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Of Special Historic Interest Family & Local Histories
Great Chicago Fire
Illinois History Timeline
Illinois State Symbols
Illinois State Symbols - Kids
Historic Illinois
Photos
1851-1991 Panoramic Photos
Bureau County Photo Album
Catlin History in Photos
Champaign Co. Cultural Memory
Coles County Postcards
Jasper County Post Cards
Whiteside County Photo Gallery
Willisville Early Photographs
Illinois
Traveler Info
Free Illinois Maps
Free Illinois Travel Guides
Search Phone Books
411.com
History is not history unless
it is the truth..... Abraham Lincoln
History, facts and truth are all Divine
Products, and must prevail.... Charles A. Briggs

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| Boone County |
Boone County Historical Museum [Exhibits]
Focused on the
preservation and display of Boone County history, the museum
features antique cars, an 1840s log cabin, historical artifacts
and documents and other items related to the local history of
Boone County, Illinois. Located at 311 Whitney Blvd. in
Belvidere, IL.
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| Cook County |
Chicago
History Museum Operated by
the Chicago Historical Society, the museum contains
artifacts and exhibits related to the history of Chicago,
IL.
1601 N. Clark Street
Chicago, Illinois
Dusable Museum of African American History
Jane Addams Hull-House Museum [History & Photos]
West Chicago City Museum
Featuring
exhibits and artifacts related to the history of West
Chicago, the museum is housed in the 1884 Turner Town Hall.
The museum has a large collection of reference materials
especially on railroad history. If research is
desired, please schedule an appointment. Located at
132 Main Street in West Chicago, IL.
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| Crawford County |
Crawford Co. Historical Society & Museum
Housed in the
former Schmidt Clinic, the museum features historic artifacts,
documents, photographs, antiques and early belongings of pioneer
families in Crawford County, IL. Located at 408 S. Cross
Street in Robinson, IL.
Hutson Cabins and Museum
Operated and
maintained by the Hutsonville Historical Society, a group of log
cabins (Hutson Memorial Village) are available for tours. There is log church,
country store, barber shop, the Hutson cabin and a barn at the
site and more are being moved to the location just 1.5 miles
south of Hutsonville, IL on Outer South Rose Street.
Illinois Oil Field Museum
The museum
collection features historical artifacts, films, photos and
documents related to the history of the oil industry in
Illinois. Located at 10570 N. 150th Avenue, just off Route
33 at the 4-H fairgrounds in Oblong, IL.
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| DeKalb County |
Ellwood
House and Museum [Tour
the House]
Sitting in a park
right in the heart of DeKalb, this beautiful Victorian mansion
was home to the barbed wire millionaire Isaac L. Ellwood IN
1879. The home has been restored and features many
original furnishings. Guided tours are offered to
visitors. Located at 509 N. First Street in DeKalb, IL.
The
Gurler House
Located at 205
Pine Street in DeKalb, IL.
Joiner History Room
Housed inside the
basement of the DeKalb County Courthouse, the museum features
historical documents, records and memorabilia related to the
history of DeKalb County. Located at 103 E. State
Street in Sycamore, IL.
Joseph F. Glidden Homestead & Historical Center
[Glidden
Family History]
Built ca 1861, the
homestead was home to Joseph Farwell Glidden, the barbed wire
inventor. Located on the grounds is the old barn where
Joseph worked on his barbed wire projects. It is one of
the oldest standing barns in DeKalb County and is built in the
German tradition of local bricks. Located at 921 W.
Lincoln Hwy in Dekalb, IL.
Kishwaukee Valley Heritage Museum
The museum features historical
artifacts and items related to the history of Genoa and the
Kishwaukee Valley. Items include the oldest horse drawn
hearse in DeKalb County, an 1882 railroad depot, an old printing
press, a collection of old telephones and the society holds
historical documents. Located at 622 W. Park Avenue in
Genoa, IL.
Midwest
Museum of Natural History
Located at 425 W. State Street (Route 64) in historic
downtown Sycamore, IL.
North Grove School
Built in 1878 by the Swedish
Evangelical Lutheran Church as a parochial school, the school
was used as a school until 1952 when it closed and later was
used as a neighborhood social center. The school has been
refurbished and furnished with period pieces. Currently
only open for special events. Located at
26745 Brickville Road in Sycamore, IL.
Olmstead Museum
The museum holds a
collection of relics and historical artifacts collected since
the late 1800s. Located on South Depot Street in Somonauk,
IL.
Shabbona-Lee-Rollo Historical Museum
Housed in an old
bank building, the museum features exhibits, artifacts and other
items related to the history of the Shabbona are of Illinois.
The museum also offers a growing research library full of
historical documents, photographs and records for the
researcher. Located at 119 W. Comanche in Shabbona, IL.
The Stone Mill and Sandwich Historical Society
Built in 1856,
this old flour mill was known as Sandwich Steam Mill.
Today it is used as the home to and museum of the Sandwich
Historical Society. The museum features historical
artifacts, antiques, memorabilia and historical documents and
photographs. Located at Railroad and Lafayette in
Sandwich, IL.
Sycamore Historical Society and Museum
The museum
features historical artifacts and memorabilia related to the
history of Sycamore, IL. Located at 308 W. State Street in
Sycamore, IL.
Waterman Area Heritage Society and Museum
Features historical
exhibits and artifacts related to the Waterman area history.
Exhibits include John Kitners Barber Shop, memorabilia of
basketball players Jack Smiley and Duane Swanson, agricultural
artifacts and historical documents and photographs.
Located at 180 W. Lincoln Hwy in Waterman, IL.
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| DuPage County |
DuPage County Illinois Historical Museum
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| Fulton County |
Dickson Mounds Museum [Exhibits]
[History]
Artifacts and data about the Illinois River
Valley. This museum explores the history of this area from
the ice age to the Tribal period of which 3 early Indian
buildings can be viewed.
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| Hancock County |
La Harpe Historical & Genealogy Society & Museum
Hancock Historical Museum
Offered by the
Hancodk County Historical Society, exhibits are focused on the
history of the area. Along with the primary Exhibit
Center, they have docent-led tours of the 1881
Hull / Flater House, the
Crawford Cabin,
Little Red Schoolhouse and you can take a train ride on
the 1930
Riverside Train.
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Jefferson County |
Jefferson County Historical Village
Several buildings comprising a small village
reminds one of earlier times in Jefferson County, Illinois.
Buildings include Mount Olive Church, a blacksmith,
smokehouse, general store, medical building and other cabins.
Some
old tombstones have been salvaged and rest along the wall
of Mount Olive Church.
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| Johnson County |
Paul Powell House & Research Center
Memorabilia, genealogy and history of
Johnson County, Illinois along with information about
statesman Paul Powell, are housed in this lovely old home
located at 404 West Vine Street in Vienna, Illinois.
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| Kane County |
Aurora Historical Society [Museums]
The Aurora
Historical Society features the following historical museums
in Aurora, Illinois.
1. The William Tanner House - built in
1857, it features period furnishings. Located at the
corner of Oak and Cedar in Aurora, IL.
2. The Pierce Art and History Center
is operated by the City of Aurora and features
art galleries of the Historical Society. Located
at 20 E. Downer in Downtown Aurora on the Island.
3. The Aurora History Center
The center features historical documents and
photographs related to the rich history of Aurora, Illinois.
Open to researchers by appointment. Call (630)
897-9029. Located at 305 Cedar Street, next door to
the William Tanner House. Batavia Historical Society & Museum
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| Kendall County |
Farnsworth House [History]
[Tours]
Located in Plano, Illinois, this modern marvel is
a steel house with glass walls built in 1951 by German architect
Miles van der Rohe. Located at 14520 River Road in Plano,
IL.
Little White School Museum [Photo]
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| Lake County |
Bonner Farm
The historical
farm was originally homesteaded in 1842 by Scottish
immigrant William Bonner. Focused on the preservation
and display of the agricultural past of Lake County,
visitors will experience the rural past of early Illinois.
Located off Sand Lake Road just west of Route 45. Turn
north from Sand Lake onto Country Place and you will see
this old farm just past the bend on the right.
Lake County Discovery Museum
Ryerson
Woods Visitor Center
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| Madison County |
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site [Interpretive
Center]
Learn about the historic city of Cahokia.
Archaeological finds date this ancient city about 700-1400
A.D.
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| McHenry County |
Illinois Railway Museum [Tour] [History]
Featured as
America's largest railway museum, visitors will enjoy the
fruits of decades of work and effort to build and create
this enormous collection of buildings, track, locomotives
and cars. Located at 7000 Olson Road in Union, IL.
McHenry
Historical Museum
The focus of
the museum is McHenry County history through themed exhibits
that are often interactive. On site is an 1843 log
cabin, an 1895 school house which is used for one room
school experiences and a 20th century modern tourist cabin.
Off site is the preserved 1885 town hall and 1867 limestone
school house. A
research library and the mobile history museum called "The
James" are additional features of the McHenry Historical
Society. Located at 6422 Main Street in Union, IL.
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| McLean County |
McLean County Museum of History
Learn about the
past history of Central Illinois. The museum collects and
preserves artifacts, documents and other items related to the
history of the McLean County area. Their collection also
includes the Archives. Located at 200 N. Main Street in
Bloomington, IL.
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| Menard County |
Abraham Lincoln's Long Nine Museum
Edgar Lee Masters Museum
Focused on the
life and times of Edgar Lee Masters, author of The Spoon
River Anthology. Housed in his boyhood home, the
museum features memorabilia and his works. Located at
the corner of Eighth & Jackson in Petersburg, IL.
Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site [Virtual Tour]
Visit a forgotten
time when Abraham Lincoln was a young man living in New
Salem and experience living history. Located at 15588
History Lane in Petersburg, IL.
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| Mercer County |
Essley Noble Museum
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| Randolph County |
Fort Dechartres State Historic Site
An 18th century
stone fort erected by France and located near the Mississippi
River. It has been partially restored and offers
visitors insight into the French control over Illinois.
Located at 1350 State Rte. 155 in Prarie du Rocher, IL.
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| Richland County |
Richland Heritage Museum
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| Rock Island County |
Colonel Davenport House [History]
The house was
built in 1833 and was home to Colonel Davenport. Today
the home is a museum, revealing 19th century treasures.
Located on the north side of Arsenal Island in Rock Island,
IL.
Rock Island Arsenal Museum [History]
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| Sangamon County

Illinois Old State Capitol
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Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Learn more about the life and times of the
great president Abraham Lincoln. Located at 212 North
Sixth Street in Springfield, IL.
FREE! New York Times, April 15th 1865 - Read the actual newspaper article about President Lincoln's assassination!
Illinois Governors Mansion [Photos] [Virtual Tour]
Illinois Old State Capitol [Virtual Tour]
A magnificent
reconstructed statehouse built in the 1960s. Located
in Springfield, IL.
Illinois State Archives [Online Databases]
Illinois State Museum
Museum of Funeral Customs
[Virtual Tour] [History Archive]
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| Schuyler County |
Schuyler County Historical Jail Museum
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| Stephenson County |
Lena Area Historical Museum and Society
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| Vermilion County |
Catlin Heritage Museum
Housed in the historical 1827 house of Amos
Woodin, a cooper in Catlin, the museum is devoted to the
preservation and display of Catlin, Indiana history.
Located at 210 North Paris in Catlin, IL. Vermilion County Museum
The museum building was designed to look like the old 1833
Vermilion County Courthouse. Located in front of this
building in the museum complex is the house museum of
William Fithian, a pioneer doctor, Civil War surgeon and
friend to Abraham Lincoln. Visit at 116 N. Gilbert
Street in Danville, IL.
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| Wabash County |
Beall Woods State Park
The park is an Illinois Nature Preserve as
well as a National Landmark.
A Visitor's
Center is located in side the park revealing historical and
educational exhibits. Located at 9825 Beall Woods
Avenue in Mount Carmel, IL. Wabash County Museum and The Burkett House
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| Whiteside County |
Lyndon Historical Society and Museum
Operated by the Lyndon Historical Society and
housed in the Congregational Church building, the museum offers
a glimpse into the past of Lyndon through historic artifacts,
photos and materials. Located at 405 4th Street West in
Lyndon, IL.
Ronald Reagan Birthplace and Museum
[Reagan
History] [Photos]
Ronald Regan was born in this five room
apartment. Today it is a museum in honor of him.
Located at 111 S. Main Street in Tampico, IL.
Sterling Rock Falls Historical Society Museum
Operated by the Sterling-Rock Falls Historical
Society and located in the Carriage House on the Dillon Home
grounds, the museum was established to interpret and preserve
the historical heritage of the twin cities. Location is at 1005
E. Third Street, Sterling, Illinois. (815) 622-6215.
Tampico Area Historical Society & Museum
Devoted to the preservation of the history of
Tampico and the surrounding areas in Whiteside County, Illinois,
the museum features many historical documents and genealogical
materials of great interest to researchers. Located at 119
S. Main Street in Tampico, IL.
Museum Index for Other States
Illinois Census
Records
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