Updated: 3/6/2018 
Christian County Historical Society & Museum
Taylorville, Illinois
Description

Come tour Christian County’s first courthouse where Abraham Lincoln walked and where he argued cases with Stephen A. Douglas, walk through the Woodall Building which includes the jail and showcases military memorabilia including uniforms, weapons, a Civil War diary and other artifacts. Tour the Log House built in the 1830’s, the Bee Castle which is thought to be the only one of its kind in the state of Illinois, the Buckeye School which served as a schoolhouse from 1866-1948, the Depot which was originally located in Buckhart Towhship and the Morrison House. Each building is full of interesting artifacts from around Christian County.

Snapchat: CCHistorySocIL

Instagram: @ChristianCoHistoricalSociety

Mission

The Christian County Historical Society and Museum’s Mission is to preserve, interpret and share the rich and varied heritage of Christian County. We have a strong volunteer base that loves history and is willing to share their knowledge and experiences.

Artifact Collections

Military, furniture pieces, glassware, clothing, photographs, artifacts and much more.

Research Collections

Genealogical records, photographs, microfilm, old newspapers, birth/death/marriage records from the Christian County area and much more.

Programs

Speakers, docent programs, guided tours, children's events. The Christian County Historical Society & Museum is a proud partner in the 42-county Looking for Lincoln Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area. For more info, go to lookingforlincoln.com. We have the official National Park Service Passport Stamp and official NPS Passport books for sale ($10) and Kids Passports ($7).

Facilities

First Christian County Courthouse is on our grounds and open for tours. It was constructed in 1839 and erected by H.M Vandeveer. Walk where our 16th president walked. Abraham Lincoln had a law office upstairs and also tried cases inside this courthouse during his time riding on the 8th Judicial Circuit.

James Canty Morrison Home sets exactly where it was built in 1854-1855 and is finished in period pieces from Christian County locals. Landi Branham Voigt donated two bedrooms of furniture that belonged to her aunt, Eugenia Vandeveer Vollentine. Each of the bedrooms upstairs is furnished with period furnishings. The furnishings in the Waddle Room were all donated by the family. One bedroom is furnished as a children’s bedroom with dolls and toys.

The Bee Castle was built by Mr. Morrison as an original out building on the farm and was moved to its current location. (there are NO live bees hives on the property). This is known as the only Bee Castle in the state and possibly the Midwest.

The Buckeye Prairie Schoolhouse was built in 1856 on Buckeye Prairie, a small community twelve miles south of Taylorville. The school served continuously until 1948, when the district was consolidated with Taylorville Community Unit School District #3. It is finished like an old schoolhouse.

1820 Log House, this is the oldest building on the property and is furnished in period pieces. It is actually a Log House and not a Log Cabin because it has a second floor

Owaneco Depot is full of railroad memorabilia from the area.

The Woodall building upstairs showcases military memorabilia including uniforms and firearms, a Civil War Diary, and other artifacts. Also, the mantel from the home of Thomas Long, the first mayor Taylorville, along with Victorian furniture, clothing and a working Wurlitzer Reginaphone from the same period. The basement holds three jail cells from the women and children’s section of the old Christian County Jail, an arrowhead collection, antique hand tools and farming equipment, and a display of mining memorabilia.

The Pence Building houses the main office, the Christian County Genealogical Society office and library. There is also a full kitchen, restroom, several historical furniture pieces from local families, photo gallery, tables and chairs and small quarterly exhibits.

Auditoriums
Lecture Halls
Performance Areas
Library

Access: General Public, Students, Scholars, Members

Appointment required: False

Services

There is a gift shop in the Pence Building and we offer catered meals for meetings.

Gift Shop
Restaurant
Group Tours
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Beginning in 2025, the OMA annual conference will be held in Spring rather than Fall

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