Southeastern Illinois Museums

Southeastern Illinois has a long and storied history, and so many buildings, forts, and monuments, including civil war relics and churches over a century old, still stand. Visitors can get a detailed look at the region’s history at the Safford Memorial Library in Cairo, which is filled with antique documents in painting, or The Old Depot in Tamms, which is an original Chicago railroad depot that has been restored as a museum.

Southeastern Illinois Museums, each with a unique outlook on life in this region await your visit while traveling through the area.

American Fluorite Museum

RR 1 Box 11, 1st St, Rosiclare, IL 62982

The American Fluorite Museum is situated on the former site of the Rosiclare Fluorspar and Mining Co., the largest fluorspar mining company in the United States. Photographs, ore specimens, mining memorabilia, and colorful dioramas are on display.

Carnegie Museum

401 E. Main St., Olney

Hours: Sunday afternoons, April to October from 1:30-4 pm or by appointment.

A trove of Richland County history! A collection of books and artifacts of World Famous Ornithologist Robert Ridway. Artifacts from the oil, military, education, farming and medical industry. Early publications of the Olney newspaper. Permanent displays of the Civil War and evolution of Little Egypt.

Clay County Historical Society Museum

105 S. Main St., Louisville

Hours: Open by appointment.

Located on the east side of the square in Louisville, the Clay County Museum occupies the former Clay County Jail and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is open to groups or individuals by appointment by calling Agness Bryant at 618-665-3573 or David McPeak (President ) at: 618-686-7541

Cumberland County Historical & Genealogical Museum

213 W. Cumberland Street (P.O. Box 582), Greenup

Hours: Wednesday through Saturday 11:00-3:30.

A huge selection of genealogy information at the old Johnson building (213 W. Cumberland Street) with a Victorian room upstairs. Don’t miss the the original train depot located next door.

In 2010 a new Military Museum was opened located in the old Carnegie library across the street. Our three buildings are listed on the National Register of Historical buildings.

Edwards County Historical Society Museum

212 W. Main St., Albion

Hours: Thursday evenings or by appointment

Explore the history of Edwards County at an 1850’s residence that was the birthplace of Louis Lincoln Emerson, former Illinois Governor. He was born at this location in 1863 and served as Illinois Governor from 1929 – 1933.

Greenup Train Depot and Museum

213 W. Cumberland, Greenup

The original depot that was used up until 1967 when the train master retired. There are several train artifacts in the depot and there is a large miniature train display and upstairs is the train masters living quarters. Hours are Thursday thru Sunday 11:30-4:00.

Hanna House Museum

First and Center Streets, Fairfield

Hours: Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM April through October

The Hanna House Museum collection showcases relics from the 1920s to present. Featuring several special exhibits including military items from World War II and the Vietnam War, country schools, the Shelton Gang, the Oil Boom, Medicine, Sports, Fairfield schools, country store and farming items, churches and Mopar racing. In addition the museum features a large collection of Lion’s Club memorabilia and a rare collection of early 1900s funeral home equipment.

Heritage House

122 E. Elm, Olney

Hours: Sunday afternoons April to the Sunday before Christmas, from 1:30-4 pm or by appointment

Victorian home built in 1874. It features complete turn of the century furniture and artifacts.

Jasper County Museum

100 S. Van Buren St., Newton

Hours: M, W, F 10 am to 5 pm; T, Th 10 am to 7 pm; Sat. 10 am to 1 pm

The Museum, housed together with the Newton Library, began in 1966 by two Newton druggists, Henry and Frank Schackmann, who donated the first items that were placed in the museum.

John Marshall Home-bank Museum

1st St. Old Shawneetown IL 62984

On the banks of the Ohio River, John Marshall built the first brick home in Illinois, which later became the first bank in Illinois Territory. In Illinois, this was the birthplace of commercial banking. The Gallatin County Historical Society rebuilt the old structure and opened it to the public in 1974.

L. Haas Store Museum

215 E. Main, Carmi

L. Haas Store Museum, located across the street from the Ratcliff, features a rather unique display. Bill Hanna, “The Humane Hangman” is showcased with the tools of his trade from an era when criminal sentences were carried out on the gallows.

Lawrence County Historical Museum

619 12th Street, Lawrenceville

Hours: Open Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

There are many displays of historical artifacts of Lawrence County, along with models of the oil field industry, which once dominated the area.

One Room Country Schoolhouse

Robinson Stree, Carmi

A One Room Schoolhouse is also featured on Robinson Street. It offers nostalgia for some and a history lesson for others.

Ratcliff Inn Museum

214 E. Main Street, Carmi

An 1828 stagecoach inn that has the distinction of an overnight stay from Abraham Lincoln. Displays include artifacts of the White County region.

Robinson Stewart House

110 S. Main Cross Street, Carmi

The Robinson Stewart House also on Main Cross was the home of U.S. Senator James M. Robinson. It features furnishings of that era.

The Matsel Cabin

Main Cross & Robinson Street, Carmi

The Matsel Cabin offers insights into the lives of early settlers of White County.

Wabash County Museum

320 N. Market Street, Mount Carmel

Hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday afternoons from 2-5 pm

The Wabash County Museum is dedicated to the preservation of local area history through preservation and conservation of artifacts and memorabilia. It offers rotating exhibits about local history, industry, local families and their way of life in a new location at 320 N. Market Street. The museum has 5,000 sq. ft. of public space for exhibits, meetings and research genealogy library, and is handicapped accessible.