Area Historical Societies

Beecher Community Historical Society

Washington Township Museum
673 Penfield St.
P.O. Box 1469
Beecher, IL 60401
Sat. 10–12; by appt.
Hereford cattle, local history, Welton Ehrhardt (Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher)
Virginia Churchill Bath, Currator
708-946-6218

Bourbonnais Grove Historical Society

Stratford Dr. & Illinois Rt. 102
P.O. Box 311
Bourbonnais, IL 60914
815-933-6452
The Bourbonnais Grove Historical Society was instrumental in saving, relocating, and restoring the George R. Letourneau Home Museum. The house is open to the public on the first and third Sundays of the month.

Herscher Area Historical Society

P.O. Box 403
Herscher, IL 60941
815 949-1555
HAHS website

Iroquois County Historical Society Old Courthouse Museum

103 W. Cherry St.
Watseka, IL 60970
Mon.–Fri. 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Apr.–Dec.: also Sat.–Sun. 1–4 p.m.
815-432-2215
ICHAS museum website

Kankakee County Historical Society

8th & Water St.
Kankakee, IL 60901
815-932-5279
Weekdays 10–3 p.m.; Sat.–Sun. 1–4 p.m.; by appt
Located in Governor Small Memorial Park. Six exhibit areas:
Taylor School, Small home, Indian artifacts, main gallery, newspaper & print shop, and Centennial Room. Housewares, period costumes, period furniture, and early firearms. Also local newspapers from 1867, photograph collection and Civil War Documents.
KCHS museum website

Manteno Historical Society Museum

192 West 3rd St.
Manteno, IL 60950
815-468-7586
The Charles P. Skinner house was purchased by the society in 1988. A showcase attached to the house displays an antique buggy. A memorial park with a sundial and a one-room school house are included in the museum grounds.
MSH website

Momence Historical Museum

Momemce, IL 60954
815-472-4414
The Momence Historical House recreates the period of history from 1870 to 1900. Most of the furnishings and accessories have been donated or loaned by Momence residents.

Perry Farm Park

459 N. Kennedy Drive
Bourbonnais, IL 60914
815-933-9905 or 815-933-5468
The 178-acre recreation area offers four miles of paved paths, oak meadows, a fruit tree orchard, picnic areas, and a gazebo. An Illinois nature preserve area highlights Indian Caves along the Bourbonnais Creek and ravine.
Perry Farm website

Wilmington Area Historical Society

104 N. Water St.
P.O. Box 1
Wilmingtion, IL 60481