Museums History Illinois
W

Browse Museums

Wabash County Museum
Mount Carmel, Illinois

History

The Wabash County Museum has just moved into expanded quarters in a handicapped accessible building. New features are a research library, children's hands on area (to be developed), a permanent exhibit on Mt. Carmel native, Brace Beemer, radio's longest running and best known Lone Ranger, a timeline of local history illustrated with artifacts, temporary and changing exhibits on various topics. Educational programs are offered on a regular basis. Mt. Carmel was known as the "Little City of Great Music" and a exhibit is devoted to music. Its centerpieces are a square grand piano and a Meissner radio produced in Mt. Carmel. An oversize dollhouse with original furnishings from the 1930's was built like the home of its owner.

Warren County History Museum
Monmouth, Illinois

Culture, History, Historic House, Historical Society

The Warren County History Museum focuses on the extensive history of Warren County Illinois since it's inception in 1825. We feature exhibits that examine the agricultural, industrial, educational, and military history of the county and its residents.

Warrenville Historical Museum
Warrenville, Illinois

Art, Children's, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Military, Specialized

The purpose of the Warrenville Historical Society is to bring together those interested in Warrenville's history, and to collect, preserve and display objects and documents that illustrate that history. The Historical Society is a self-supporting not-for-profit organization.The Warrenville Historical Society was organized in 1980 and the Society opened the Warrenville Historical Museum in 1984. Space was provided for the Museum in one room of the Greek Revival Style Albright Building through the generosity of the City of Warrenville, interest groups, businesses and individuals. The museum now encompasses the entire building.

Washington Historical Society
Washington, Illinois

History, Historical Society

Watseka Union Depot
Watseka, Illinois

History

Weld House
Nauvoo, Illinois

Art, Culture, History

Westchester Historical Society
Westchester, Illinois

History, Historical Society

Wheels O' Time Museum
Dunlap, Illinois

Culture, History, Library

The Museum is available to host any size group, from six to 130 or more. Groups of twenty or more receive a discount on admission costs.

Whiteside County Genealogists Society
Sterling, Illinois

Cemetery, History

Will County Historical Museum and Research Center
Lockport, Illinois

Culture, History, Historic House, Historical Society

In 1837, the town of Lockport was laid out by the Illinois and Michigan Canal commissioners, and an office was constructed and became headquarters for administrative of the waterway. The office played a central role in the design, financing, and construction of the I & M Canal, which connected the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico. The canal extended ninety-six miles from the south branch of the Chicago River near Lake Michigan to the Illinois River at LaSalle-Peru, and was in operation from 1848 to 1914.

Warren County Genealogical Society
Monmouth, Illinois

History

Warren Tavern Preservationists
Warrenville, Illinois

History

Warsaw Historical Society and Museum
Warsaw, Illinois

History, Historical Society

Washington Township Museum
Beecher, Illinois

History

Wayne County Historical Society
Fairfield, Illinois

History, Historical Society, Park

West Chicago City Museum
West Chicago, Illinois

Art, Culture, General, History, Library

The West Chicago City Museum is a dynamic history and art center that inspires and involves the community through research, programs and exhibits.

Western Illinois Museum
Macomb, Illinois

General, History

· represents the history of West Central Illinois with a collection of over 6,000 artifacts
· mounts 3 to 4 quality exhibitions a year
· receives over 2,600 visitors yearly
· has 50 active volunteers
· has the support of 125 members
· receives pledges from more than 20 individuals and businesses
· plans to develop a space for the museum’s permanent collection
· conveniently located in downtown Macomb

White County Historical Society
Carmi, Illinois

Cemetery, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Library, Specialized

General membership meetings are held in the spring and fall, with the latter featuring the annual Heritage House Award presentation. The background of this page is the Heritage House Plaque, and I have added a listing of all 32 houses honored since 1971, called heritagehouses.html.

Will County Historical Museum and Research Center
Lockport, Illinois

General, History, Historic House, Historical Society

The Will County Historical Museum and Research Center allows public access to information and research on the history of Will County and the Illinois & Michigan Canal. We welcome anyone to visit and explore our museum, exhibits, and archives.

William Jennings Bryan Museum
Salem, 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.

view all conferences
RECENT UPDATES

Museums

12/20 Loxahatchee River Historical Society

Jupiter, Florida

12/20 Museum of Science & History

Jacksonville, Florida

12/20 Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center

Naples, Florida

12/20 Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum

Boca Raton, Florida

12/20 HistoryMiami

Miami, Florida

Museum Vendors

11/19 Digiscura

Encino, California

Museum Associations

12/20 Florida Association of Museums

Tallahassee, Florida

12/18 Museum Store Association

Washington, District of Columbia

12/17 Nebraska Museums Association

Lincoln, Nebraska