Macon County History Museum and Prairie Village

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Macon County History Museum and Prairie Village The Historical Society/Museum provides a forum for public knowledge through the operation of its mus

The Macon County Historical Society had its birth on May 25, 1916, when twelve people met in the Decatur Public Library, adopted a constitution, and elected temporary officers. In August 1916 there was an appeal to members at the Old Settlers' Picnic for any items of historical interest. The Society had plans "to establish a library of local and state history, to maintain a museum, and to cultivate the historic sense and diffuse knowledge upon these subjects by meeting and publications." On more than one occasion over the years the Society became inactive and then reorganized. In 1962 several local citizens met to discuss the reactivation of the Society, with meetings being held in Decatur's old Carnegie Library until the Society purchased the old North Cumberland Presbyterian Church to establish their new museum and a meeting place. The current location of the Society's Museum and Prairie Village complex in the former Excelsior South School was dedicated in 1979 on the 150th anniversary of the founding of both the city of Decatur and Macon County.

The top photo is from Sept. 1, 1913, of a parade by the Miller Bros. & Arlington Family of Wild West Performers as they ...
09/25/2026

The top photo is from Sept. 1, 1913, of a parade by the Miller Bros. & Arlington Family of Wild West Performers as they move through Lincoln Square. The bottom photo is of how the area looks today. Courtesy of the

The battles of Kings Mountain, Cowpens, and the southern campaign of the Revolutionary War.With museum director Nathan P...
06/17/2026

The battles of Kings Mountain, Cowpens, and the southern campaign of the Revolutionary War.

With museum director Nathan Pierce
Saturday, June 20 at 1:30

04/02/2026

***UPDATE *** The museum will now be open tomorrow, April 3rd, for our normal business hours of 1-4.

The Macon County History Museum will be Closed Friday April 3rd for Easter Holiday...

***UPDATE***The exhibit will now be open to the public all 5 days instead of the original post of March 13-15.New dates ...
02/24/2026

***UPDATE***
The exhibit will now be open to the public all 5 days instead of the original post of March 13-15.
New dates are March 10-15.

01/28/2026

We have currently been without phone and internet. A temporary internet solution is in place now, but we will be without phone service for the unforeseeable future. Please contact the museum through Facebook or via email, at [email protected]

Send a message to learn more

01/28/2026

Just letting everyone know that the internet & phone system is down at the museum until Feb 3rd, thank you!...

Send a message to learn more

01/06/2026

The Macon County History Museum will be closed January 6 until February 3.

Send a message to learn more

Address

5580 N Fork Road
Decatur, IL
62521

Telephone

+12174224919

Website

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