemporary of the first territorial governor Ninian Edwards, completed the home in 1821. The house offers hands-on history tours with historically costumed docents. 409 South Buchanan | Edwardsville, IL 62025 618-692-1818
Gateway Classic Cars & Museum (Fairmont City) See everything from Model T's to Muscle cars and shop the Antique Mall for classic car models and memorabilia. 5401 Collinsville Road | Fairmont City, IL 62201 800-231-3616
Yanda Log Cabin (Glen Carbon) The ceiling rafters and attic floor are from the original log cabin, and the sidewalks are made from a school building dating back to 1912. Available for group activities, community events, and tours by appointment. Main Street | Glen Carbon, IL 618-288-7271
Glen Carbon Heritage Museum (Glen Carbon) The museum is housed in a renovated 1914 school building located in the "Old Town" section of the Village. Visit Our Website 124 School St. | Glen Carbon, IL 618-288-7271
Old Fire Engine Museum (Granite City) Antique firefighting equipment and memorabilia are on display. 1411 19th Street | Granite City, IL 618-931-3723
Old Six Mile Museum in the Emmert- Zippel House (Granite City) This 158-year-old home has displays of Civil War artifacts, an Indian collection, and 1830's furnishings. 3279 Maryville Rd | Granite City, IL 62040 618-877-1208
Hoiles-Davis Museum (Greenville) Formerly a private residence, this is now home to an extensive collection of Civil War and WWI memorabilia, Indian artifacts, domestic arts, and items from local manufacturers. 318 W Winter Ave. | Greenville, IL 618-664-1590
American Farm Heritage Museum (Greenville) Farm implements, tools, tractors and other equipment dating back 100 years are featured. Open Saturdays April - October and for special events. I-70 at IL 127 | Greenville, IL 618-664-3050
Richard W. Bock Sculpture Museum (Greenville) The museum features hundreds of sculptural pieces by Richard Bock, best known for his work with architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Greenville College Campus, 315 E. College Ave. | Greenville, IL 62246 618-664-6724
One Room Schoolhouse Museum (Greenville) Located at the modern Jr. High School, the building was restored by retired teachers. 1200 Junior High Drive | Greenville, IL 618-664-9272
Hamel School Log Cabin (Hamel) Built between 1820 and 1852, the building contains artifacts from that period. Hamel School Park, 400 W. State Rt. 140 | Hamel, IL 618-633-2484
Wicks Pipe Organ Company (Highland) A premier manufacturer of church organs for over 100 years, Wicks offers tours by appointment through the Chamber of Commerce. 1100 5th Street | Highland, IL 618-654-3721 (Chamber of Commerce)
Louis Latzer Homestead (Highland) The founder of the Pet Milk Company built this house that was one of the first with electricity and running water inside. Home to annual festivals celebrating early farm life. RR 3 | Highland, IL 618-654-7957
Pioneer Log Cabin Village (Kinmundy) 16 pre-Civil War furnished cabins are open for self-guided tours. Open April 15-Nov 15. 12 mi. north of Salem on Hwy 37 | Kinmundy, IL 62854 618-547-7123 | 618-547-3291
The Mermaid House (Lebanon) Charles Dickens stayed here in 1842 while researching his book on American prairies. 114 East St. Louis Street | Lebanon, IL 618-537-8420
Maeystown Rock Mill Museum (Maeystown) The entire village of Maeystown is on the National Register of Historic Places with much of the village history preserved in the museum. Mill Street | Maeystown, IL 618-458-6660
Marissa Academy Museum and Coal Miners Monument (Marissa) Memorabilia celebrating the city's growth from a coal mining town to the present make this an interesting stop. Marissa Park, 610 S. Main St. | Marissa, IL 618-295-2562
Schneidewind Barn Museum (Marissa) Hundreds of interesting items are housed in what was formerlly a working farm's barn. 1157 Schneidewind Rd. | Marissa, IL 618-295-2304
Berger- Kiel Log House (Mascoutah) Get a glimpse into local life in the 1800's viewing the log house and the Anstedt barn and period garden. 931 North Sixth St. | Mascoutah, IL 62258 618-566-9774
Mascoutah Heritage Museum (Mascoutah) The Museum gathers history from Mascoutah, Engelmann and Shiloh Valley Townships. Harvey C. Pitt's mounted waterfowl collection is featured along with dolls, wedding dresses, toys and farm items. 306 W. Main St. | Mascoutah, IL 62258 618-566-9774
Washington County Historical Museum (Nashville) Built in 1871 as a private residence, this building now holds hundreds of artifacts from the county including a display of period wedding dresses. 326 South Kaskaskia Street | Nashville, IL 618-327-8140
Rieso Farm Museum & Antiques (New Athens) A large collection of machinery and primitives dating back to the 1800's are on display. 3125 George Leilich Rd. | New Athens, IL 62264 618-475-3712
O'Fallon Historical Society Museum & Archives (O'Fallon) Exhibits and research library focusing on O'Fallon area history including native sons, Oscar-winning actor William Holden and illustrator Bernie Fuchs. Housed in 1904 bank building. Open Wed., Fri.& Sat., 1-4pm and by appointment. Free admission. 101 W. State St. | O'Fallon, IL 62269 618-624-8409
Heritage House Museum (Okawville) The complex includes three properties; Dr. Poos Home & Medical Museum (202 N. Front St); the Frank Schlosser Home (114 W. Walnut), a turn- of-the-century house, barn, harness shop, and commercial laundry; and the Joseph Schlosser Home. Okawville Tourism | Okawville, IL 618-243-5694
Perry County Jail Museum (Pinckneyville) Built in 1847, this was the county's third jail. The Sheriff and his family lived upstairs where women prisoners were kept in locked rooms. Downstairs, a jail cell is still there along with most of the museum's collection. 108 W. Jackson St., Pinckneyville 618-357-2225
Martin/ Boismenue House (Prairie du Pont) Built in the 1790's in the French vertical-log style, this is the oldest known residence in Illinois. 2110 First Street | Prairie du Pont, IL 62206 618-332-1782
The Creole House (Prairie du Rocher) The house built in 1800 is an example of a combination of French and American architecture. Tours by appointment. Market Street | Prairie du Rocher, IL 618-282-2245
Alfred Brown Museum (Sparta) A large collection of post cards from the 1904 World's Fair, a drum from the Civil War, Indian artifacts, old uniforms, and school artifacts anchor the collection. 132 W. Broadway St., the old Sparta City Hall | Sparta, IL 618-443-6908 | 618-443-3138
Zacheis Tractor Museum (Sparta) Meet Allis-Chalmers and John Deere here! Hundreds of tractors and other farm equipment are parked in rows in the Museum. A replica of the Zacheis dealership Parts Store and a room filled with vintage and recent agricultural toys are also features. 401 East 4th Street | Sparta, IL 618-965-3847 | 618-521-7757| Fax 618-965-9201
Paul Simon Museum (Troy) Memorabilia of Sen. Paul Simon's life and service in the U.S. Senate is gathered here. Simon took over the Troy Tribune in 1948 when he was 19 years old living in the city for 25 years. Open Wed, Thurs & Sat and by appt. 118 W. Market St. | Troy, IL 618-667-3873
Fayette County Museum (Vandalia) The museum contains Lincoln-era memorabilia and artifacts of the people living in the county. Of special interest is an original paper press from the Capitol and Lincoln's froe. 301 West Main | Vandalia, IL 618-283-4866
Veterans Educational Museum (Vandalia) Items on display are from the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm along with flags from 45 countries. Also here is a rare signed copy of Adolph Hitler's Mein Kampf. 321 S. Seventh St. | Vandalia, IL 62471 618-283-0832
Little Brick House (Vandalia) The house is filled with china, furniture, engravings, and books belonging to settlers during the time Abraham Lincoln attended the legislature (1834-1839). Tours by appointment. 621 St. Clair Street | Vandalia, IL 62471 618-283-2728
Rex's Museum (Waterloo) A Lionel train set shares space with a Li'l Abner Dogpatch Band windup toy and British toy soldiers, antique collectibles, clothing, glassware, a mule deer antler chandelier & more. 8219 Gall Rd. | Waterloo, IL 62298 618-939-7810
History Museum of Monroe County (Waterloo) Anchored by Col. Edd Kueker's extensive collection of Western memorabilia including a stagecoach, wagons, bridles, saddles and so much more. The collection also features antiques and historical artifacts donated by county residents. 724 Elaine Drive | Waterloo, IL 62298 618-939-5008
Bellefontaine House (Waterloo) Meriwether Lewis is reported to have stayed here. It was home to some of the earliest settlers in Illinois (1782). North Main Street | Waterloo, IL 618-939-5300
Peterstown House (Waterloo) This is the only stagecoach stop still intact along the Kaskaskia- Cahokia Trail. 275 N Main Street | Waterloo, IL 618-939-4222
Rex Museum (Waterloo) Crystal, porcelin, period furniture, kitchen primitives, sew artifacts, assorted 100 yr. old game bird plates, English leaded toy soldiers, items from the 1800s and lots more make up this collection. 8219 Gall Rd. 618-939-7810
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