Museums History Illinois
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Fabyan Villa & Japanese Garden
Geneva, Illinois

Botanical Garden, History, Historic House

The Fabyan Villa was the home of Colonel George and Nelle Fabyan from 1905-1939. Riverbank, the name they bestowed upon their property, was initially a country retreat from their home in Chicago. They hired Frank Lloyd Wright in 1907 to enlarge and re-model the existing farmhouse and shortly thereafter took up permanent residence at the Villa, as they called their home. They acquired 300 acres, creating a country estate which soon became a lavish showplace complete with fountains, gardens, a Roman-style swimming pool, a Dutch-style windmill, a private zoo, a working lighthouse, a boathouse, tennis courts, and more. The Fabyans pursued their varied interests on their estate, including horticulture, animal husbandry, and scientific research.

Fairbury Echoes Museum
Fairbury, Illinois

History

Fairbury Echoes Museum was initiated to preserve local history and items of long-ago living. A permanent display of items from area businesses, schools, churches, organizations and people occupies two rooms of the museum. A third room features household and clothing items donated by the museum's original benefactors, Floyd and Marion Stafford. The fourth room is a reading and reference room full of interesting items. A mini-exhibit is on display in the fifth room which changes several times each year.

Field Museum of Natural History
Chicago, Illinois

History, Natural History

First Division Museum
Wheaton, Illinois

History, Library, Military, Specialized

The First Division Museum presents the history of the famed 1st Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, "The Big Red One," within the broader context of modern American military history using contemporary, interactive exhibits. The main exhibit hall covers the division's history beginning in World War I up through its fight in the Gulf War. Visitors can explore a WWI trench and trench barracks while the sounds of exploding shells and diving planes are heard overhead, sit in a landing craft for the invasion of Normandy, WWII, then move out onto Omaha Beach as it looked the day after D-Day, 1944, or walk through the jungles of Vietnam and see a three-screen, panoramic presentation of the Division's Vietnam history.

Flagg Township Historical Society & Museum
Rochelle, Illinois

Archaeology, Art, Culture, General, History, Library, Natural History, Science, Specialized

The Flagg Township Museum has over 20,000 prehistoric and historic artifacts and we are getting more each day. All of our artifacts are unique testaments to life in the Flagg Township area. Some of our most notable artifacts include the Partin-Palmer automobile, the Linotype used to print the first five issues of Playboy, meteorite, uniforms from the Civil and World Wars, prehistoric stone tools, and 18th-20th century women's and men's clothing.

Fort LaMotte Gen. & Hist. Soc.
Palestine, Illinois

History

Fox River Trolley Museum
South Elgin, Illinois

History

Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conserv.
Chicago, Illinois

History

Frankfort Area Historical Museum
West Frankfort, Illinois

History

The museum is located in a renovated three story Logan Grade School. Summary: Shows early Franklin County history, including a mural which follows the area's history from 1802 to 1976.

Franklin County Hist. Pres. Society
Benton, Illinois

History

Fabyan Villa Museum and Japanese Garden
Geneva, Illinois

Arboretum, Art, Botanical Garden, Children's, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Nature Centers, Park

When visiting the Villa Museum, you discover the Fabyans' uniquely fascinating legacy. The Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie-style house contains the Fabyans' private collection of Asian artifacts, natural history specimens, original furniture- just to name a few! The captivating combination of history, architecture, military intrigue, and personal exploration is designed to make the Fabyan Villa Museum a delight for persons of all ages and backgrounds.

Feet First Exhibit: Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
North Chicago, Illinois

Anthropology, General, History, Library, Science, Specialized, University

FEET FIRST: THE SCHOLL STORY, a one-of-a-kind exhibit dedicated to Dr. William Mathias Scholl and to the amazing structures that are our feet. This permanent exhibit is housed at the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University.

Filipino Am. Hist. Soc. of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

History

Flagg Creek Historical Society
LaGrange, Illinois

History, Historical Society

Fort Crevecoeur
Creve Coeur, Illinois

Culture, General, History, Historic House, Library, Park

Fort Massac State Park & Hist. Site
Metropolis, Illinois

Archaeology, History, Military, Park

Frances Willard Historical Asso.
Evanston, Illinois

History

Frankfort Area Hist. Soc. of Will Co.
Frankfort, Illinois

History

Frankfort Area Museum and Genealogy Society
West Frankfort, Illinois

Culture, History, Historical Society, Library

The Genealogy Society has many books and materials for researching in Franklin and surrounding counties. In addition to books they also have funeral home books, some old probate records, old newspapers and city directories for Benton and West Frankfort, a collection of obits, and many family files and family histories.

Franklin Grove Area Historical Soc.
Mount Morris, Illinois

History

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Public Lands Alliance 2025 Convention and Trade Show

February 2 - 6, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

Public Lands Alliance 2025 Convention and Trade Show

Sunday, February 2 - Thursday, February 6, 2025

Westgate Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada

Hosted by: Public Lands Alliance

The Public Lands Alliance Convention and Trade Show brings together nonprofits, land management agencies and companies to learn, network and engage on public lands issues. The 2025 Convention and Trade Show will take place Sunday, February 2 - Thursday, February 6, 2025 in Las Vegas, NV

Connect with peers, explore the latest in public lands products, and return inspired with new strategies and resources for success in conservation and visitor engagement

Our annual Convention and Trade Show (PLA) is the premier gathering for leaders in the public lands sector to network, gain essential tools, and explore products that enhance the visitor experience and support conservation, preservation, and enrichment efforts.

For more information, please call 301-946-9475.

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

February 5 - 7, 2025

Milledgeville, Georgia

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

Wednesday, February 5 - Friday, February 7, 2025

Ina Dillard Russell Library Georgia College & State University

Milledgeville, Georgia

Hosted by: Georgia Association of Museums

The Whole Story Is The Meanin

“For the fiction writer himself the whole story is the meaning, because it is an experience, not an abstraction.”― Flannery O'Connor, Mystery and Manners: Occasional Pros

Join us in Milledgeville, Georgia, for the annual Georgia Association of Museums conference as we explore the profound wisdom of Milledgeville author Flannery O'Connor’s words. In a world where narratives intersect and perspectives diverge, this theme invites proposals that delve into the essence of storytelling within museums and cultural institutions. Our work in the museum field requires us to look at stories from as many angles and perspectives as possible so that we might do our best to tell the “whole story.

Through thought-provoking discussions, interactive workshops, and engaging presentations, we will uncover the layers of meaning embedded within every artifact, exhibition, and historical account. Just as O’Connor masterfully crafted narratives that resonate with universal truths, museums hold the power to illuminate the whole story behind many objects, artworks, and cultural phenomena

We will examine how museums can embrace inclusivity, diversity, and authenticity in their storytelling practices. By acknowledging multiple perspectives and amplifying marginalized voices, we can enrich our understanding of the past and present, fostering empathy and connection within our communities.

Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

February 17 - 19, 2025

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

Monday, February 17 - Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Hosted by: Small Museum Association

The annual SMA conference attracts more than 300 museum professionals, board members, and volunteers from a wide variety of small museums. They attend sessions on topics ranging from collections and education to staffing and board issues.

We offer a large Museum Resource Hall and plenty of informal networking opportunities for you to talk with (and get ideas from!) other small museum professionals and volunteers

Theme for 2025: Make It Happen!!!

Is there an exhibit, program, or fundraiser that you've been talking about doing for years? Do you feel stuck because of procrastination, lack of board support, or insufficient funds? It's time to take action

At SMA 2025, small museum professionals will share their tips and tricks of how they made it happen!

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

February 18 - 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

Tuesday, February 18 - Saturday, February 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

Hosted by: California Association of Museums

CAM is hard at work planning for the 2025 conference, set to take place from February 18–22, 2025 in San Francisco. We look forward to highlighting best practices and innovative ideas from California's museum community

The California Association of Museums is excited to continue offering in-person programming for 2025. We will not be requiring proof of COVID vaccination/s, but highly encourage vaccination and boosters. For the health and safety of our colleagues, masks are also encouraged (but not required). Capacity and spaces will be thoughtfully considered in the planning of this event.

For more information, please email programs@calmuseums.org.

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

March 11 - 14, 2025

Knoxville, Tennessee

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

Tuesday, March 11 - Friday, March 14, 2025

Crowne Plaza hotel in Knoxville, TN

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hosted by: Tennessee Association of Museums

Tennessee museums are full of hope. But how are they turning hope into reality

With the Semiquincentennial quickly approaching in 2026, the state's museum community if approaching a turning point, and is now a great time to take stock and develop a vision for the future

The Tennessee Association of Museums' 64th Annual Conference in Knoxville will challenge the state's museums to think ahead and share their hopes, the best practices and strategies for turning those hoes into realities, and the rewards that come from aspirational thinking

The 2025 TAM Annual Conference will take place at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Knoxville, TN.

For more information, please call 615-495-3354 or email hawkins@aaslh.org.

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