Frankfort Area Historical Museum

08/04/2026

Good morning WF and area residents on this lovely August morning. Tomorrow is Pasta Day in the Red Geranium Tea Room. The menu for Wednesday, August 5, 2026 will be your choice: lasagna, putanesca, chicken fettuccini Alfredo with green beans, spinach salad or Jell-O. Lunch is served from 11 to 1. The Genealogy Library will be open from 9 to 3. Join us for food and fellowship. We will be glad to see and serve you. Thank you for supporting our local museum.

Send a message to learn more

07/29/2026

Community Contribution Presented to the Historical Museum.

Leigh Caldwell presents a check to President Mary Ellen Maragni and board members Daryl McCoy and Sylvia Tharp for the Frankfort Historical Museum. The donation came from proceeds raised during the ice cream event held at the Aquatic Center as part of the city’s celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States.

07/29/2026

Planning the Southern Illinois Coal Heritage Trail.

The Southern Illinois Coal Quadrangle Heritage Trail committee met for lunch and a planning meeting at the Frankfort Historical Museum in West Frankfort. The proposed trail will include the towns of Sesser, Valier, Christopher, Mulkeytown, Zeigler, Royalton, Culp, Herrin, Carterville, Marion. West Frankfort, and Benton.
Members attending, left to right:

Sylvia Tharp, Historical Museum; Marsha Raubach, President of Old King Coal; Dr. Helaine Silverman, University of Illinois; Rep. Nick Molt, Representative for Patrick Lindhorst; Leigh Caldwell, Secretary of Old King Coal; Matt Donkin, Superintendent of Schools; James Ashmore, Mayor of Sesser; and John Smith. 2025 Old King Coal.

07/22/2026

Class of 1960
Members of the FCH class of 1960 met today for lunch and fellowship.

Seated from left to right: Tim Weaver, Brenda Watson Weaver, Linda Scott Williams, Brenda Stacy Whittington, Sharon Hopkins Chambers.

Standing: A.J. Farkas, Helen Farkas, Rosemary Ice Westray, Marilyn Litsch Arnett, Judy Batts Biggs,

07/21/2026

Good afternoon WF and area residents on this very, hot, humid July afternoon. This is the kind of weather we can expect near the end of July in southern Illinois. The menu in the Red Geranium Tea Room in the Frankfort Historical Museum for Wednesday, July 22, 2026 is: baked pork chop with apples, broccoli/rice casserole, corn-on-the cob, tailgate salad or Jell-O. (We are not serving lettuce until this "bacteria" thing is cleared.} Desserts are: coconut, pecan, lemon, strawberry cream, millionaire pies, cheesecake with cherry topping, and pistachio cake. Lunch is served from 11 to 1. The Genealogy Library is open from 9 to 3. Join us for food and fellowship. We will be happy to see you and serve you. Thank you for supporting your local museum.

Send a message to learn more

07/15/2026

94TH BIRTHDAY
Ruby Herron celebrates her 94th birthday at the museum with a group of friends. Lots of laughs, conversation and a special cake.

07/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DS58SU18Q/

07/01/2026

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA

Happy 250th birthday America from the Frankfort Historical Museum. Thanks be to God for all the freedoms we enjoy.

06/25/2026

FES ANNUAL REUNION

FES Retired teachers and staff members met for their annual reunion at the Frankfort Historical Museum today, 6/24/26. Bob Maragni entertained the group with a presentation of the differences of men and women’s shopping habits.

06/17/2026

DONATION TO FRANKFORT HISTORICAL MUSEUM.

Marsha Rauback, chairman of the Old King Cole Festival, presented a donation to Mary Ellen Maragni and Sylvia Tharp, representatives of the Frankfort Historical Museum today at the museum. Proceeds from the 5K walk or run marathon event of the Old King Coal Festival are donated for use in the Coal Miner's Room in the museum. Theresa Renik is the organizer of the 5K marathon and could not be present for the presentation. Visit the Coal Miner's room in the museum which pays honor to all coal miners and our proud heritage to coal mining.