Peoria Riverfront Museum

Peoria Riverfront Museum Explore the Peoria Riverfront Museum, the only multidisciplinary museum of its kind in the nation! For more information visit RiverfrontMuseum.org.
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The only multidisciplinary museum of its kind in the nation, Peoria Riverfront Museum uses art, science, history and achievement to inspire confidence, lifelong learning, and talent. Since opening in 2012, the privately funded museum has provided more than 1.2 million experiences through major exhibitions, a permanent collection, interactive galleries, a dome planetarium, giant screen theater, edu

cational programming including curricula-related experiences for all students, and thousands more every week on virtual digital resources. The AAM-accredited, Smithsonian-affiliated nonprofit museum is supported by more than 4,500 members and donors. The private museum is housed in a county-owned LEED Gold-certified building on a campus overlooking the Illinois River.

"The Promise of Liberty" is open now!In celebration of America's 250th anniversary, see some of the most important docum...
06/24/2026

"The Promise of Liberty" is open now!

In celebration of America's 250th anniversary, see some of the most important documents, artworks and objects in American history, including a 1776 printing of The Declaration of Independence.

This broadside would have been seen by the very first Americans, hanging in communal areas like the town square, one of the first steps to becoming the nation we are today.

Plan your visit on our website today: RiverfrontMuseum.org

The Promise of Liberty invites visitors of all ages to explore that daring experiment and its lasting impact. This powerful exhibition looks honestly at America’s aspirations, achievements, contradictions, and unfinished work, inspiring today’s citizens—and tomorrow’s—to imagine a stronger democracy and a more inclusive society.

"The Promise of Liberty" is sponsored by the Gilmore Foundation, Ashley and Josh Bellamy, McKinnon Family Foundation, America 250 Donors, Visionary Society, Friends of History

Today the Peoria Riverfront Museum was proud to welcome the Greater Peoria Honor Flight for a special surprise.Thanks to...
06/23/2026

Today the Peoria Riverfront Museum was proud to welcome the Greater Peoria Honor Flight for a special surprise.

Thanks to dear friends of the Museum, S.J. and Tammy Boyd, the Peoria Riverfront Museum was thrilled to be able to offer every member of the Honor Flight a FREE membership to the museum.

The Greater Peoria Honor Flight represents generations of service men and women, with every generation since those who served in World World II represented.

As we celebrate this special year, America's 250th birthday, we honor those who protected and served our country.

"The Promise of Liberty" is currently on display, with 250 years of American history detailed through some of the most important historic documents, objects and artworks in the nation.

Plan your visit on our website today: RiverfrontMuseum.org

"The Promise of Liberty" is sponsored by the Gilmore Foundation, Ashley and Josh Bellamy, McKinnon Family Foundation, America 250 Donors, Visionary Society, Friends of History

In partnership with Illinois Humanities, the Peoria Riverfront Museum is proud to present a live conversation exploring ...
06/23/2026

In partnership with Illinois Humanities, the Peoria Riverfront Museum is proud to present a live conversation exploring how Illinois communities have shaped – and continue to shape – the American Promise.

Join us for:
"The Prairie State and the Promise of America"
Wednesday, July 8, 2026 from 2 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
See the full schedule of events on our website today: RiverfrontMuseum.org

This will be a FREE DAY at the museum!

Don't miss a celebration of Illinois, and our role in shaping American history on the 250th anniversary of the day that the Declaration of Independence was read to the public for the very first time.

See a panel discussion with speakers from across the Land of Lincoln, a live reading of the Declaration of Independence on the Sun Plaza, and so much more!

This event in partnership with Illinois Humanities
Sponsored by America 250 donors, Visionary Society, Friends of History

Playing this week on the Giant Screen!The Peoria Riverfront Museum's Giant Screen Theater is a film experience like no o...
06/22/2026

Playing this week on the Giant Screen!

The Peoria Riverfront Museum's Giant Screen Theater is a film experience like no other, from our state of the art Dolby surround sound to the largest Film Society screen in the nation.

Get tickets on our website today: PeoriariverfrontGST.org

Join us for a film-filled week with:

"Art of Film: Kajillionaire"
Friday, June 26, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 28, 2026 at 2:30 p.m.

"Wreck-It Ralph"
Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

"Independence Day"
Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

See all upcoming films on our website today: PeoriaRiverfrontGST.org

This weekend only!Join us at the Peoria Riverfront Museum for a thrilling crime film from new "Art of Film" cycle: "Amer...
06/22/2026

This weekend only!

Join us at the Peoria Riverfront Museum for a thrilling crime film from new "Art of Film" cycle: "American Realism," with an introduction from guest curator of film A.S. Hamrah!

Join us for:
Miranda July's 2020 "Kajillionaire"
Friday, June 26, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 28, 2026 at 2:30 p.m.
Get tickets on our website today: PeoriariverfrontGST.org

Join us at the Peoria Riverfront Museum's Giant Screen Theater for the rest of "American Realism," with films screening through July!

See the full schedule of films on our website today: PeoriariverfrontGST.org

Art of Film is generously sponsored by Drs. Jane and Darrell Gumm, Kathy and Harry Puterbaugh, Nancy Snowden, and Film Society

Pop icons are taking the stage at "Laser Light Nights" at the Planetarium - Peoria Riverfront Museum Join us for: "Lase...
06/21/2026

Pop icons are taking the stage at "Laser Light Nights" at the Planetarium - Peoria Riverfront Museum

Join us for:
"Laser Light Nights"
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Get tickets on our website today: RiverfrontMuseum.org

Laser K-Pop Demon Hunters (all music from the movie!) | 6:00 p.m.
Laser N'Sync with Britney | 7:15 p.m.
Laser ABBA | 8:30 p.m.

Sit back, relax and rock out with our new laser light system from "the worldwide leader in planetarium laser light shows," Laser Fantasy! Experience the full 3D excitement! The system features a graphics laser projector with special effects, a haze machine and a new beam projector, plus a fresh playlist of 20+ performances, from Beyoncé to The Beatles! Pick up show-enhancing spectrum glasses and refreshments at concessions.

Planetarium programming is presented by Visionary Society and the Planetarium and Science Club

In celebration of America's 250th birthday, all students get in FREE to the Peoria Riverfront Museum this year! Every st...
06/21/2026

In celebration of America's 250th birthday, all students get in FREE to the Peoria Riverfront Museum this year!

Every student in Illinois ages K-12 will have the opportunity to be a part of the museum's celebration of America 250, with exhibitions of some of the best in American art, history, science and achievement. The centerpiece of these America 250-themed exhibitions being "The Promise of Liberty" guest curated by Ken Burns, which will contain over 100 of the most important documents, artworks and objects that tell the story of America.

Plan your visit on our website today: RiverfrontMuseum.org

Major support for the All-Illinois Student Access program is provided by the Gilmore Foundation, Josh and Ashley Bellamy, an anonymous Chicagoland-based foundation, and America 250 donors.

As we celebrate America's 250th birthday, we celebrate American art, history and invention.The Center for American Decoy...
06/20/2026

As we celebrate America's 250th birthday, we celebrate American art, history and invention.

The Center for American Decoys at Peoria Riverfront Museum tells the story of one of the only indigenous American artforms.

The decoy, which may have begun to suit a purely utilitarian purpose, bringing ducks to the water for hunting, has now taken on a new life as fine art. On display now, see decoys carved and painted for beauty, as well as function.

To learn more about how The Center for American Decoys is keeping this traditional folk art alive, subscribe to our "Center for American Decoys" newsletter here: https://rb.gy/smfjkv

Plan your visit to the Center for American Decoys today: RiverfrontMuseum.org

The Center for American Decoys exhibition cases are sponsored by the Ronald P. Bonati Fund in partnership with the Peoria Tribe Of Indians of Oklahoma.

Masterworks featuring American Folk Art Museum, Thomas K. Figge Collection, and Peoria Riverfront Museum Collection is sponsored by Art Bridges, the Taylor French Decoy Fund, David Vaughan Investments, Ducks Unlimited, the Visionary Society, and the Center for American Decoys Club.

Black American culture is American culture. "Joyful Resistance" is open now!Plan your visit on our website today: Riverf...
06/20/2026

Black American culture is American culture.

"Joyful Resistance" is open now!
Plan your visit on our website today: RiverfrontMuseum.org

The first exhibition of our series celebrating America 250, "Joyful Resistance" shines a light on the myriad forms of Black expression; showcasing the vibrancy, resilience, and multiplicity of artistry within the Black American community.

Sponsored by Art Bridges Foundation, Ron and Carrie Givens and Family, Darlene Violet, Sharlyn Munns, America 250 supporters, Visionary Society, Illinois Arts Council, Friends of Bronzeville to Harlem

As we celebrate Juneteenth today with our community, we reflect on the true meaning of freedom and liberty.In honor of t...
06/19/2026

As we celebrate Juneteenth today with our community, we reflect on the true meaning of freedom and liberty.

In honor of this federal holiday and the important American history behind it, The Promise of Liberty now features a new Juneteenth addition: a rare Houston, Texas, newspaper documenting the arrival of General Order No. 3 in 1865. The order announced that enslaved people in Texas were free and established “an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property” between former enslavers and the enslaved.

While this order ended slavery in the Confederate states, it did not extend to the Union, nor did it guarantee economic independence, political power, safety, land ownership, or equal treatment under the law. These are all rights that Black Americans fought for and continue to fight for in the ongoing work of fulfilling the promise set forth in the Declaration of Independence: that all people are created equal.

See the continuing work of freedom through art and history in the America 250 exhibitions "The Promise of Liberty" and "Joyful Resistance," on display now at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.

Plan your visit today: RiverfrontMuseum.org

Granger’s General Orders No. 3 on display courtesy of Seth Kaller, special advisor to The Promise of Liberty.

Address

222 SW Washington Street
Peoria, IL
61602

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

(309) 686-7000

Website

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