Jacksonville Area Museum

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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.

THIS MONTH IN JACKSONVILLE HISTORY In October 1925, five nightly performances of Jacksonville’s centennial play were he...
10/12/2026

THIS MONTH IN JACKSONVILLE HISTORY In October 1925, five nightly performances of Jacksonville’s centennial play were held at the Greek Theatre on Woodland Place (where Veterans Park was later established).

The image is a view of the amphitheater looking south. The concrete supports of the water tower in the photo are still visible in the park today. The amphitheater is approximately where the tennis courts stand today.
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This history note is courtesy of the book, "Past to Present: Jacksonville at 200" featuring stories, photos, and more from Jacksonville's 200th Anniversary.

Only a few dozens copies of the books remain, so the museum is taking names for those interested in obtaining a copy of the book. Contact the museum today to reserve your copy, and confirm pricing.

If you build it, many will come!One of the most popular winter attractions in Jacksonville turns five years old this yea...
10/11/2026

If you build it, many will come!

One of the most popular winter attractions in Jacksonville turns five years old this year, and plans are to make the event even bigger and better for participants and the public.

The Jacksonville Area Museum is seeking entries for its Fifth Annual “Building with Brick – The Art of LEGO” exhibit that will run from December 2, 2026 through February 28, 2027. This year’s exhibit will be held in a larger, newly-expanded area of the museum to accommodate even more entries, which must be submitted by November 22.

This fifth-annual exhibit features original and LEGO kit creations from all ages. Prizes based on public voting will be awarded in six categories:

- Kit Build for all ages with up to 1,000 pieces
- Kit Build for all ages with 1,000 or more pieces
- Original Build ages 0 to 7,
- Original Build ages 8 – 12
- Original Build ages 13 and up
- 2026-27 Special Category: “Recreation in Jacksonville” for all ages.

The public will be encouraged to vote on their favorite builds, with $100 LEGO gift cards awarded to the top vote-getters.

To submit a build, participants can drop off their creations by Sunday, November 22 during normal visiting hours at the museum: Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.

Only builds submitted by November 22 are eligible for voting. Participants will be asked to fill out a temporary loan agreement. Call (217) 408-1197 with any questions.

THIS DAY IN JACKSONVILLE HISTORY On October 10, 1846, the board of trustees of the Illinois Conference Female Academy h...
10/10/2026

THIS DAY IN JACKSONVILLE HISTORY On October 10, 1846, the board of trustees of the Illinois Conference Female Academy held its first meeting in Jacksonville and elected Peter Cartwright as president of the board and selected a site for the academy on East State Street.

This institution later evolved to become MacMurray College.

The Jacksonville Area Museum has an extensive gallery on the history of MacMurray College, including the saddle bags owned by Peter Cartwright. Come see history in person at the museum!
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This history note is courtesy of the book, "Past to Present: Jacksonville at 200" featuring stories, photos, and more from Jacksonville's 200th Anniversary.

Only a few dozens copies of the books remain, so the museum is taking names for those interested in obtaining a copy of the book. Contact the museum today to reserve your copy, and confirm pricing.

THIS DAY IN JACKSONVILLE HISTORY In October 1995, The two Mobil Chemical Company plants in Jacksonville were sold to Te...
10/09/2026

THIS DAY IN JACKSONVILLE HISTORY In October 1995, The two Mobil Chemical Company plants in Jacksonville were sold to Texas-based Tenneco Inc.

The image is an early photo of the original plant in 1959, from the museum collection.
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This history note is courtesy of the book, "Past to Present: Jacksonville at 200" featuring stories, photos, and more from Jacksonville's 200th Anniversary.

Only a few dozens copies of the books remain, so the museum is taking names for those interested in obtaining a copy of the book. Contact the museum today to reserve your copy, and confirm pricing.

Art by Jacksonville-related creatives, as well as one large collective art piece, is now on display at the Jacksonville ...
10/09/2026

Art by Jacksonville-related creatives, as well as one large collective art piece, is now on display at the Jacksonville Area Museum in a new exhibit entitled “The Geography of Memory: Jacksonville in Art."

The collection includes scenes of our area, as interpreted by artists throughout the community. Topics include buildings, homes, nature, agriculture, and much more.

A highlight is 100 eight-by-eight-inch canvases created by area artists and assembled into one large work. The combined work reveals a larger topic unknown to the artists while creating their work.

These canvases express creativity across many mediums, including acrylic, oils, lego, collage, beading, tissue, fabric, and even food!

Come by the museum to see the results!

“The Geography of Memory: Jacksonville in Art” may be seen at the Jacksonville Area Museum, located at 300 E. State Street. The museum is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.

wwwjacksonvilleareamuseum.org

THIS DAY IN JACKSONVILLE HISTORY On October 7, 1924, Samuel “Sammy” Nichols, who gave the city money to establish Nicho...
10/07/2026

THIS DAY IN JACKSONVILLE HISTORY On October 7, 1924, Samuel “Sammy” Nichols, who gave the city money to establish Nichols Park, was honored by local residents.

Photo is a painting of Nichols Park, currently on view at the Jacksonville Area Museum. The painting is part of an ongoing exhibit 'The Geography of Memory: Art in Jacksonville" featuring art from area artists. The exhibit also includes a large collective painting by 100 area creatives who each contributed 1% of a larger image.
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This history note is courtesy of the book, "Past to Present: Jacksonville at 200" featuring stories, photos, and more from Jacksonville's 200th Anniversary.

Only a few dozens copies of the books remain, so the museum is taking names for those interested in obtaining a copy of the book. Contact the museum today to reserve your copy, and confirm pricing.

Get your LEGOs Ready for Takeoff!One of the most popular winter attractions in Jacksonville turns five years old this ye...
10/07/2026

Get your LEGOs Ready for Takeoff!

One of the most popular winter attractions in Jacksonville turns five years old this year, and plans are to make the event even bigger and better for participants and the public.

The Jacksonville Area Museum is seeking entries for its Fifth Annual “Building with Brick – The Art of LEGO” exhibit that will run from December 2, 2026 through February 28, 2027. This year’s exhibit will be held in a larger, newly-expanded area of the museum to accommodate even more entries, which must be submitted by November 22.

This fifth-annual exhibit features original and LEGO kit creations from all ages. Prizes based on public voting will be awarded in six categories:
- Kit Build for all ages with up to 1,000 pieces
- Kit Build for all ages with 1,000 or more pieces
- Original Build ages 0 to 7,
- Original Build ages 8 – 12
- Original Build ages 13 and up
- 2026-27 Special Category: “Recreation in Jacksonville” for all ages.

The public will be encouraged to vote on their favorite builds, with $100 LEGO gift cards awarded to the top vote-getters.

To submit a build, participants can drop off their creations by Sunday, November 22 during normal visiting hours at the museum: Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.

Only builds submitted by November 22 are eligible for voting. Participants will be asked to fill out a temporary loan agreement. Call (217) 408-1197 with any questions.

THIS DAY IN JACKSONVILLE HISTORY On September 29, 1928, Jacksonville High School dedicated its new athletic field near...
09/29/2026

THIS DAY IN JACKSONVILLE HISTORY On September 29, 1928, Jacksonville High School dedicated its new athletic field near the intersection of North Church and West Walnut streets.

Photo is how the field appeared in 1967, 39 years after its dedication.
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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!

THIS DAY IN JACKSONVILLE HISTORY On September 27, 1858, Abraham Lincoln spoke to a large Republican meeting on the squa...
09/27/2026

THIS DAY IN JACKSONVILLE HISTORY On September 27, 1858, Abraham Lincoln spoke to a large Republican meeting on the square.

Photo is of a mural on South Sandy Street, near the SW corner of the square, that commemorates the event.
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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!

Let's Keep our Party Going... for One More Day! We are extending our birthday party thru Sunday, September 27 from 1-4 p...
09/26/2026

Let's Keep our Party Going... for One More Day!

We are extending our birthday party thru Sunday, September 27 from 1-4 pm!

Thank you to everyone who came to the Jacksonville Area Museum on Saturday to celebrate our 5th year in the Old Post Office in downtown Jacksonville. We had such an overwhelming response from visitors, we are keeping the 'sneak peek' of our ongoing construction open one more day.

Along with birthday cupcakes and snacks, this is your last chance at a peek at the progress on the museum’s new gallery construction that will triple the institution’s exhibit space.

The Jacksonville Area Museum opened on September 25, 2021 and has since welcomed more than 12,000 visitors. The museum uses original artifacts, storytelling exhibits and the building itself to show people of all ages and backgrounds why the Jacksonville community has been ,and continues to be, one of a kind.

The museum is located in the old Post Office building at 301 E. State Street and exhibit galleries currently occupy the old lobby and office areas of the building.

The Jacksonville Area Museum is open Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. There is no admission fee but a donation of $5 is suggested. Much of the museum’s operating budget comes from museum memberships, and members receive advance viewing of new and traveling exhibits, the first chance at admission for ticketed and special events, and members-only programs.

A complete membership application is available at www.jacksonvilleareamuseum.org, click on “donate & support,” and click on the membership form tab.

Join with us in celebrating 5 years in the Old Post Office celebrating local history!

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

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