MARVELOUS Museums

Steeped in fascinating history, from enormous Native American trading camps on the banks of the Illinois to French explorers establishing a fort at Starved Rock and the very first Lincoln-Douglas debate, LaSalle County has been home to historic events that not only shaped Illinois, but the entire world. LaSalle County’s amazing museums archive this rich history and share it with the public, in a way that’s just as fun as it is informative!

EARLVILLE COMMUNITY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM

136 S. Ottawa Street • Earlville

815-246-7076 www.earlvillehistory.org

Housed inside a historic 1890’s hardware store, Earlville’s free community museum shares the history of this Northern LaSalle County town through a fascinating collection of artifacts.

LOCK 16 VISITOR CENTER

754 First Street • LaSalle 815-220-1848 www.iandmcanal.org

The Lock 16 Visitor Center offers more than just a delicious café and great gift shop, it also houses a massive wrap-around interpretive mural that tells the storied history of ride along a mile and half of restored canal, learning the importance I&M played in the

HUME-CARNEGIE MUSEUM

901 Washington St. • Mendota 815-539-3373 www.mendotamuseums.org

Witness a collection of over 500 photos depicting 100

Lock 16 Visitors Center

fascinating years of Mendota

BREAKING THE PRAIRIE FARM MUSEUM

684 8th Street • Mendota

815-539-3373 mendotamuseums.org

This unique agricultural museum is open for viewing 24/7, through a series of glass windows that allow you to take a look at the historic farm implements that “broke the prairie”. Interior tours can be arranged by calling the number listed above.

NORSK MUSEUM

3656 E. 2631st St. • Sheridan

815-343-5070 norskmuseum.org

This delightful museum is dedicated to Scandinavian culture, and is filled with artifacts from the Norwegian immigrants that settled the region back in the 1800’s.

STARVED ROCK STATE PARK VISITORS CENTER

2678 E. 873rd Road • Oglesby 815-667-4726 dnr.illinois.gov

Starved Rock’s cutting edge visitors center helps guests learn about the park’s storied past, fascinating wildlife and ecology through the use of interactive displays and interpretive dioramas.

M.J. HOGAN GRAIN ELEVATOR

124 West Williams • Seneca 815-357-6197 senecahistory.com

This 1861 grain elevator is of the last of its kind. This 65+ foot tall, 70,000 bushel elevator can be toured during special events, or call the number above to arrange a tour.

SENECA AREA HERITAGE MUSEUM

431 N. Main Street • Seneca 815-769-5077 senecahistory.com

Seneca’s fascinating history is explained through a wonderfully curated collection of artifacts inside a vintage train depot! The museum even includes information on Seneca’s famed shipyard that produced 157 LSTs for WWII.

I&M CANAL TOLLHOUSE

1221 Columbus St. • Ottawa 815-434-2737 pickusottawail.com

The only surviving I&M tollhouse, this one room museum shows guests what the life of an 1850’s locktender was like, through a collection of artifacts, dioramas and historical documents.

OTTAWA HERITAGE AND SCOUTING MUSEUM

1100 Canal Street • Ottawa 815-431-9353

Dedicated to preserving the history of the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Campfire Scouts, this museum also has displays on the Lincoln Douglas Debates, and scouts founder/Ottawa resident W. D. Boyce.

Illinois Waterway Visitor Center

950 N. 27th Road • Ottawa 815-667-4054

See the operation of a real lock and dam up close, and learn about the Illinois Waterway’s significance as a part of the nation’s water highway system.

Lasalle County

GENEALOGICAL GUILD

115 West Glover Street Ottawa 815-433-5261

Search a vast archive of historical records to learn more about your ancestors’ connection to LaSalle County.

Washington Square Park

Ottawa pickusottawail.com

Visit the historic site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate, as honored by a large reflecting pool and beautiful bronze statue.

Westclox Museum

350 5th Street, Suite 265 Peru 815-250-0617 westcloxmuseum.com

Peru’s famed Westclox factory, makers for the beloved cultfavorite clock, are honored in this fascinating museum. Through a vast collection of documents, artifacts and antiques, the Westclox Museum tells the story of the community that made these remarkable clocks.

Streatorland Historical Society Museum

306 Vermillion Street Streator 815-672-2443 streatorlandmuseum.com

Celebrate historic Streator at this riveting museum, filled with thousands of artifacts, pictures, and records dedicated to telling the story of this community. You’ll also find a real Burlington Northern caboose on the museum property.

Lasalle County Historical Society Museum

101 East Canal Street • Utica 815-667-4861

The LaSalle County Historical Society campus, located on the banks of the historic I&M Canal features five buildings and interpretive sites that, together, weave the fascinating story of LaSalle County.