The Old Courthouse Museum is OPEN BY APPOINTMENT. Please call 815-432-2215 or email at the address above. Follow us on Facebook @oldcourthousemusem1866 .
HARVEST DAZE 2021 - VENDORS
Mark your calendars for this year - October 2-3, 2021.
Fish Fry, Friday, October 1, 2021.
More information to follow.
During the closure due to COVID-19 restrictions, volunteers were able to complete many improvements, repairs and cleaning tasks. Outside, railings on the front steps were painted, roof edge, soffit and gutters were repaired. A tower window was replaced. Inside, ceilings and walls were repaired in several rooms. Updates to the boiler systems were completed. Front entrance flooring was replaced, as well as hallway walls painted. Some exhibits were moved or updated. In the genealogy vaults, the 150-year-old metal cabinet doors are being cleaned and shining again. Of course, we did lots and lots of cleaning to welcome back visitors. We hope you can come to see us soon.
The ICHS Annual Meeting was held April 24, 2021. Annual committee reports were given and officers were elected.
President - Diane Gagnon
Vice President - Jody Munsterman
Secretary - Janet Doyle
Treasurer - Bob Doyle
Special recognition was given to Marilyn Wilken for her 25 years of service to the ICHS Board, her dedication to the Art Gallery and support of local area artists. The Art Gallery will be named the Marilyn Wilken Art Gallery.
Special recognition was given to Mitchell Bence for his several years on the ICHS Board, including serving as the President of the ICHS Board and his dedication to the work of the Old Courthouse Museum.
President - Diane Gagnon
Vice President - Jody Munsterman
Secretary - Janet Doyle
Treasurer - Bob Doyle
Special recognition was given to Marilyn Wilken for her 25 years of service to the ICHS Board, her dedication to the Art Gallery and support of local area artists. The Art Gallery will be named the Marilyn Wilken Art Gallery.
Special recognition was given to Mitchell Bence for his several years on the ICHS Board, including serving as the President of the ICHS Board and his dedication to the work of the Old Courthouse Museum.
Today, a visit to the Old Courthouse is a step back in time where you can visit the old County Jail, see recreations of an old-time back porch, a Victorian parlor, old time general store, post office, one-room schoolhouse, and much more.
It is a place where you can stroll past showcase after showcase featuring one-of-a-kind treasures of a bygone era, with something to interest nearly everyone: fossil and mineral collections, Indian artifacts, the latest fashions of the Victoria era, a collection of over a hundred antique dolls, medical instruments from the pioneer days, and much more.
The highly-regarded genealogical archives of the Iroquois County Genealogical Society are housed in the original vaults of the records of Iroquois County, dating back to 1860.
Even though the Old Courthouse is a storehouse of things past, the present is well represented also. Renowned for its wonderful acoustics, the Old Courtroom now resounds with applause at the concerts, presentations and recitals held there each year.
We invite you to visit our art exhibitions featuring talented local artists, or attend one of our Spotlights, featuring communities, organizations, occupations or hobbies. Our natural history area displays animals of our area in a lifelike setting. The Museum Office stocks books and maps about Iroquois County, as well as local area souvenirs.
It is a place where you can stroll past showcase after showcase featuring one-of-a-kind treasures of a bygone era, with something to interest nearly everyone: fossil and mineral collections, Indian artifacts, the latest fashions of the Victoria era, a collection of over a hundred antique dolls, medical instruments from the pioneer days, and much more.
The highly-regarded genealogical archives of the Iroquois County Genealogical Society are housed in the original vaults of the records of Iroquois County, dating back to 1860.
Even though the Old Courthouse is a storehouse of things past, the present is well represented also. Renowned for its wonderful acoustics, the Old Courtroom now resounds with applause at the concerts, presentations and recitals held there each year.
We invite you to visit our art exhibitions featuring talented local artists, or attend one of our Spotlights, featuring communities, organizations, occupations or hobbies. Our natural history area displays animals of our area in a lifelike setting. The Museum Office stocks books and maps about Iroquois County, as well as local area souvenirs.
Your generous donations are greatly appreciated. We would like to thank everyone for their support in the past and hope you can continue to support this beautiful old building. If you have not been to the Museum for a while, please take time to stop in and view our new displays.
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