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African American Museum of
Southern Illinois University Mall, Carbondale (618-457-2217) Many artifacts, exhibits and memorabilia plus quilts, pictures, books and historical documents. Special events and exhibits held throughout the year. Open every day. American Fluorite Museum Rosiclare (618-285-3513) Located in the former office building of the Rosiclare Lead & Fluorspar Mining Co., this was once part of the largest fluorspar mining area in the United States. Now a museum with mining paraphernalia, photographs, ore specimens, and other interesting items concerning our state mineral. Open March to December, Thursday and Friday, 1 to 4 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday 1 to 1 p.m., tours by special appointment. Appellate Court House 14th & Main St., Mt. Vernon (618-242-3120) Lincoln tried some of his most famous cases in this Jefferson County Courthouse. Open 8:30 to 4:30 Monday through Friday except for holidays. Tours please call ahead. Associated Artists” Gallery 715 South University, Carbondale (618-457-4743) Exhibits and demonstrations of over 25 artists who produce ceramics, glass, fabrics, jewelery, painting, photography, weaving, woodworking and more. Open Tuesday-Saturday, Sundays during holidays. Bald Knob Cross Bald Knob Mt., Alto Pass (618-893-2344) A religious landmark in the Shawnee National Forest, completed in 1963, is illuminated at night and can be seen over an area of 7,500 square miles. The 111-foot cross and welcome center are open to all. Events throughout the year, including the annual Easter Sunrise service. Buel House Columbus Street, Golconda (618-683-9702) Two story log house known to be only remaining Illinois structure linked to the tragic Trail of Tears journey. The Buel family fed pumpkin to some of the starving Cherokees after they crossed the Ohio River in 1839. Burkett House 3rd St., Mt. Carmel (618-262-8774) Rotating exhibits that depict life in and around Wabash County are in this museum. Open Tuesday, Thursdays and Sundays 2-5 p.m. Carnegie Museum and Heritage House Museum Olney (618-392-5491) Both museums house items from the early days of Richland County. Open 1 to 5 Sundays, April through October. Cedarhurst Center for the Arts 2400 Richview Rd, Mt. Vernon (618-242-12360 www.cedarhurst.org A multicultural facility presenting visual & performing art programs. Three galleries plus traveling exhibitions in the Mitchell Art Museum; outdoor sculpture park, lake & trail on the 90 acre estate; host to the annual fall Cedarhurst Craft Fair, one of the largest in the Midwest; also summer concerts, dinner theater, classes, tours, chamber music and family activities. Clay County Museum Louisville (618-665-3847) This building was originally the county jail and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Open Saturday before Halloween during the Fall Festival, all day, or by appointment. Cobden Museum Cobden (618-893-2067) Items from the Civil War, Indian artifacts, war memorabilia, Kirkpatrick pottery, archeology finds from Southern Illinois and lots more. Open Saturday and Sunday. Custom House Museum 1400 Washington Ave., Cairo (618-734-1019) An excellent museum containing Civil War and local history, Lewis and Clark exhibits, plus rooms depicting old businesses and a beautiful art gallery. This large 3 story building is also a national registered historic place. Open 10 am to Noon; and 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Edwards County Historical Society Museum Albion (618-445-3072) This home is the birthplace of a former Illinois Governor, Louis Lincoln Emmerson from 1929-1933. Open by appointment only. Eldorado History Museum Locust St., Eldorado (618-273-7109) The former City Hall has been renovated into a museum of historical items from the Saline County area. Open by appointment and on holidays. Elijah P. Curtis Home/Museum 405 Market, Metropolis (618-524-3780) Built in 1870 when Major Elijah Curtis returned from the Civil War. Open by appointment and special holidays. First Baptist Church Elizabethtown (618-287-2861) Visit the oldest Baptist Church in Illinois with continuous service since 1806. Fort Defiance State Park Cairo (618-734-4127) Located at the confluence of the Mississippi and the Ohio River, enjoy the view from the Boatmen’s Memorial located in the park. Fort Defiance was an important Civil War camp for Union troops. A war hospital, a national cemetery and a gunboat factory were nearby. Fort Massac State Park Metropolis (618-524-4712) Illinois’ oldest state park overlooking the Ohio River, features a reconstructed French fort, block houses and museum containing French and Native American artifacts. Open Monday-Friday. Special weekend activities and enactments throughout the year. Franklin County Jail Museum 209 W. Main, Benton (800-661-9998) Tour this 1905 structure to see articles from the 1920's gang and prohibition era, plus artifacts from other famous people who lived in Benton (Gen. John Logan, John Malkovich, Doug Collins, George Harrison) Open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Franklin County Garage 211 North Main, Benton (618-438-2121) A former 1910 Ford garage, is now a museum with displays of vintage cars, belt driven machinery used for repair work, and more. Open 8 a.m. 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Frankfort Area Historical Museum 2000 East St. Louis St., West Frankfort (618-932-6159) The Old Logan School building is now a museum featuring area mining history, a genealogy library, and several rooms filled with artifacts and exhibits. The Red Geranium Tea Room serves lunch Wednesday and Thursday. Open 9 am to 4 pm Wednesday and Thursday and Sunday 1:30 to 4 pm. Donations accepted.. General John A. Logan Museum 1613 Edith St, Murphysboro (618-684-3455) Museum showcases the General’s life as a Civil War legend, a political leader, and founder of Memorial Day. Open 1 to 4 pm Saturday and Sunday. Special arrangements for group tours by request. Harrisburg Dist. Library 2 West Walnut, Harrisburg (618-253-7455) The library has a gallery featuring local artists in changing shows. Genealogists will also enjoy this library. Illinois Iron Furnace Elizabethtown (618-833-8576) During Civil War days pig iron was smelted here and shipped down the Ohio river to be used for building gunboats. This charcoal fired iron furnace is now on the Nat’l Register of Historic Places. Illinois State Museum Southern Illinois Art Gallery (located at the So. Illinois Artisans Shop near Rend Lake) Whittington (618-629-2220) Changing art exhibitions showcase the best of Illinois art, both contemporary and historic. Exhibitions of fine, decorative and folk arts regularly feature the Museum’s diverse collections. Jefferson County Historical Village 1411 N. 27th Street, Mt. Vernon (618-246-0033) Collection of a log jail, 2 log homes, a log church, blacksmith shop, general store, gift shop, print shop and much more. Open weekends, May through October; other times by appointment. John A. Logan College Museum 700 Logan College Rd, Carterville (618-985-3741) Art exhibits on display include local artists, wildlife art, fine crafts and local and high school student work. Ken Gray Presidential/Congressional Hall of Fame 804 N. Douglas, West Frankfort (618-937-6100) Memorabilia from Ken Gray’s years as a Congressman; open 1-5 Tuesday through Sunday. Kornthal Church Rt. 127, Jonesboro (618-833-2478) Built in 1860 by Austrian immigrants; wooden pews and balconies show exceptional craftsmanship. Open for tours by appointment. L. Haas Store Museum, Matsel Cabin Museum, and Sen. Robinson Stewart House Carmi, (618-382-8425) Visitors get an insight into the lifestyles of the early settlers. Open by appointment. Lewis and Clark Marked Sites There are 21 known Lewis and Clark related sites within the southern part of the State of Illinois. These sites include Gallatin County ( Shawneetown), Fort Massac near Metropolis, and Cairo in Alexander County. For more information click on Lewis and Clark Bicentennial. Little Egypt Arts Assn. Tower Square Marion (618-998-8530) Classes, workshops, art programs and inhouse art gallery. Open Tuesday-Saturday Marshall House Shawneetown (618-272-7038) The first bank chartered in 1816 in the Illinois territory was located in the John Marshall house, just steps from the Ohio River. Today it is a frontier history museum with murals and artifacts. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April through October. McCoy Memorial Library 118 South Washington St., McLeansboro (618-643-2125) This 1884 majestic Victorian building sits on the southwest corner of the town square and is furnished in original furnishings, artworks and genealogy volumes. A National Historic Place, this home turned library/museum is part of a historic walking tour with several other architectural homes and buildings in McLeansboro. Open Monday-Friday 11 to 5; Saturday 8 to 5. Genealogy Library on the 2nd floor open Monday through Friday 1 to 4 p.m. Mound City National Cemetery Jct. Hwy 51 and Hwy 37, Mounds (618-748-9428) Located on the National Register of Historic Places, this cemetery has soldiers from every war; 2,759 markers are “unknown”. Mounds was chosen by Lincoln because it had a large Civil War hospital and a Navy yard along the Ohio River. Mulkeytown Grade School Mulkeytown (618-724-4252) Museum displays artifacts as well as pictorial and written history of nearby communities; railroads, coal mining, one room school life and more. Open by appointment. National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Ibendahl Home, Kimzey Crossing, Tamaroa (618-542-6255 ) This National Park Service site is a beautiful historic home where hundreds of runaway slaves were helped to escape to freedom. Open by appointment. Paul Powell Museum 404 West Vine, Vienna (618-995-2068) Displays regarding the life and political career of statesman Paul Powell (he hid his money in shoe boxes under his bed!) Also, displays of the history and genealogy of Johnson County. Open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. Rainmaker Art Studio Makanda Boardwalk (618-457-6282) This studio features bronze & copper sculpture, jewelry and a very interesting courtyard. Open daily. Ratcliff Inn Museum 214 E. Main, Carmi (618-382-8425) Once a stagecoach inn where Lincoln spent nights; also see displays and artifacts of White County. Open by appointment. Renaissance House: A Working Art Gallery 1032 Organ St., Eldorado (618-273-7366) Housed in a historical brick building downtown, this gallery schedules exhibits and events, offers classes in art as well as original art and gifts for sale. Ridgway Museum Ridgway (618-272-7157) Collection of local history of Gallatin County and the Drone Family from France. Open weekends and by appointment. Riverlore and Magnolia Manor Washington Ave., Cairo ( 618-734-1840) Built in the middle 1800's, these are two of Cairo’s many historic mansions, beautifully restored for tours, parties, and receptions. Call for appointment. Rose Hotel Main Street, Elizabethtown (618-287-2872) http://www.rosehotel.net The oldest operating hotel in Illinois. This National Historic site was built in 1812 when river boats lined the Ohio River. Today it is a bed and breakfast; tours by appointment. http://www.rosehotel.net Safford Memorial Library 1609 Washington Ave., Cairo (618-734-1840) This Queen Anne styled library houses a valuable collection of Civil War documents, antiques and paintings. Open Monday-Saturday Saline Creek Pioneer Village 1600 South Feazel St., Harrisburg (618-253-7342) An 1877 Victorian “poor farm” houses a museum of local artifacts. Several log homes, barn & blockhouse, an old Quaker church, a mean old jail, and a school complete the village. Tours Tuesday through Sunday 2 to 5 p.m. Groups please call ahead. Small admission. Sesser Historic Opera House 108 W. Franklin Ave., Sesser (618-625-5566) The 1894 historical building entertained vaudeville acts and silent movies. Today it is open as a restaurant and for musical concerts. Shawnee Community College 8364 Shawnee College Rd., Ullin (800-481-2242 Ext. 3257) www.shawneecc.edu The College presents art exhibits in all media from mid-August through mid-May in the Campus Gallery. Shawneetown Bank Old Shawneetown (618-272–7038) The first State Bank in Illinois, built in 1830, is a grand Greek revival structure with four stories, and a five columned portico overlooking the Ohio River. Silkwood Inn and Museum Mulkeytown (618-724-1156) Built in 1828 as a halfway stop on the Old Shawneetown - Kaskaskia Trail, this restored log cabin houses memorabilia of the area. Open by appointment. Southern Illinois Artisans Shop & Visitors Center 14967 Gun Creek Trail, Whittington (618-629-2220) www.rendlake.org More than 25 categories of arts & crafts from fine art to traditional crafts by more than 1,600 Illinois Artisans. Free admission, handicap accessible, picnic tables, restrooms & tourism information; near beautiful Rend Lake. Host to annual Art & Wine Festival, a Children’s Art Fair, demonstrations and workshops. Open everyday, located off I-57 at Exit #77. Southeastern Illinois College Harrisburg (618-252-5400 ext. 2232) Educational, social, cultural & literary events; art gallery features monthly exhibits. Fall Arts & Crafts Festival first weekend in November Stinson Memorial Library 409 So. Main, Anna (618-833-2521) Native limestone building of 1914, designed by Walter Griffin, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, was named for Civil War veteran Robert Stinson. Tecumseh Bronze Statue Saline Co. State Fish & Wildlife Area , Equality (618-276-4405) A tribute to the great Shawnee chief who lived in this area and tried to unite the surrounding tribes. Located at the beginning of the Crest Trail. The Old Slave House Rt.1, Equality (618-998-9397) This 1834 historic mansion on Hickory Hill was built by John Crenshaw, who ran a salt mine, leased from the national government. For labor he rented slaves, who were kept in tiny rooms under the roof of this house. Owned by the State of Illinois, it is not open to the public yet. See www.illinoishistory.com for more info. Thebes Courthouse Rt. 3, Thebes (618-764-2658) Lincoln practiced law in this 1845 hand-hewn stone courthouse, and Dred Scott was given over night housing in the courthouse jail. Open by appointment or chance. U.S. Custom House Museum 14th & Washington St., Cairo (618-734-1019) This Civil War and local history museum is on the Nat’l Register of Historic Places. See the desk used by Gen. Grant while stationed in Cairo, an art gallery and more. Open Monday-Friday or by appointment. University Museum Southern Illinois University, Faner Hall C-Wing Carbondale (618-453-5388) Temporary and long-term exhibits in the arts, sciences, history and humanities. Lectures, gallery walks, guided tours, films, and gift shop is all a part of this world culture museum. Visions Art Gallery & Studio Makanda Boardwalk (618-549-5523) Over 30 artists display original creations, including blown glass, candles, drawings, gourd art, jewelry, mosaics, paintings, photography, weavings, woodcarvings and more. Open Monday, Wednesday-Sunday Williamson County Historical Museum 105 S. Van Buren, Marion (618-997-5863) 1913 jail and home of 16 sheriffs, now has 20 rooms depicting a general store, a bank, a doctors office and more. Open April through November on Thursdays, 9 am to 3 pm, or by appointment. |
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