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Wednesday 10am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 4pm Sunday 1pm - 4pm

Jacksonville Area Museum

Name: Jacksonville Area Museum
Address: Location: 301 East State Street Mailing Address: PO Box 305, Jacksonville, IL, 62650, US
Telephone: +12174081197

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Jacksonville Area Museum

Not open on Major Holidays.

Dedicated to the collection, preservation, interpretation, and appreciation of the cultural history and heritage of Jacksonville, Illinois and the surrounding area.

08/25/2026

THIS DAY IN JACKSONVILLE HISTORY On August 25, 1983, fire destroyed Bill’s Star Market on West State Street.

The photo is from the building opening as an A&P in 1948.

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This history note is courtesy of the new book, "Past to Present: Jacksonville at 200" featuring stories, photos, and more from Jacksonville's 200th Anniversary. The book is available at the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce on West Morton, near the Ferris Wheel. Get your copy today See less

08/23/2026

THIS DAY IN JACKSONVILLE HISTORY On August 23, 2010, a massive fire destroyed the LaCrosse Lumber Company at the corner of South Main Street and West Beecher Avenue.

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This history note is courtesy of the new book, "Past to Present: Jacksonville at 200" featuring stories, photos, and more from Jacksonville's 200th Anniversary. The book is available at the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce on West Morton, near the Ferris Wheel. Get your copy today See less

08/17/2026

THIS DAY IN JACKSONVILLE HISTORY On August 17, 1969, WJJY-TV, Channel 14, with studios at 1314 West Walnut Street, went on the air.

Today, the building is part of the complex that houses Elm City Center, providing opportunities for persons with disabilities.
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This history note is courtesy of the new book, "Past to Present: Jacksonville at 200" featuring stories, photos, and more from Jacksonville's 200th Anniversary. The book is available at the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce on West Morton, near the Ferris Wheel. Get your copy today!

08/16/2026

THIS DAY IN JACKSONVILLE HISTORY On August 16, 2010, former Jacksonville Mayor Ron Tendick drove his 1947 Chevrolet street rod while leading several vehicles around the reopened Jacksonville square.

It was the first time the streets on the north and south sides of the square had been open to traffic since 1974.
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This history note is courtesy of the new book, "Past to Present: Jacksonville at 200" featuring stories, photos, and more from Jacksonville's 200th Anniversary. The book is available at the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce on West Morton, near the Ferris Wheel. Get your copy today!

08/11/2026

THIS MONTH IN JACKSONVILLE HISTORY In August 1974, The Central Park Plaza Amphitheater was under construction.

The project was part of the urban renewal project of downtown Jacksonville, which was undone around the 2010s.
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This history note is courtesy of the new book, "Past to Present: Jacksonville at 200" featuring stories, photos, and more from Jacksonville's 200th Anniversary. The book is available at the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce on West Morton, near the Ferris Wheel. Get your copy today!

08/10/2026

The Jacksonville Area Museum has opened a new dentistry display focusing on Jacksonville resident Dr. Greene Vardiman Black, known as the Father of Modern Dentistry.

“Jacksonville’s Dr. Greene Vardiman Black was a curious inventor, scientist, and teacher who changed the way dentists care for patients,” said Jacksonville Area Museum Manager Tori Ohl. “Through his discoveries, inventions and dedication to education, Dr. Black helped transform dentistry into the modern profession we know today.”

The display, titled “This Won’t Hurt a Bit,” opened to commemorate Black’s 190th birthday and includes several items from the museum’s collections that represent the progression of the dental profession. There is a gold rolling machine, used to flatten gold into sheets so it could be used for dental fillings; a treadle-powered dental drill; a period dental chair; and a cabinet donated by Black’s descendants that was used to store dental tools. Interpretive panels provide images of Dr. Black and information about his life and career.

A bust of G.V. Black created by Richard Bock, the famed sculptor who collaborated with Frank Lloyd Wright on Springfield’s Dana-Thomas House and other buildings, anchors one end of the display. Visitors are encouraged to take a selfie with the bust of Dr. Black and rub his nose for good dental health.

The smallest artifact, and perhaps the most interesting, is an actual tooth that Dr. Black filled using a process that he perfected and that dentists worldwide emulated for many years.

The new dentistry display may be viewed in the museum’s West Gallery during normal hours of operation on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. The display will take up residence in the museum’s new central gallery, now under construction, in 2027.

Visit jacksonvilleareamuseum.org or connect with the Jacksonville Area Museum on Facebook for more information or to find out how to become a museum member or volunteer.

08/08/2026

Thank you to all the creatives who picked up canvases at the Jacksonville Area Museum for our community art project!

As of museum closing on Saturday, all 100 canvases have been adopted by local artists. 100 canvases gone in 4 days! We are thrilled with the involvement of so many community members.

Now the fun part... create your interpretation of the artwork you received, and please return the canvas no later than September 12, 2026 to the museum. All 100 will be installed together for an unveiling of a larger image, as part of our upcoming exhibit "The Geography of Memory: Jacksonville in Art" which will highlight artwork of Jacksonville by Jacksonvillians.

This exhibit, along with the collective painting, will debut in September. Look for more information about the hanging ceremony and art opening soon!

08/05/2026

We need YOU to show off your creative side!

The Jacksonville Area Museum is looking for 100 participants of all ages to combine their talents into one large collective interpretation of Jacksonville on a large scale.

100 canvases are waiting to be adopted by local artists. Each comes with a small square photo of a larger work, which we are asking YOU to interpret on the provided canvas. All the 8x8 canvases will be combined into a larger work, revealing an image celebrating our city and area.

It's easy and fun to participate:

1. Stop by the museum during open hours, and pick up a random packet (or two) with a canvas, your square of artwork to interpret, and all needed instructions. The museum is open Wed. & Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 1-4 p.m.

2. An 8”x8” canvas and photo is in your packet. Recreate the photo on your canvas. Be sure to keep the top of the photo on the top of your canvas!

3. You paint, draw, craft, or interpret your square onto your canvas. Be creative! The only restrictions are that you honor the color palette and lines/edges, and do not extend beyond the edges of the canvas. All mediums and interpretations are accepted and encouraged: paint, felt, glitter, yarn, paper, cereal, fur... you name it! Have fun! (please, nothing sticky, runny, or stinky)

4. Artists are asked not to open their envelopes until they get home. If you think you recognize the final painting, please do not to reveal it on social media or discuss it to preserve the surprise of the installation.

5. Please return the canvas no later than September 12, 2026 to the museum.

On September 18, an event will be held to install all 100 canvases together to create the collective image.

The event is part of the grand opening of a larger exhibit called "The Geography of Memory: Jacksonville in Art" which will highlight artwork of Jacksonville by Jacksonville. This exhibit, along with the collective painting, will debut the weekend of September 19.

There are few opportunities for more than 100 local artists to work together to create something magical, creative, and beautiful.

08/04/2026

THIS DAY IN JACKSONVILLE HISTORY On August 4, 1924, Elliott State Bank opened in its new building at the southeast corner of East State Street and the square.

Today, the lobby houses the Springfield Beer Company.

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This history note is courtesy of the new book, "Past to Present: Jacksonville at 200" featuring stories, photos, and more from Jacksonville's 200th Anniversary. The book is available at the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce on West Morton, near the Ferris Wheel. Get your copy today!

08/02/2026

Volunteer Spotlight: David Blanchette

David Blanchette is a freelance writer, photographer, and news media relations consultant, and is currently chairman of the board of the Jacksonville Area Museum.

Following an award-winning career in broadcasting, David helped plan and open the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and served as the official state spokesman on Abraham Lincoln and Illinois history for more than 25 years. He ended his state career as a spokesman for the Illinois Governor.

David currently does news media relations consulting for several Illinois-based organizations and is a working freelance journalist whose stories on a variety of topics may be read in newspapers across central Illinois and the Metro East.

David also owns and operates a commercial photography studio in Springfield, focusing on special events, weddings, portraits, and photojournalism.

David is pictured with his wife, Sue, and a furry friend from a recent vacation down under.

Thank you David for your service to the museum!

You can read a full interview about David's work and interest in history at the link below.

http://www.jacksonvilleareamuseum.org/volunteer-spotlight-david-blanchette/

Address

Location: 301 East State Street Mailing Address: PO Box 305
Jacksonville, IL
62650

Opening Hours

Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm
Sunday	1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+12174081197

Website

http://www.jacksonvilleareamuseum.org/

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