What are the opening hours?

Thursday 11am - 3pm Friday 11am - 3pm Saturday 11am - 3pm Sunday 11am - 3pm

Will County Historical Museum and Research Center

Name: Will County Historical Museum and Research Center
Address: 803 S State St, Lockport, IL, 60441, US
Telephone: (815) 838-5080
Price range: $

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Will County Historical Museum and Research Center

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The Will County Historical Society exists so that people and organizations may be connected to the rich history of Will County, Illinois.

10/11/2026

Have no fear! We are stuffing out our banquet envelopes and will be sending them out shortly.

Mark your calendars 🗓️ for Sunday, November 8th at 11:00 to be held at the Public Landing!

10/04/2026

The Will County Historical Museum will be closed Sunday, October 4, due to lack of volunteers. Please join us at the Heritage Village from noon to 4. It will be the last time the Village will be open to the public this year.

10/03/2026

The Will County Heritage Village is open both days this weekend from 12:00-4:00. This will be the last weekend of the year it will be open.

09/30/2026

Photo of the Kitchen Belle's from the Herald-News, Joliet, Illinois, Sunday, December 15, 1974, taken from a scrapbook. The caption reads "The Kitchen Belle's, Plainfields only Kitchen Band, above, began its 13th season in September. Since then the group has entertained in Joliet, Mokena and in the Lockport area. The 12 members in the band are Mrs. Irene Locher, master of ceremonies, Mrs. Sandy Consiglie, accompanist, Mrs. Loretta Ferguson, soloist, and Mrs. Dorie Yarmer, Mrs. Dean Altenhoff, Mrs. Marge Hatting, Mrs. Joyce Kinzler, Mrs. Bernei Bostancic, Mrs. Doris Gato, Mrs. Mary Jett, Mrs. Lorrain Lewis and Mrs. Rita Mitchell. The show consists of "old" and "new" songs with many variations of costumes and instruments. Several Christmas numbers have been added for December. The "Belles" will be performing this month for St. Joseph's Auxillary, Providence High School in New Lenox, National Secretaries Associateion and for organizations in Aurora. Anyone wishing to have the group perform may contact Irene Locher, 436-6215, or Mary Jett, 436-9504."

09/23/2026

Photo of A. Allen Francis, born September 7, 1840, the oldest son of Abraham and Mary A.J. Davidson Francis, natives of County Cavan, Ireland and Adams County, Ohio. He married Miss Lizzie J. Haven in New Lenox on September 15, 1870, who was born March 31, 1849.

09/16/2026

Article from September 9, 1964 from a donated scrap book which shows a picture of the old Crystal Stairs Theater, located at the southwestern corner of Chicago and Van Buren streets. The article covers the history of the theater, entertainers that performed, and more interesting facts about the theater.

09/13/2026

The Museum is closed today due to lack of staffing

09/09/2026

Photo of Leon McDonald, who was born November 2, 1860 in the township of New Lenox, IL, Will County. He was the son of J.S. McDonald. He learned the printing and publishing trade in his father's office, serving in all capacities from "printer's devil" to editor. In 1880 he went to work on the reporting staff of the Joliet News. He returned to Lockport in 1884 where he assumed control of the publication of the Lockport Phoenix. For 19 years he was a member of the republican central committee. He held many public offices, including the president of the village council. In 1897 he was appointed general superintendent of the I&M Canal. He was married on September 21, 1898 to Claire Augustana Rudd, the daughter of Charles H. and Esther (Leonard) Rudd. Claire was born on April 26, 1875; was formerly a resident of Oberlin, Ohio and was a graduate of the college in that city. Leon and Claire had one daughter, Louise E. born July 13, 1899.

09/05/2026

We are open this weekend! Come out and see us at both of our locations!

Will County Historical Museum
Saturday: 12:00-4:00
Sunday: 12:00-4:00

Will County Heritage Village Open Air Museum
Saturday: 12:00-4:00
Sunday: Closed

Monday: Both locations are Closed

09/02/2026

Herald-News newspaper clipping from a scrapbook dated Saturday, August 30, 1952. The caption reads, "SHIP TO MEET OTHER HALF - Severed ship slides up the Mississippi river en route to join the rest of itself on the Great Lakes. Federal Barge Lines towboat Tunis tows 515-foot stern section of the Joseph M. Thompson under Memphis bridge. Bow section 215 feet long, was towed by Wake Island past Memphis. Both sections, 72 feet wide, will be joined to make ore boat for Hansard Steamship corporation, Cleveland, O."

Address

803 S State St
Lockport, IL
60441

Opening Hours

Thursday	11am - 3pm
Friday	11am - 3pm
Saturday	11am - 3pm
Sunday	11am - 3pm

Telephone

(815) 838-5080

Website

http://www.willhistory.org/

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