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Preserving the Heritage of Western Illinois 201 South Lafayette Street Macomb,
IL 61455 Hours: |
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September Artifact of the Month The September Artifact of the Month is
a selection from the museum Depression Glass collection. Get the first Artifact of the Month Book, a fully illustrated compilation of essays by Heather Munro about the museum's unique collection. |
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Become a Member and get the Artifact of the Month book. The Friends of the Western Illinois Museum provide support for the museum’s collection and exhibition program. The museum is entrusted with over 6,000 artifacts that represent the diverse culture of West Central Illinois and provides opportunities through exhibitions, lectures, and internships, for the community to learn about the history of the region. Become a member or renew your membership and get the museum's first publication, Artifact of the Month, Highlights from the Collection of the Western Illinois Museum. Choose the level that is right for you and we'll give you this compilation of compelling essays by Heather Munro. The books is fully illustrated and includes eleven of the most popular artifacts featured in the museum's monthly program highlighting the unique and diverse history of the West Central Illinois region. The Western Illinois Museum is a 501c3 corporation and memberships are tax deductible. Friends of the Museum levels: Make checks payable to: Or call 309.837.2750 for more information. |
Current Exhibit
The Exhibit includes artifacts from the museum's collection along with items lent by:
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The Courthouse Square: A History in the Making McDonough County’s Courthouse Square, built in the center of the county, has long been the focal point for area residents and visitors. The Western Illinois Museum’s new exhibit, The Courthouse Square: A History in the Making, showcases the over 175 years of our regions unique history as it was lived on the square. The exhibit includes photographs that trace changes in the physical features of the square, oral histories from seven long time residents, and a number of artifacts from the museum’s collection and on loan from the community. Since the first business opened on the square in 1833 it has been the place where the history and culture of our region has been created. Artifacts like an 1867 legal ledger from the law firm Tunnicliff and Matteson provides a record of how early settlers established McDonough County as a vibrant community and built the physical place we call the square. The exhibit offers visitors a number of ways to delve into the history of the Courthouse Square. On display are photographs and artifacts, newspaper accounts of events and important dates, stories of families, along with explanation of business practices and social concerns on the square. For the first time at the Western Illinois Museum, visitors can listen to recently collected oral histories about life on the square. Recording stations through out the exhibit have short recollection from local residents Suzie Melton, Tweed Mummert, Harold Morrow, Chris Strong, Leona Waller, and George Wannamaker. Listen to a brief sample of Tweed Mummert's recollection of working on the square. Examining the history of a location, like the Courthouse Square, reveals what a community chooses to value. The current exhibit at the Western Illinois Museum is an entryway into the unique past of the region and offers a chance to appreciate what we have today while informing what could be preserved for tomorrow. Research assistance for the exhibit has been provided by Sally Adams, Dustin Hinrichs, Heather Munro, Lottie Phillips and Miriam Rauschert. Members of the Historic Preservation Commission have acted as advisor for exhibit, and installation assistance was provided by Gil Belles, Elaine Goldfarb, and Lowell and Lois Lueck. The oral history project was made possible with support from the Friends of the Museum and Walmart. The exhibit will be on view through September 11, 2010. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am – 4pm. Admission to the reception and the museum is free and open to the public. Donations appreciated. Guided tours are available for groups and special programs can be arranged for school groups. Please contact curator Sue Scott to make arrangements for your visit. |
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New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music In October of 2010, the museum will host New Harmonies, a traveling Smithsonian exhibition about American roots music. The exhibit will also explore regional roots music such as the contributions of musicians and composers like Al Sears. New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music has been made possible at the Western Illinois Museum by the Illinois Humanities Council. New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and the Federation of State Humanities Councils. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress. |
Museum visitors who attended the May 29th walking tour of
the Courthouse Square guided by museum volunteer
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Walk Historic Courthouse Square Tours will leave from the museum and are free and open to the public. Donations appreciated. Dates and times for walking tour of the Courthouse Square:
The Al Sears Primer |
Local History
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General Alexander Macomb 1782- 1841 Hero of the War of 1812 Born in Detroit, General Macomb was one of the first
graduates of the new military academy, West Point. In September,
1814, he repulsed the superior British forces in the Battle of Plattsburg,
New York. This painting
by Thomas Sully, was completed in 1829 and hangs in the West
Point museum. The town of Macomb was named for him in December,
1830. Earlier in 1830 it had been named Washington, Illinois. |
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Additional Macomb area Web sites: McDonough County Historical Society McDonough County History Consortium Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Center Macomb Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
Visit Area Business that are Friend of the Museum |
Webmaster: E. Betty Kaspar
