The Center for American Decoys at Peoria Riverfront Museum

Name: The Center for American Decoys at Peoria Riverfront Museum
Address: 222 SW Washington Street, Peoria, IL, 61602, US
Telephone: +13096867000

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The Center for American Decoys at Peoria Riverfront Museum

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from The Center for American Decoys at Peoria Riverfront Museum, 222 SW Washington Street, Peoria, IL.

The Center for American Decoys is dedicated to preserving the traditions of American waterfowl history through the art of the decoy, focusing on the Illinois River Valley.

07/10/2026

This past Saturday, July 4th, the United States of America celebrated its 250th birthday! For this momentous occasion the Peoria Riverfront Museum threw its annual Backyard BBQ and made sure to pull out all of the stops!

We festive food, drinks, shows, vendors, and visitors exploring all of our exhibits, including the Center for American Decoys! To top it all off we had perfect seating for the fireworks display to make sure that America 250 with the Peoria Riverfront Museum was one to remember!

For more information, subscribe to our free E-newsletter on our website today: https://www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org/plan-your-visit/newsletter-sign-up

07/03/2026

On Saturday, June 27th, we were fortunate to attend the “Conservation for a Continent Capstone Gala” hosted by Ducks Unlimited at the Glen View Club in Golf, IL.

This event was held in celebration of DU’s successful fundraising campaign and the Peoria Riverfront Museum was asked to send a delegation and bring a decoy. Zac Zetterberg, John Morris, and Eli Sadler attended the event and took our prized Schoenhieder Goose to share with the attendees.

It was an honor to be invited to such an amazing event and to have the opportunity to promote our wonderful institution. Special thanks to Ducks Unlimited and everyone responsible for making this event happen!

Final Image: Ducks Unlimited 48th President Dr. Rex Schulz

For more information, subscribe to our free E-newsletter on our website today: https://www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org/join-support/newsletter-sign-up

06/26/2026

We are excited to share that the Peoria Riverfront Museum and the Center for American Decoys will be featured in the July/August Issue of The Magazine Antiques!

This issue’s guest editor and CEO of the American Folk Art Museum, Jason T. Busch (image 2), graciously invited our very own Zac Zetterberg to contribute to the magazine. Zac’s article gives a succinct, but thorough glimpse into the history of decoys and their significance as a form of American folk art.

Jason is a valued friend of the Peoria Riverfront Museum and we are truly honored that he chose to include us in this commemorative America 250 issue!

For more information, subscribe to our free E-newsletter on our website today: https://www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org/plan-your-visit/newsletter-sign-up

06/19/2026

Last week the Peoria Riverfront Museum was honored to welcome one of America’s most influential founding fathers and foremost intellectuals, Benjamin Franklin, as part of our Museum Conversations series.

Franklin was brought to life by Mitchell Kramer, a world renowned historical interpreter, who had a very insightful conversation with Seth Kaller, special advisor to The Promise of Liberty. This discussion, set within the context of the exhibit, explored Franklin’s experience as a scientist, inventor, statesman, and philosopher.

It was a pleasure to welcome Benjamin Franklin to the Peoria Riverfront Museum! A special thank you to Seth Kaller for leading such an enlightening conversation.

For more information, subscribe to our free E-newsletter on our website today: https://www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org/join-support/join-renew-membership

06/12/2026

We are excited to announce that the Center for American Decoys has received a phenomenal gift of decoys from the collection of Anne and David Vaughan!

David Vaughan began this collection in the 1960s and was joined by his wife in 1975 who helped expand and refine this remarkable decoy collection.

Many thanks to David and Anne’s daughter, Julia Rodgers, who helped facilitate this amazing gift. We are truly honored to be stewards of Vaughan Collection!

Photo 1: Anne and David Vaughan on the night they received an award for their philanthropy from Easter Seals

Photo 2: Anne Vaughan admires her Bernard Van Norman pintails, on display in our 2019 Exhibition American Decoy: The Invention

Photo 3: Julia Rodgers at the opening of The Autumns in My Life: The Work of Bernard Van Norman.

For more information, subscribe to our free E-newsletter on our website today: https://www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org/plan-your-visit/newsletter-sign-up

06/05/2026

We are excited to announce that WTVP will be airing a special program as part of their June 2026 Membership Drive Specials series. Tune in to watch The Art of Deception, with a guest appearance by our very own Zac Zetterberg!

This program will be aired on Channel 47.1 WTVP HD at the following dates and times:

Thurs, June 11th, 2026 7:45p CDT
Fri, June 12th, 2026 8:00p CDT
Sun, June 14th, 2026 4:30p CDT

For more information, subscribe to our free E-newsletter on our website today: https://www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org/join-support/join-renew-membership

06/04/2026

The 16th President of the United States paid a very special visit to our Center for American Decoys!

We were honored to welcome Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by the renowned Fritz Klein, the most sought after impersonator in the country who has brought the iconic leader to life for more than 40 years!

Lincoln was joined by Bon French, a longtime friend of the museum and generous supporter of the Center. Thank you to both Fritz and Bon for such a memorable visit!

05/29/2026

Decoy Spotlight!

Come see this rare “Humpback” pintail drake (ca. 1925) created by brothers, Stephen “Steve” Ward (1895-1976) and Lemuel “Lem” Ward (1896-1984), part of a 50 decoy loan from the American Folk Art Museum!

Did you know that Lem Ward was born with a malformed, dominant left hand, but taught himself to paint with his right? A true testament of his dedication to the craft!

For more information, subscribe to our free E-newsletter on our website today: https://www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org/plan-your-visit/newsletter-sign-up

05/22/2026

On May 14th, the Peoria Riverfront Museum was honored to host the CEO of Alice Walton’s Art Bridges Foundation, Anne Kraybill.

In partnership with the Art Bridges Foundation, the PRM has engaged in over 25 projects, including 12 exhibitions and a spectacular loan of 50 decoys from the American Folk Art Museum!

We are thrilled to have had Anne Kraybill visit the PRM and our very own Center for American Decoys. We look forward to our continued partnership with Art Bridges and the many future projects with this phenomenal foundation!

For more information, subscribe to our free E-newsletter on our website today: https://www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org/join-support/newsletter-sign-up?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23445210620&gbraid=0AAAAApncGL_Y-sjHqQsEvSTes3KTC3GWm&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_b_QBhCSARIsAP6hR4ebWprdiLM364QfezOoPrKWZ-UpElK2xv7nkfaXRvR49Ygf0ZHEAfAaAn7YEALw_wcB.

05/15/2026

A new bird has landed in our Center for American Decoys!

One of Charles Walker's earliest decoys, a Pintail Drake (ca. 1900), has joined two more of his works on view in the Center for American Decoys.

Left: Pintail Drake (ca. 1900)
Center: Pintail Silhouette (ca. 1925)
Right: Pintail Drake (ca. 1920), from the Skinner Rig

Plan a visit to see this beautiful trio on display!

For more information, subscribe to our free E-newsletter on our website today: https://www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org/plan-your-visit/newsletter-sign-up

Address

222 SW Washington Street
Peoria, IL
61602

Telephone

+13096867000

Website

http://www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org/exhibits-collections/the-center-for-american-decoys

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