Illinois Newspapers Online

Read firsthand historic accounts of events in historic newspaper with Ancestry.com's Historical Newspaper Collection.

Historical Newspapers 1815-1985!

Alton Observer

Alton Daily Telegraph

Alton Telegraph & Democratic Review

Alton Weekly Courier

Alton Weekly Telegraph

Arlington Heights Herald

Blue Island Sun Standard

Chicago Daily Herald

Chicago News Journal

Chicago World

Cook County Herald

Decatur Daily Dispatch

Decatur Daily Republican

Decatur Review

Decatur Weekly News

Dixon Evening Telegraph

The Dixon Sun

DuPage County Register

East St. Louis Journal

Edwardsville Intelligencer

Herrin Daily Journal

Madison County Courier

Olney Times

Weekly Decatur Magnet

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Newspaper Obituaries

Illinois History Museums

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.

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.

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.

[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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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]

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

Learn about the historic city of Cahokia.  Archaeological finds date this ancient city about 700-1400 A.D.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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]

Illinois Old State Capitol

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]

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.

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

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