St. Clair County Historical Society

St. Clair County Historical Society St. Clair County Historical Society educates, preserves and disseminates the fascinating story of St. Clair County, Illinois.
(1)

Today’s the big day!The US250 Belleville History Field day kicks off at 10 A.M.Fascinating stories about our past await ...
06/20/2026

Today’s the big day!

The US250 Belleville History Field day kicks off at 10 A.M.

Fascinating stories about our past await you along with live music, food, drinks, and a wonderful day in downtown Belleville.

See you there!

On Juneteenth, an assignment.Visit the Record of Freedom Certificates 1822-1842 at Illinois Digital Archives: https://ow...
06/19/2026

On Juneteenth, an assignment.

Visit the Record of Freedom Certificates 1822-1842 at Illinois Digital Archives: https://ow.ly/AtFt50ZeutQ

Flip through the neatly handwritten pages and read the entires.

Each one represents a formerly enslaved person presenting the proof of their emancipation to the St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Read their names and descriptions and a person emerges from amidst the pages of legalese.

For these men and women, St. Clair County was first place they lived as free people.

In reading these records, we bear witness to these freedom seekers and their stories.

Here is the full lineup & map (including parking) for Saturday’s US250 Belleville History Field Day.Something for everyo...
06/18/2026

Here is the full lineup & map (including parking) for Saturday’s US250 Belleville History Field Day.

Something for everyone and the weather looks to be great.

See you there!

Belleville Historical Society Labor & Industry Museum Belleville Illinois Belleville Philharmonic Society St. Clair County Genealogical Society of Illinois Gustave Koerner Charlie’s Place Belleville Main Street

LOCOMOTIVE SAVES RAVIOLI!Yes, we’re fine. No, you didn’t read that wrong.This unlikely scene played out in Belleville in...
06/18/2026

LOCOMOTIVE SAVES RAVIOLI!

Yes, we’re fine.

No, you didn’t read that wrong.

This unlikely scene played out in Belleville in April of 1954.

The boiler at Tony Bonnelle Manufacturing Company (600 Lebanon Avenue) failed, threatening to shut down production of their famous spaghetti and ravioli.

Luckily, an Illinois Central steam locomotive waited on a siding nearby. With steam diverted from the locomotive, the plant kept running while repairs were made.

Image: Farmer’s Weekly Review; moire removed and clarified using AI.

On July 8th, join us for Language of Liberty: A Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Old Cahokia Cou...
06/17/2026

On July 8th, join us for Language of Liberty: A Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Old Cahokia Courthouse State Historic Site in Cahokia Heights.

Experience the power of the nation’s founding words in a historic setting.

Free and open to all.

Lewis and Clark Chapter, Illinois SAR Belleville Chapter NSDAR Illinois Department of Natural Resources

In 1850, local educator and farmer George Bunsen wrote this letter to The Prairie Farmer, the most widely read agricultu...
06/17/2026

In 1850, local educator and farmer George Bunsen wrote this letter to The Prairie Farmer, the most widely read agricultural publication of its time.

Bunsen discusses his horse-powered mill, which he used on his farm in Shiloh Valley.

Note that he mentions that the mill was made in Belleville by Cox & Roberts.

On June 20th, step back in time and experience the day Abraham Lincoln visited Belleville during one of the most pivotal...
06/16/2026

On June 20th, step back in time and experience the day Abraham Lincoln visited Belleville during one of the most pivotal election seasons in American history.

Join us for a guided walking tour through historic downtown Belleville, tracing the footsteps of Lincoln and other prominent Illinois leaders as they visited in October of 1856.

The tour is one of the many activities planned for the Belleville History Field Day.

***DON’T DELAY! TICKETS ARE GOING FAST!***

Free tour; registration required. Register here: https://buytickets.at/stclaircountyhistoricalsociety/2165064

Transportation naturally figures prominently in the 1890 profile of East St. Louis in Leslie’s Illustrated News.The city...
06/16/2026

Transportation naturally figures prominently in the 1890 profile of East St. Louis in Leslie’s Illustrated News.

The city’s founding happened because of transportation with Capt. James Piggott’s ferry in 1795.

A century later, the city was a crucial railroad hub.

The 1892 ad for McCasland & Co. illustrates this in detail (be sure to zoom in to read the fine print).

When this photo was taken in the early 1960s, this building was one of the last in Belleville’s to have an original port...
06/15/2026

When this photo was taken in the early 1960s, this building was one of the last in Belleville’s to have an original porte-cochère.

A porte-cochère is a passageway which allows vehicles to enter from the street. The vehicles then unloaded passengers through a doorway or in a rear courtyard.

Our research indicates that it sat in the 200 block of E. Washington on the north side of the street. The address may have been 215 E. Washington.

It seems that it was demolished around 1965.

Photos donated in 1994.

Check out the full lineup for the Belleville History Field Day on Saturday.As you can see, the schedule is packed with f...
06/15/2026

Check out the full lineup for the Belleville History Field Day on Saturday.

As you can see, the schedule is packed with fun and history.

Come out and celebrate with us!

Belleville Historical Society Belleville Philharmonic Society Labor & Industry Museum Belleville Illinois St. Clair County Genealogical Society of Illinois Gustave Koerner Charlie’s Place Belleville Main Street Welcome to Belleville, IL

Address

705 E Washington Street
Belleville, IL
62220

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 3pm
Tuesday 11am - 3pm
Wednesday 11am - 3pm
Thursday 11am - 3pm
Friday 11am - 3pm

Telephone

(618) 234-0600

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when St. Clair County Historical Society posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to St. Clair County Historical Society:

Shortcuts

Share

Category