Silkwood Inn Museum

Silkwood Inn Museum The Inn is normally open the first Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. However, due The inn was built in 1827.

It is the only remaining original structure along the Old Shawneetown-Kaskaskia Trail that connected communities in Southern Illinois during the early 1800s. Also known as the Silkwood Tavern, the inn was a popular stop along one stagecoach line. It was built by Brazilla (Basil) Silkwood, who had come to Illinois from Pennsylvania. Both Silkwood and the inn are at the heart of a famous local legen

d that is based in fact. While visiting a plantation in Georgia in the 1830s, Silkwood became acquainted with several slaves. Among them was a young girl named Priscilla. When the owner of the plantation died, the slaves were sold and Priscilla was bought by a Cherokee chief and taken to live on a reservation. When the Indians were moved from the reservation in 1838 along the Trail of Tears, they passed through Southern Illinois on their way to the Indian Territory. Once again, Silkwood's path intertwined with Priscilla's. Silkwood was in Jonesboro for a business trip when the Indians moved through the area. He recognized Priscilla, and bought her for $1,000 in gold. Priscilla was taken to the inn, where she was accepted as a member of the family. She died in 1892 and was buried beside the Silkwoods in the Reid-Kirkpatrick Cemetery, about two miles northwest of the inn.

08/01/2026

The Inn Museum will be closed on Saturday, Aug. 1st. Our apologies for any inconveniences.

Hey all our crafting friends, we need a new "Open" and "Closed" sign. This old plastic one is falling apart via cracks a...
06/06/2026

Hey all our crafting friends, we need a new "Open" and "Closed" sign. This old plastic one is falling apart via cracks and the plastic being old. We would like something a little more primitive in style. If you have any ideas or are able to make us a sign we would appreciate it. If you have questions, message us or contact Cindy at 618.218.8325. Thank you in advance.

06/06/2026

We are needing some work done here at the Inn and struggling to be able to find licensed, reliable, individuals or a local contractor to stop by and look things over for us. We have a list from small tasks to larger tasks that need to be done.

Here's a list of some of what needs done:
* Porch railings need some repairs (bottom& top)
* Some of the porch boards on the front top need repairs and/or replacing
* Need bids on cleaning the Inn. She needs either pressure washed or some scraping to clean her up in prep for a re-staining
* Need two small gates placed on the porches (front and back) to try and detour animals from coming up and doing their little duties on the porches

There are other things to be done, but these are on our priority list. If you can help us out or know someone that can, please message us or call our Public Information Officer Volunteer, Cindy at 618.218.8325. Thank you in advance for your help, we appreciate you and your support.

Good Morning!! The Inn Museum is Open today (06/06) until 2:00 pm. Running a bit late with posting, our apologies. The H...
06/06/2026

Good Morning!! The Inn Museum is Open today (06/06) until 2:00 pm. Running a bit late with posting, our apologies. The Hollyhocks out front look beautiful!! We need to do some weeding, but they look so pretty. Our Hollyhock garden our 4-H kids made has a few starters starting to peak through, not as many as we would have liked, but they are trying. Time to finish doing some cleaning, if you're in the area, stop in and see us. We'd love to give you a tour, or you can browse the Inn on your own, she isn't that big, but there's lots to see! Take care and enjoy your day (and weekend).

03/23/2026

Due to scheduling conflicts, we will be having our monthly meeting for the Historical District and Inn Museum this evening (3/23) at 7:00. We will NOT be meeting next week (3/30). We do apologize for the late notice. All board members are requested to attend, members are urged to attend and the public is welcome to attend.

Agenda items include . . .

* The upcoming dedication ceremony for the Liberty Tree planted by the Sons of the American Revolution. Dedication will be held on Saturday, April 18th
* April Third Saturday meal fundraiser of Chicken & Dumplings to be held on Saturday, April 18th
* Rib ticket sales for our Annual Memorial Day BBQ in May (to be held on Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24th)

Mark your calendars for our Fall Craft & Vendor Fair on Saturday, September, 26th and our Winter (Holiday) Craft & Vendor Fair on Saturday, November 21st.

TOMORROW is the 13th Annual Spring Flea Market & Vendor Fair!! Hope you are all able to come out and support the event!!
03/06/2026

TOMORROW is the 13th Annual Spring Flea Market & Vendor Fair!! Hope you are all able to come out and support the event!!

02/18/2026

Wanted to "pop in" and ask a question . . . What are some of the sayings that your grandparents or parents used to say that you don't hear much of today? Such as "butter my buns and call me a biscuit" or "I've not seen you in a month of Sundays".

Here at the Silkwood Inn Museum we hear all sorts of stories from our visitors regarding family, family sayings/doings and we enjoy hearing them. So, we thought we'd just ask our followers to comment with some sayings of days gone by. We appreciate your participation.

**We do ask that you keep it rated PG đŸ˜‰ . . .

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Address

7570 Mulkeytown Road
Mulkeytown, IL
62865

Telephone

(618) 724-2445

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