Rock Island County Historical Society

05/06/2026

This month’s luncheon will focus on the History of the Boy Scouts and Loud Thunder Forest Preserve. This photo is from 1997 published in The Dispatch (Moline).

The luncheon is on Tuesday May 19th at 11:30am at the Riverfront Grille, Rock Island. Cost is $15. Please register by calling RICHS at 309-764-8590. Come, join us, if you can.

04/13/2026

Please stop by the Rock Island County Historical Society to see a display of depression glass. Missy T brought in her collection to share. She and her mother spent years collecting. We are open Monday-Saturday 9am-4pm at 822 11th Ave in Moline. Thank you, Missy!

02/11/2026

The Center for Belgian Culture will be presenting at the next Rock Island County Historical Society Friend’s luncheon. It will be Tuesday February 17th at the Riverfront Grille in Rock Island. Lunch is served at 11:30am with the presentation starting at 12pm. Please call us at 309-764-8590 before Friday February 13th to register. Come join us!

02/04/2026

We have a special visitor today. Been here for over an hour!

01/23/2026

01/14/2026

We are closed today, January 14, 2026. Our furnace is acting up. We are working on repairs.

Call us at 309-764-8590 before you visit us the rest of the week - just in case this takes longer to fix than we hope!

Stay warm!

12/20/2025

We are open today, Saturday 12/20, from 9am-4pm. Then we will be closed for the holidays.

Looking for last minute gift ideas? We have books regarding QC history and annual memberships available.

We wish you a joyous holiday season!

12/10/2025

On Tuesday December 16th, the Rock Island County Historical Society will be presenting RICHS’ Treasure Trove - artifacts from the house museum. Lunch starts at 11:30am at the Riverfront Grille, Rock Island. Cost is $15 per person. Pre-register by calling 309-764-8590 before noon on Friday December 12th. Hope you can join us!

12/05/2025

Please join us this Sunday, Dec. 7th from 12-4pm for our annual Holiday Open House. The library and house museum will be open. Come see treasures collected from the QC area. We will have beverages and cookies for you. Hope to see you Sunday!

10/24/2025

Why do I volunteer at the Rock Island County Historical Society? I always learn something new about our area’s history.

One day I answered the phone. A gentleman from CA wanted to learn more about the Moline Organ Company. As I researched it’s beginnings, I realized Moline and Rock Island had several companies that produced hand-crafted pipe organs for homes and churches throughout the country. I had no idea this area was the major supplier of organs in the late 1800s.

This is a picture of an organ on display in the Atkinson-Peek house museum. Call us at 309-764-8590 to schedule a time to see it.

If you enjoy learning and sharing our history, please consider volunteering with us. Give us a call or stop in at 822 11th Ave, Moline. We have lots of projects!