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Museums

Bureau County Genealogical Society

629 S. Main St.,
Princeton, IL 61356 Map
815-879-3133
Website

The Society is devoted to the preservation of historical and genealogical records for Bureau County. The library is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; other times are available by appointment.

Owen Lovejoy Homestead

Rt. 6 East & Rt. 26,
Princeton, IL 61356 Map
815-875-2616
or 815-879-9151
Website

A Former Station on the Underground Railroad, the Lovejoy Homestead is located at the eastern edge of Princeton, Illinois, and was the home of the Denham and Lovejoy families for nearly 100 years.

Also located on the Lovejoy Homestead property is the one room Colton Schoolhouse. It was moved from its original location 2.5 miles east to the Homestead in 1971.

Wyanet Historical Society

320 E. Second St.,
Wyanet, IL 61379 Map
815-699-2559 or
815-699-2419

History of town, schools, genealogy, veterans, WWI and II history, uniforms and Civil War diaries available for viewing. By appointment. Donations are welcome.

Mineral Pride Historical Society Museum

115 Main St.,
Mineral, IL 61344 Map
Website

Devoted to the preservation of the memories and history of those who were raised or spent a part of their lifetime in Mineral, Illinois.

Bureau County History Center & Museum

109 Park Ave West,
Princeton, IL 61356 Map
815-875-2184
Website

Four floors featuring local history, genealogy, pioneers, agriculture, Civil War, library, and natural history. Open March through December, Wednesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Groups by appointment. Donation requested.

Spring Valley Historic Association Museum

201 W. St. Paul St.,
Spring Valley, IL 61362 Map
815-664-4288

Open Wednesdays & Saturdays Year round 1 – 4PM Featuring items related to John Mitchell, Coal Mining, Area Businesses and Schools.

Henry Thomas Museum

North King St.,
Wyanet, IL 61379 Map

Henry Thomas was the first permanent settler in Bureau County. Born in Virginia; he settled in 1828 in Bureau Township. He was a man of many firsts. Among the firsts in Bureau County, Thomas was responsible for the first furrow plowed; his daughter, Mary was the first settler child born; and the first post office was located at his Bureau County Township home. View a wonderful museum of Bureau County Township and Thomas Family memorabilia. By appointment only.

Sheffield Historical Society

125 Washington St.,
Sheffield, IL 61361 Map
815-454-2850
Website

Historic Danish church built in 1880 and museum with 10 exhibit areas and a research and reference room for local history of ten towns and genealogy. Admission is $1 per person. Research fees may apply. Hours are Thursday-Saturday 11a.m.-4pm.

Manlius Historical Society

122 E. Maple Ave
Manlius, Illinois 61338 Map
815-646-4369
815-445-4102
or 815-454-2532
By Appointment only
Website

The 1915 First State Building was designed by Parker Noble Berry, a Prairie School architect, who was chief designer for Louis H. Sullivan. Building is listed in the National Register of Historic Buildings and Sites in the United States. Berry died at a young age, so there are few visible examples of his work.

Neponset Township Historical Society

113 Commercial St.,
Neponset, IL 61345 Map
309-594-2197
Website

Genealogical information and displays. By appointment only.

Tiskilwa Historical Society Museum

110 E. Main St.
Tiskilwa, IL 61368 Map
815-646-4016

Recently recognized as “Volunteer Institution of the Year” by the Illinois Association of Museums, Tiskilwa Historical Society offers six galleries displaying Tiskilwa’s colorful past: Native American artifacts, village, military and school memorabilia, Hennepin Canal construction photos, old farm implements, early domestic items, railroads, churches, and quite a bit more.