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See an 1820s log house, the 1839 Christian County courthouse where Lincoln argued cases, an 1854 farmhouse and an 1856 one-room school.

The Hayner Public Library District provides a variety of genealogy-related services to support research efforts. Information from various states in addition to Illinois and other countries is available. The digitized newspaper collection is a wonderful resource for genealogy research. The lobby of the Hayner Genealogy and Local History Library contains an original piece of the printing press which was broken and thrown into the Mississippi River by an angry mob who destroyed the press and murdered Elijah P. Lovejoy in November, 1837. The yoke, which served as a framework for the press, is black metal and weighs half a ton. Lovejoy published newspapers in St. Louis and Alton that advocated the abolition of slavery.

We keep local history alive, and we’re proud to be a destination for scholars, history buffs and tourists alike. 

Whether you’re interested in the city’s early settlers and its founding father John Wood, fascinated by the area’s ties to President Abraham Lincoln, looking for a glimpse of what life was like in the 19th century or wanting to research your genealogy - - the Historical Society is here to help you.

With two iconic locations – the Governor John Wood Mansion and related structures at 12th and State and the History Museum on the Square at 4th and Maine– the Historical Society has a treasure trove of local records and artifacts.

We are committed to the ongoing collection and preservation of items related to our history, and we provide educational programs, exhibits, and tours that help make that history come to life.

Preserving the heritage of the Illinois National Guard, the museum is committed to collecting, preserving, interpreting, and exhibiting the military artifacts associated with the citizen-soldier of Illinois. The exhibit includes rare items such as the artificial leg of Mexican General Santa Anna, a target board shot at by President Lincoln, as well as vehicles, weapons, uniforms, equipment and photographs.

Lincoln The Leader Wayside Exhibit is at this location.

The Citizen-Soldier exhibit features the military experiences of famous Illinois soldiers such as Carl Sandburg, Robert McCormick, John A. Logan and Abraham Lincoln.

The Kibbe Museum is located in Carthage, Illinois and houses a collection of artifacts relating to the history of Hancock County and western Illinois.  In addition, the museum also recently acquired the former collection of the Illinois Funeral Director’s Funeral Customs Museum. This world-class collection documents the material and social history of the mortuary profession and American funeral customs.

Museum exhibits cover the varied aspects of life in western Illinois from the early frontier days through the early 20th century.  Our approach to exhibit design permits closer viewing of most artifacts than you will normally experience in other museums.  

The LaSalle County Historical Society campus is located on the banks of the historic I&M Canal and is situated in the quaint village of Utica, Illinois, bordering beautiful Starved Rock State Park. The museum campus features five facilities: the Canal Warehouse, the One-Room School House, the Heritage Center, the Blacksmith Shop and the 1875 Barn. 

The Prairie Years and Victorian Era in Central Illinois come to life in exhibits at the Macon County History Museum. “The Lincoln Connection Exhibit” tells the story of Abraham Lincoln’s connection to Decatur and Macon County, and displays one of only two matching chairs that Lincoln owned and used in his Springfield, IL law office. Extensive Lincoln papers and reference materials can also be found in the Museum’s library.

The Prairie Village on the museum grounds is home to such historic buildings as a replica of the courthouse where Abraham Lincoln practiced in the 1830's, an 1850’s log house, an 1860’s one-room school, a smithy and a print shop.

Also known as the "Road That Built the Nation", the Historic National Road was created in 1806 by legislation signed by President Thomas Jefferson. Sometimes called "The Cumberland Road" and "The Old Pike", it was the only road completely built with federal funds.

Originally winding from Cumberland, Maryland to Vandalia, Illinois, the National Road opened Illinois to settlement. Today, the Illinois National Road stretches 164 miles from Marshall to East St. Louis and is mirrored by U.S. Route 40 and Interstate 70. Visitors can see where Lincoln’s political career began, marvel at a giant catsup bottle, and enjoy the food, festivals, and fun that make the Historic National Road a relaxed journey through Americana.

The Old Lincoln Courtroom & Museum in Beardstown is one of the most exceptional sights on the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Trail.

The Beardstown Historical Museum, housed in the Courthouse, has some very fine collections, including historically and culturally significant objects and artifacts relating to the community, the central Illinois region, and our Native American Heritage.

Do you know that the courtroom in Beardstown where Lincoln defended Duff Armstrong in the famous Almanac Trial is the only courtroom where Lincoln practiced that is still used as a courtroom to this day?

The Ottawa portion of the museum features collections of memorabilia relating to Ottawa’s historic past. Located on the Illinois-Michigan Canal, Ottawa was a booming canal town in the 1800s, with industry all along the lateral canal.  The museum exhibits artifacts from the past, including a carriage manufactured by the Gay Buggy Company, pianos from the Weaver Piano Factory, an organ from the Western Cottage Organ, marbles from the Peltier Marble Factory, farm equipment from Porter Manufacturing and King and Hamilton, photographic exhibits from some of our local mansions, a dress worn by a local woman during the first Lincoln-Douglas Debates, held in Ottawa in 1858, and other exhibits.