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.

New this year!The Peoria Riverfront Museum is proud to introduce two new featured speakers in our celebration of all thi...
06/02/2026

New this year!

The Peoria Riverfront Museum is proud to introduce two new featured speakers in our celebration of all things Disney: "American Animation: Art on Screen."

Marcy Carriker Smothers and the Walt Disney Hometown Museum of Marceline, MO will both be joining us to celebrate everything Walt Disney, alongside dear friend of the museum and Disney historian J.B. Kaufman.

See the full schedule of Disney-themed programming on our website today: https://shorturl.at/tus9B

Marcy Carriker Smothers is a foodie, a lover of all things Disney, and an author of several books on the happiest place on earth, including "Eat Like Walt: The Wonderful World of Disney Food" and "Walt's Disneyland: A Walk in the Park with Walt Disney."

The Walt Disney Hometown Museum was established in 2001 to help celebrate the 100th Birthday of Marceline’s favorite son, Walter Elias Disney. The original museum was built on the personal collection of Ruth Disney Beecher, Walt’s sister. Ruth maintained a close relationship with her brothers Walt and Roy, and knew the admiration they all shared toward their hometown.

"American Animation: Art on Screen" is sponsored by Visionary Society, Friends of Art, and Illinois Arts Council

This week, see your favorite classic Disney movies on the GIANT screen!"American Animation: Art on Screen" celebrates ev...
06/01/2026

This week, see your favorite classic Disney movies on the GIANT screen!

"American Animation: Art on Screen" celebrates everything Disney, with special introductions from Disney historians, shorts before every film, and so much more.

Get tickets on our website today: PeoriariverfrontGST.org

Join us for your favorite Disney films:

"Walt: The Man Behind the Myth"
Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.

"Fantasia (1940)"
Friday, June 5, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 2:30 p.m.

"The Jungle Book (1967)"
Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 10 a.m.

"Snow White (1937)"
Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 12:30 p.m.

"Mary Poppins (1964)"
Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.

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

This weekend only, the magic is back at the museum, with Disney classic films on the GIANT screen!Join us for:"American ...
06/01/2026

This weekend only, the magic is back at the museum, with Disney classic films on the GIANT screen!

Join us for:
"American Animation: Art on Screen"
Thursday, June 4, 2026 - Sunday, June 7, 2026
See the full schedule of events on our website today: https://shorturl.at/tus9B

The Peoria Riverfront Museum will welcome back Disney historian and author J.B. Kaufman, as well as new guests Marcy Carricker Smothers and the incredible staff of the Walt Disney Hometown Museum to introduce films, sign books, and share their wealth of Disney knowledge.

With classic Disney favorites like "Fantasia," "Snow White," "Mary Poppins" and more on the Giant Screen, this is a weekend you won't want to miss!

Plan your visit on our website today: Riverfrontmuseum.org

"American Animation: Art on Screen" is sponsored by Visionary Society, Friends of Art, and Illinois Arts Council

Play giant versions of your favorite games in "TOYTOPIA," open now at the Peoria Riverfront Museum!Get ready to play, w...
05/31/2026

Play giant versions of your favorite games in "TOYTOPIA," open now at the Peoria Riverfront Museum!

Get ready to play, with 5,000 square feet of interactive fun in this hands-on exhibition that's perfect for the whole family.

Plan your next visit on our website today: RiverfrontMuseum.org

"TOYTOPIA" is the latest in the Peoria Riverfront Museum's series of exhibitions celebrating America 250, with nearly all American toys that every generation will remember as part of their childhood.

"TOYTOPIA" is sponsored by PNC, Ruby K. Warner Charitable Trust, OSF Healthcare Children's Hospital of Illinois, America 250 donors, Visionary Society, Family Fun Club

Join us for a special "Access for All" FREE day in partnership with OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois and OSF STEAM at...
05/31/2026

Join us for a special "Access for All" FREE day in partnership with OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois and OSF STEAM at the Peoria Riverfront Museum!

"Access for All: Inclusion Plays in Peoria"
Sunday, June 14, 2026 from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
See the full schedule of events on our website today: Riverfrontmuseum.org

This Access for All day at the Peoria Riverfront Museum, enjoy make and take art activities, planetarium shows, films, guided tours, and so much more. We're partnering with OSF Children's HealthCare Children's Hospital of Illinois and OSF Steam to bring an autism resource fair, fun activities for the whole family and more to our community, completely free of charge.

Generous support for "Access for All" days provided by Art Bridges Foundation
Access for All program.

In conjunction with current exhibition "The Promise of Liberty," the Peoria Riverfront Museum is thrilled to welcome Dr....
05/30/2026

In conjunction with current exhibition "The Promise of Liberty," the Peoria Riverfront Museum is thrilled to welcome Dr. Christopher Brown, a professor at Columbia University, NY, and a historian that has been featured in Ken Burns' newest documentary The American Revolution.

Join us for:
"Museum Conversations: The Problem of Slavery in the Age of Revolutions" with Dr. Christopher Brown
Thursday, June 25, 2026 | Doors open at 5:30 p.m. | Conversation begins at 6 p.m. | Reception at 7:30 p.m.
Get tickets on our website today: RiverfrontMuseum.org

In this special Museum Conversation at the Peoria Riverfront Museum, Christopher Brown places the American paradox in international context, suggesting along the way what made the American experience distinct and how the institution of slavery became, for the first time during the era of the American Revolution, the subject of political conflict.

"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

One of the founding fathers is coming to Peoria!Join us for a special evening with Benjamin Franklin, as embodied by wor...
05/30/2026

One of the founding fathers is coming to Peoria!

Join us for a special evening with Benjamin Franklin, as embodied by world premier American political re-enactor Mitchell Kramer, and special advisor to "The Promise of Liberty" Seth Kaller.

Join us for:
"Museum Conversations: An Evening with Benjamin Franklin"
Friday, June 12, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
Get tickets on our website today: RiverfrontMuseum.org

Within the context of the Peoria Riverfront Museum's celebration of America 250, and our standout exhibition of American history "The Promise of Liberty," learn about America's early days through the eyes of Benjamin Franklin; a scientist, inventor, statesman and political philosopher.

Sponsored by America 250 donors, Visionary Society, Friends of History

See Peoria Pops Orchestra in their first concert of the summer and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of th...
05/29/2026

See Peoria Pops Orchestra in their first concert of the summer and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence at the Peoria Riverfront Museum!

Join us for a MUSEUM+ program:
"Peoria Pops on the Plaza: Patriotic Tunes"
Thursday, June 11, 2026 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Get tickets on our website today: RiverfrontMuseum.org

This full symphony orchestra will be playing true-blue American music against the beautiful riverfront setting, accompanied by special guest Benjamin Franklin, as embodied by premier American political reenactor Mitchell Kramer. Franklin was part of the 'Committee of Five,' a special group appointed to draft the Declaration of Independence.

See a 1776 broadside of the Declaration of Independence, the same that our ancestors would have seen in the earliest days of our nation on exhibition in "The Promise of Liberty."

Sponsored by Linda Beth and Ed Sutkowski, America 250 donors, Visionary Society, Friends of Performance

Peoria is the place for philanthropy!In honor of America 250, we're shining a light on some of the amazing people and or...
05/29/2026

Peoria is the place for philanthropy!

In honor of America 250, we're shining a light on some of the amazing people and organizations who make what we do possible.

This week, we're thankful for RLI Insurance.

Their steadfast support of the Peoria Riverfront Museum's flagship program the Every Student Initiative has allowed over 18,000 central Illinois students to visit the museum free of charge, experiencing some of the most important American historical documents in our history in "Promise of Liberty" as we celebrate America 250 this year.

Their support has also extended to upcoming America 250 exhibition "We Remember: Stories from the 9/11 Memorial and Museum." This exhibition will be one of the most important historical exhibitions to ever come to Peoria, and marks the first time that the 9/11 Memorial and Museum has ever collaborated with another museum.

We are so thankful for all those who give back to this community and make it possible for us to give Peoria a museum experience unlike any other.

Peoria, you got your boogie on!Tonight the Peoria Riverfront Museum hosted a completely SOLD OUT "Rhumboogie on the Plaz...
05/29/2026

Peoria, you got your boogie on!

Tonight the Peoria Riverfront Museum hosted a completely SOLD OUT "Rhumboogie on the Plaza" show. With the LowDown Brass Band bringing the house down in an energetic performance that had us all on our feet, we can't think of a better start to the summer.

"Rhumboogie on the Plaza" will continue with a closing performance in October, featuring renaissance man Preston Jackson and a group of some of the most talented performers in Peoria.

Get your tickets on our website today: RiverfrontMuseum.org

Sponsored by Linda Beth and Ed Sutkowski, Visionary Society, Friends of Bronzeville to Harlem and Friends of Performance See less

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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