Stephenson County Historical Society

Stephenson County Historical Society The Stephenson County Museum has been regarded as Freeport's best kept secret, but we have no desire to keep it a secret!

One of the joys of working in local history is visiting and learning from other museums. Last summer, members of the Ste...
06/18/2026

One of the joys of working in local history is visiting and learning from other museums. Last summer, members of the Stephenson County Historical Society had the opportunity to tour the beautiful Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum in Rockford and gain a deeper appreciation for the work being done to preserve our region’s history.

Museums of all sizes play an important role in protecting the stories, artifacts, and places that connect us to the past. If you’re looking for a day trip this summer, consider visiting a local museum and supporting the organizations that keep history alive for future generations.

🏛️ Historical Happenings This Weekend in Stephenson County 🏛️Looking for something to do this weekend? Several local his...
06/17/2026

🏛️ Historical Happenings This Weekend in Stephenson County 🏛️

Looking for something to do this weekend? Several local historical societies are hosting programs, opening their museums, and sharing the stories that make our communities unique.

📍 June 20 | 1:00–3:00 PM
A Tribute to President Ronald Reagan
Freeport Public Library
100 E. Douglas Street, Freeport
Presented by former Representative Jim Sacia. Free and open to the public.

📍 June 20 | 2:00 PM
Lena Historical Society
“And That’s the Way I Remember It”
427 Grove Street, Lena
Bill Dietz shares stories from his book about growing up on a farm near Walnut, Illinois during the 1950s and 1960s.

📍 June 20 | 1:00–4:00 PM
Cedarville Area Historical Society
Museum Open House
Stop by and explore Cedarville’s rich local history.

📍 Stephenson County Historical Society
1440 S. Carroll Avenue, Freeport

Open:
• Friday: 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
• Saturday: 12:00 PM–4:00 PM
• Sunday: 12:00 PM–4:00 PM

Come explore the Taylor Mansion, Museum of Industrial Heritage, and our newest exhibits.

Support local museums, discover local history, and make a weekend of it! ❤️🏛️📚

This month we’re featuring The Clingman Crazy Quilt: Piecing Together a Family Legacy by Sarah McNeil.Part family histor...
06/16/2026

This month we’re featuring The Clingman Crazy Quilt: Piecing Together a Family Legacy by Sarah McNeil.

Part family history, part local history, and part work of art, this beautiful book traces the story behind a remarkable quilt created by Myrtle Clingman Hahn of Cedarville. Through photographs, research, and storytelling, Sarah McNeil brings to life the people, places, and traditions woven into this unique piece of Stephenson County history.

Available in our gift shop while supplies last!

The Stephenson County Historical Society would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Freeport Park District for al...
06/14/2026

The Stephenson County Historical Society would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Freeport Park District for all they do to support our organization and our community.

From maintaining the museum grounds to helping preserve historic spaces and providing opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy local history, their partnership plays an important role in our success. We are grateful for their continued support and commitment to making Freeport a wonderful place to live, learn, and explore.

Looking for something to do this summer? Be sure to check out the many programs, events, and activities offered by the Freeport Park District. You can view their event calendar here: https://freeportparkdistrict.org/events

Thank you, Freeport Park District, for helping us preserve the past while enriching our community today!

After careful consideration, the Stephenson County Historical Society has decided to postpone this year’s Ice Cream Soci...
06/14/2026

After careful consideration, the Stephenson County Historical Society has decided to postpone this year’s Ice Cream Social.

With the road construction taking place along Carroll Avenue, we felt it was best to give the construction crews the space they need to work safely and efficiently. Because this event relies heavily on street parking and pedestrian traffic, we want to avoid any potential issues related to traffic flow, signage, construction equipment, or changing road conditions.

While we are disappointed to postpone one of our favorite summer traditions, the safety of our visitors, volunteers, and community comes first.

The good news is that we are already discussing plans to bring the event back later this autumn, or possibly host a similar community gathering at the museum.

The Ice Cream Social has created many wonderful memories over the years. In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing photos and memories from past events as we celebrate this special tradition and look forward to its return.

All other Stephenson County Historical Society events will continue as scheduled. Please visit our website and follow our social media pages for updates on exhibits, programs, and upcoming events.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We look forward to welcoming you to the museum soon!

🌭 Support Local History in Cedarville! 🌭Looking for lunch? Stop by Sullivan’s in Lena on June 12 and 13 from 11:00 AM–1:...
06/12/2026

🌭 Support Local History in Cedarville! 🌭

Looking for lunch? Stop by Sullivan’s in Lena on June 12 and 13 from 11:00 AM–1:00 PM and grab a delicious brat while supporting the Cedarville Area Historical Society.

This is the Historical Society’s first time hosting the brat stand, and all proceeds will help support the museum’s operating fund and preservation efforts.

Enjoy great food, support local history, and help keep the grills busy!

Experience one of Stephenson County’s most fascinating historical destinations and explore the stories, architecture, an...
06/12/2026

Experience one of Stephenson County’s most fascinating historical destinations and explore the stories, architecture, and industrial heritage that helped shape the region. Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply looking for a unique weekend outing, the Taylor Mansion and Museum of Industrial Heritage offers an unforgettable journey into the past.

📍 1440 S. Carroll Ave., Freeport, IL

Hours:
Friday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Planning a group visit? Email us at [email protected] to schedule a tour.

We hope to see you this weekend!

Thank you to the Women’s Enrichment Network for visiting the Stephenson County Historical Society this week.Despite the ...
06/11/2026

Thank you to the Women’s Enrichment Network for visiting the Stephenson County Historical Society this week.

Despite the power outage, we appreciated the opportunity to share a bit of the story of Malvina Taylor, Winnifred Taylor, and the Taylor family’s impact on Freeport.

Thank you to our volunteers and to everyone who joined us. We hope to see you again soon!

🏛️ Historical Happenings Around Stephenson County This Weekend! 🏛️Looking for something fun and educational to do this w...
06/10/2026

🏛️ Historical Happenings Around Stephenson County This Weekend! 🏛️

Looking for something fun and educational to do this weekend? Our local historical societies have several great events and museums open to visitors throughout the county.

📍 June 13 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Pearl City Historical Organization
1st Annual Heritage Arts and Skills Day
Blackhawk War Memorial
14109 W. Blackhawk Rd., Kent, IL

Experience traditional skills and crafts including blacksmithing, quilting, wood carving, soap making, basket weaving, candle making, beadwork, Native American tools and weapons, and much more.

📍 June 13 | 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
Cedarville Area Historical Society Brat Stand Fundraiser
Sullivan’s Foods
450 N. 2nd St., Lena, IL

Grab lunch while supporting local history! Proceeds help support the Cedarville Area Historical Society’s operating fund.

📍 June 13 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
McConnell Historical Society Museum
202 E. Main St., McConnell, IL

The museum is open on the second Saturday of each month. Stop in and explore McConnell’s rich local history.

Edit: also open 12pm to 4pm on Sunday 6/14

📍 June 14 | 1:00 PM–4:00 PM
Rock Run Historical Society
201 N. Main St., Rock City, IL

Visit the museum and enjoy a special display highlighting area ghost towns and the communities that once called Stephenson County home.

📍 Stephenson County Historical Society
1440 S. Carroll Ave., Freeport, IL

We’re open this weekend too!

• Friday: 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
• Saturday: 12:00 PM–4:00 PM
• Sunday: 12:00 PM–4:00 PM

Come explore the Taylor Mansion, Museum of Industrial Heritage, and our many exhibits preserving the stories of Stephenson County.

Support local history and discover something new this weekend

The Stephenson County Historical Society would like to extend a huge thank you to Carpets by Kuniej for installing beaut...
06/04/2026

The Stephenson County Historical Society would like to extend a huge thank you to Carpets by Kuniej for installing beautiful new flooring in our Museum of Industrial Heritage and to Omara Moving & Storage for providing the manpower to carefully move exhibits and artifacts throughout the project.

This was no small task, and we are incredibly grateful for the support of these local businesses. The new flooring has transformed the space, and we can’t wait for visitors to see it!

Stop by this weekend and check it out for yourself:

📍 Friday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Saturday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Sunday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Thank you for helping us preserve and improve the places where Stephenson County’s stories are shared. We look forward to welcoming you to the museum soon!

Address

1440 S Carroll Avenue
Freeport, IL
61032

Opening Hours

Wednesday 12pm - 4pm
Thursday 12pm - 4pm
Friday 12pm - 4pm
Saturday 12pm - 4pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

(815) 232-8419

Website

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