Abingdon Historical Society 500 W. Latimer Abingdon, IL 61510 Knox, Region: 3 309/462-3727 abmuseum@abingdon.k12.il.us Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum Illinois Historic Preservation Agency 112 N 6th St Springfield, IL 62701 Sangamon, Region: 3 M-F 8:30am-5pm; call for new evening & weekend hours. Illinois history, books, manuscripts, maps, audiovisuals, Henry Horner Lincoln collection—foremost collection of pre-presidential Lincoln materials, genealogy, Papers of Abraham Lincoln. Combining impeccable scholarship with brilliant showmanship, the new museum's permanent exhibit galleries carry visitors on twin journeys from a crude, overcrowded Indiana cabin to Ford’s Theater and a reproduction of the House Chamber in the Old State Capitol where Lincoln's flag-draped casket lies in state. Tom Schwartz, Interim Director 217/558-8901 217/785-6250 hpa.info@illinois.gov http://www.alplm.org All Wars Museum Illinois Veterans Home 1707 N 12th St Quincy, IL 62301 Adams, Region: 3 Tu-Sa 9-12pm, 1-4pm, Su 1-4pm. Donations welcome. U.S. military actions from the Revolutionary War to current Iraq War. School and group tours by appt. Collection includes M60 Tank, M5 Stuart Tank, UH-1 Huey Helicopter, M1918 155mm gun, WW II-Korean War ambulance, jeeps, Civil War era James Rifled gun, and replica 1763 English 3 lb Smooth Bore Cannon and Limber. Rick Gengenbacher, Director 217/222-8641 x380 217/222-9621 q-rtg@dva.state.il.us Amboy Depot Museum PO Box 108 Amboy, IL 61310 Lee, Region: 4 40 South East Ave Su, W, Th 1-4pm, F-Sa 10-4pm. Donations welcome. Two-story, 19 room Illinois Central Railroad Museum, Freight House, Steam Engine, Caboose and a One-room Schoolhouse. Extensive collection of railroad artifacts and equipment, local history, farm equipment, military items, rock and fossil collection & gift shop. Depot Days the last weekend of August. Josephine “Dodie” Wilson, Manager 815/857-4700 www.amboydepotmuseum.org American Fluorite Museum Hardin County Fluorspar Museum PO Box 755 Rosiclaire, IL 62982 Hardin, Region: 1 Hwy 34 and Main St May-Oct: Th, F, Su 1-4pm, Sa 10-4pm. $3 Adults, $1 Children 6-12. Collections of fluorite and associated minerals; mining artifacts and memoribilia; located on former mine/mill site. Eric Livingston, President 618/285-3513 618/285-6980 packrats@shawneelink.net www.hardincountyil.org American History Museum 5802 Greenleaf Rd Godfrey, IL 62035 Madison, Region: 3 Dr. Harvey Veit 618/466-4333 janiceephillips@sbcglobal.net Apple River Fort State Historic Site Illinois Historic Preservation Agency PO Box 206 Elizabeth, IL 61028-0206 Jo Daviess, Region: 4 311 E Myrtle Hours are seasonal. Please call. Suggested Donation $2 Adults, $1 Children. Experience history and learn about the conflict between local Native Americans and early settlers that grew into the Black Hawk War. Susan Gordy, Site Manager 815/858-2028 815/858-2268 info@appleriverfort.org http://www.appleriverfort.org Archbishop Fulton Sheen Communication Room 600 E 3rd St El Paso, IL 61738-1221 Woodford, Region 2 17 E Main, Rte 24 Karen Fulte 309/527-4062 309/527-4455 unity@elpaso.net http://www.elpaso.net/~unity/fjsheen/index.htm Arlington Heights Historical Museum 110 W Fremont Arlington Heights, IL 60004 Cook, Region: 5 112 W Fremont Heritage Gallery and Shop: F-Su 1:30-4:30pm; Tours: Sa-Su 2, 3pm; Local history library: Th 1-4pm, F 9-12pm. Tours: $4 Adults, $2 Children, donations welcome. Heritage Gallery and shop feature rotating exhibits and historical gifts and more. Tour the 1882 Muller home, Coach house, 1906 Soda Pop Factory building, 1908 Banta house, and an 1830s replica log home. Local history library open for research. Kristina Christie, Administrator 847/255-1225 847/255-1570 ahmuseum@ahpd.org http://www.ahmuseum.org Armed Forces Museum 7624 Hilltop Ln Bethalto, IL 62010 Madison, Region: 3 #2 Cut St, Alton Summer: daily 1-5pm; Winter: weekends 1-4pm. $2. Extensive collection of historic military vehicles, artifacts, memoribilia, maps, and books (especially military manuals). Paul W. Shetley 618/462-5237 pwshetley@hotmail.com http://firearsn.empowering.com/armedforcesmuseum.htm Art Association of Jacksonville PO Box 1213 Jacksonville, IL 62651-1213 Morgan, Region: 3 331 W College Sep-May: Tu-Sa 4-6pm Su 1-3pm, closed major holidays. Monthly exhibits featuring local and national artists. Permanent collections include an early Mississippian Indian Pottery Collection, the Miriam Cowgur Allen doll collection, and the Charles Prentice Thompson classical collection. Kelly M. Gross, Director 217/243-9390 217/245-7445 strawn@myhtn.net http://www.japl.lib.il.us/community/strawn/TheArtAssociationofJacksonville.html Aurora Historical Society 317 Cedar St Aurora, IL 60506 Kane, Region: 5 305 Cedar St at Oak St W, Sa, Su 1-5pm and by appt. Local history, historic house, late Victorian era homelife. John Jaros, Director 630/897-9029 Aurora Public Art Commission 44 E Downer Pl Aurora, IL 60507 Kane, Region: 5 20 E Downer Place W-Su 12-4pm. Suggested Donation $3 Adults, $1.50 Seniors/Students. The Aurora Public Art Commission is a civic organization dedicated to the presentation of public art in all its forms. APAC provides a formal art presence for the residents. General functions include selecting sites for sculpture and other art forms, selecting artists, overseeing projects, developing programs in art education and establishing an exhibit schedule for the Gallery. In addition, the Public Art Commission supports a variety of initiatives promoting public awareness of the positive value of diversity in Aurora. Rena J. Church, Director/Curator 630/906-0654 630/906-6892 rchurch@aurora-il.org http://www.ci.aurora.il.us/Artcommission/index.html Aurora Regional Fire Museum PO Box 1782 Aurora, IL 60507 Cook, Region: 5 Th, F, Sa, 1-4pm. $3.50 Adults, $2.50 Seniors / Firefighters, $2 Children under 12. History of firefighting in Aurora and surrounding communities; located in an old 1894 fire station; preservation of artifacts and history related to fire fighting. David Lewis, Curator http://www.auroraregionalfiremuseum.org Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture 6500 S Pulaski Rd Chicago, IL 60629 Cook, Region: 5 Daily 10-4pm. Repository for the preservation of Lithuanian culture. Collections include art, photos, amber, and rare books. Research library, Lithuanian artifacts, exhibits, and genealogy. Children’s hands-on exhibits on immigrant history. Stanley Balzekas, President 773/582-6500 773/582-5133 president@lithuanianmuseum.org http://www.lithuanianmuseum.org Bartlett History Museum 228 S Main St Bartlett, IL 60103 Cook, Region: 5 M-F 8:30-4:30pm, Sa 9-12pm. Free. Changing exhibits on the history of Bartlett include artifacts, photos and documents. Special programs and workshops. Pam Rohleder, Curator 630/837-0800 630/837-7168 prohleder@vbartlett.org www.village.bartlett.il.us/museum/museumhistory.html Batavia Depot Museum Batavia Park District 155 Houston St Batavia, IL 60510 Kane, Region: 5 Batavia Historical Society: PO Box 14, Batavia, 60510 M, W, F-Su 2-4pm. $1. Wide variety of history-based trips and programs are offered each year for children and adults. Collections focused on local history, nationally recognized collection of American Windmill history. Carla Hill, Director 630/406-5274 630/593-5202 carlah@batpkdist.org http://www.bataviahistoricalsociety.org Beardstown Lincoln Courtroom 101 W 3rd St Beardstown, IL 62618 Cass, Region: 3 M-F 8-5pm, weekends by appt. Local history, restored courtroom, pioneer history. Susan Parish 217/323-3225 dparish@casscomm.com Beller Museum 129 S. Oak Ave Westmont, IL 60559 DuPage, Region: 5 340 Burlington Ave, Downers Grove By appt only. Free. Museum contains a collection of vehicles, literature, brochures, magazine advertisements, and other memoribilia. There are also automobiles and artifacts from four other collections: Beller Collection, Model A Ford Collection, Ford V8 Foundation Collection, and the Salt Creek Model A Club Collection. Eileen Valach, Adm Assistant 630/353-1932 630/737-1932 corinnebeller@hotmail.com Bellflower Genl & Historical Society 407 W Center Bellflower, IL 61724 McLean, Region: 2 210 Latcha St By appt only. Local history. Dorothy Woliung, Co-President 309/722-3467 Bensenville Historical Commission % Bensenville Library 200 S Church Rd Bensenville, IL 60106 DuPage, Region: 5 By appt. 1844 log house living history museum, local history photos and collections housed at the library. Jill Rodrieguez, Chair 630/766-4642 jill@bensenville.lib.il.us http://www.bensenville.lib.il.us/history Bethalto Historical Museum 213 N Prairie, PO Box 233 Bethalto, IL 62010 Madison, Region: 3 Sa 1-4pm and by appt. Local history and 1840 log cabin. Arvel Fowler 618/377-8051 618/377-5264 msmith@bethalto.com http://www.bethalto.com Big Rock Historical Society PO Box 206 Big Rock, IL 60511-0206 Kane, Region: 5 Apr-Dec: Sa 12-4pm. Donations welcome. Local history and early settlers. Louise Judd 630/556-3178 815/286-3715 clarem@thestix.net Birks Museum Millikin University 1184 W Main St Decatur, IL 62522 Macon, Region: 2 M-Su 1-4pm, closed Jun-Aug. Decorative arts, porcelein, glass, metal, pottery, Millikin memoribilia. Edwin G. Walker 217/424-6337 217/362-6417 ewalker@mail.millikin.edu http://www.millikin.edu/birks Bishop Hill Heritage Museum Bishop Hill Heritage Association PO Box 92 Bishop Hill, IL 61419 Henry, Region: 4 103 N Bishop Hill St M-Sa 10-5pm, Su 12-5pm. Local history of Swedish immigration, communal life, colony life, historic preservation, and genealogy. Mike Wendel 309/927-3899 309/927-3010 bhha@winco.net www.bishophill.com/museums.php Bishop Hill State Historic Site Illinois Historic Preservation Agency PO Box 104 Bishop Hill, IL 61419 Henry, Region: 4 Hours are seasonal. Please call. Suggested Donation $2 Adults, $1 Children. Local history, immigrants, communal life, agriculture, religion, folk art. Martha Downey, Site Manager 309/927-3345 309/927-3343 bishophill@winco.net http://www.bishophill.com Blackberry Historical Farm / Village 100 S Barnes Rd Aurora, IL 60506 Kane, Region: 5 Apr-Oct: daily 10-4:30pm. Special events all year. Northern Illinois history domestic and agriculture, 1840-1920; living history sites, rides, and special events and classes. Lorraine Beasley, Manager 630/892-1550 630/892-1661 http://www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org Black Hawk State Historic Site Illinois Historic Preservation Agency 1510 46th Ave Rock Island, IL 61201 Rock Island, Region: 4 Hours are seasonal. Please call. Suggested Donation $2 Adults, $1 Children. Hauberg Indian Museum with exhibits and objects of the Mesquakie and Fox; over 200 acres with deciduous forest, six miles of hiking trails, interpretive trails, and three day use areas. Scott Roman, Site Manager Beth Carvey-Stewart, Museum Director 309/788-9536 309/788-9865 haubergmuseum@aol.com www.blackhawkpark.org Blackwell History of Education Museum Northern Illinois University NIU, Learning Ctr DeKalb, IL 60115 DeKalb, Region: 4 Gabel Hall 08 M-F 8-4:30pm, closed holidays. Over 11,000 textbooks that were used in schools; some are more than 400 years old; collections of hornbooks, battledores, primers, readers, slates, pens, inkwells, samplers, prints, student work, report cards, and a variety of documents. Lucy Townsend 815/753-1236 815/753-1258 blackwell@niu.edu http://www.cedu.niu.edu/blackwell/ Bloomingdale Park District Museum 108 S Bloomingdale Rd Bloomingdale, IL 60108 DuPage, Region: 5 W 4-8pm, Th-F 10-4pm, Sa 12-4pm. $1 Resident, $2 Non-resident. Rotating exhibits of fine arts, art workshops, and historical artifacts. Facility rental also available. Diane Duffy, Curator 630/539-3096 630/539-3096 bpdmuseum@earthlink.net http://www.bloomingdaleparks.org Blue Island Historical Society 13018 Maple St Blue Island, IL 60406 Cook, Region: 5 1st Th of month 7pm and by appt. Local history museum has large collection of local artifacts, records, photos, and memoribilia. Michale B. Kaliski, Chair 708/371-8546 http://www.blueisland.org/Historical.html Boone County Historical Museum 311 Whitney Blvd Belvidere, IL 61008 Boone, Region: 4 Tu, Th 8-4pm, W, F, Sa 12-4pm. $3 Adults, $2 Seniors, $5 Family, $1 Children. Boone County history, research, genealogy, tours, and meetings. Mary Hale, Director 815/544-8391 815/547-1691 info@boonecountyhistoricalmuseum.org http://www.boonecountyhistoricalmuseum.org Bottomley-Ruffing-Schalk Baseball Museum 121 W State St Nokomis, IL 62075 Montgomery, Region: 3 M-F 9-11am and by appt. Collecting and displaying memorabilia of Bottomley, Ruffing, and Schalk -- baseball Hall of Famers from the area; baseball memorabilia in general. Myron K. Schaefer, Treasurer 217/563-8514 217/563-8844 semkay@consolidated.net Brettun & Blacks Store / Museum Hampton Historical Society 431 2nd Ave PO Box 68 Hampton, IL 61256 Rock Island, Region: 4 601 1st Ave May-Oct: Sa-Su 2-5pm. Restored building once used as a general store from 1849 to 1910 and as a pork shipping business from 1820-1949. Collection includes tools, hand-powered elevator, and other store items. Merlin Nelson, President 309/755-0362 hamptonwells@mchsi.com http://www.hamptonhistory.org Bronzeville Children's Museum Evergreen Plaza, PO Box 428250 Evergreen Park, IL 60805 Cook, Region: 5 96th and Western Ave, Lower Level Tu-Sa 10-4pm. Tours on the hour. $3 Adults, $2 Children. Collections celebrate African American culture and contributions. Programs include camp-in, classes and demonstrations, art, poetry, and quilt-making workshops. School outreach, head start collaborations, workshops and classes for teachers. Peggy A. Montes, President 708/636-9504 708/636-9543 Bronzvlle@aol.com http://www.bronzevillechildrensmuseum.com/ Bronzeville Historical Society 11431 S Forrestville Ave, Ste 1 Chicago, IL 60628-5901 Cook, Region: 5 Sa 2-4pm and by appt. To preserve, protect, collect, and perpetuate the record of African Americans who live or lived in Chicago. To recognize the contributions of African Americans who participated in the establishement of Chicago and the surrounding area. To stimluate interest in the history of Chicago and black history research. Sherry Williams, Director 773/291-9114 773/291-9115 chgoblackhistory@sbcglobal.net www.bronzevillehistoricalsociety.com Brookfield Zoo Chicago Zoological Society 3300 Golf Rd Brookfield, IL 60513 Cook, Region: 5 Daily 10-5pm, Summer: 9:30-6pm. $10 Adults, $6 Children 3-11/Seniors 65 & up. Jan-Feb: free days Tu, Th, Sa, Su; Oct-Dec: free days Tu, Th. Home to more than 2,000 animals representing nearly 400 species. Exhibits include “Regenstein Wolf Woods,” which offers viewing opportunities of Mexican gray wolves and “The Living Coast,” an underwater journey to see Humboldt penguins, small sharks, and other fish and mammals. The Hamill Family Play Zoo is geared toward families with children 10 and under, and offers captivating experiences that are unique to playing in nature-related settings. Children can touch animals, build habitats, examine animal X-rays, plant gardens, dress up in animal costumes, and much more! Education programs for school children and teachers. Sondra Katzen, Media Relations Manager 708/485-0263 x351 708/485-2649 sokatzen@brookfieldzoo.org http://www.brookfieldzoo.org Brunk Morgan Horse Museum PO Box 462 Rochester, IL 62563 Sangamon, Region: 3 By appt only. Membership $15. 19th century agrarian farm with emphasis on the Brunk family and their contribution to the Morgan horse. Site includes an 1820s barn and house. Lois McDermand 217/529-4623 notahoby@aol.com www.brunkmuseum.com Bryant Cottage State Historic Site Illinois Historic Preservation Agency PO Box 41 Bement, IL 61813 Piatt, Region: 2 146 East Wilson Ave Hours are seasonal. Please call. Built in 1856, Lincoln and Douglas are said to have met at the home to plan their 1858 debates. Marilyn Ayers, Site Manager 217/678-8184 bryant.cottage@illinois.gov http://state.il.us/hpa/hs/Bryant.htm Bureau County Historical Society & Museum 109 Park Ave W Princeton, IL 61356-1927 Bureau, Region: 4 Tu-Sa 1-5pm, closed Jan and Feb. $3 Adults, $1 Children under 12. Local history, genealogy, pioneers, agriculture, Civil War, library, and natural history. Cherry Coal Mine Disaster. Pamela J. Lange, Ex Director 815/875-2184 bchsmuseum@yahoo.com Burpee Museum of Natural History 737 N Main Rockford, IL 61103 Winnebago, Region: 4 M-Sa 11-5pm, Su 12-5pm. $5 Adults, $4 Children 3-18, Members free. Four areas of the natural sciences: anthropology, paleontology, biology, and geology. Dinosaur exhibits including Jane, the world’s only juvenile T-Rex on display. Children’s gallery, educational programs for scouts and home schoolers, environmental education, and tours. Lewis Crampton, President/CEO 815/965-3433 815/965-2703 lew.crampton@burpee.org http://www.burpee.org Busy Brains Children's Museum 650 Sycamore Lane Grayslake, IL 60030 Lake, Region: 5 TO OPEN IN 2008. Interactive learning environment for children from birth to age ten. Exhibits will focus on science, art, and the humanities. Alison K. Price, President 224/381-0138 alisonprice@busybrains.org http://www.busybrains.org Butterworth Memorial Trust 1105 8th St Moline, IL 61265 Rock Island, Region: 4 Butterworth Center: 1105 8th St Deere-Wiman House: 817 11th Ave Jul-Aug: Su 1-4pm; Year-round: M-F by appt. Donations welcome, bus groups $2 for one house, $4 for both. 1892 home of Katherine and William Butterworth, descendant of John Deere. Home features three extensive remodelings including a room to house 1700s venetian ceiling painting; 1872 Victorian style Deere-Wiman House was designed by William LeBaron Jenny and tells the story of four generations of Deeres. Both houses include gardens. Gretchen Small, Program Director 309/765-7971 309/765-9667 gsmall@butterworthcenter.com www.butterworthcenter.com Byron Museum of History Byron Museum District PO Box 186 Byron, IL 61010-0186 Ogle, Region: 4 106 N Union St Tu-F 8:30-3:30pm; Meml-Labor Day also open on Sa, Su 1-4pm. Donations welcome. The Museum features the Lucius Read House, a 1843 frontier brick home. Exhibits focused on local and area history. Tour programs available for adult and children’s groups. 815/234-5031 815/234-4447 byronmuseum@byronil.net http://www.byronmuseum.org