Area Museums

American Fluorite Museum
Rosiclare (618-285-3513)
Located in the former office building of the Rosiclare Lead & Fluorspar Mining Co., this was once part of the largest fluorspar mining area in the United States. Now a museum with mining paraphernalia, photographs, ore specimens, and other interesting items concerning our state mineral. Open March to December,  Thursday and Friday, 1 to 4 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday 1 to 1 p.m., tours by special appointment.

Custom House Museum
1400 Washington Ave., Cairo (618-734-1019)
An excellent museum containing Civil War and local history, Lewis and Clark exhibits, plus rooms depicting old businesses and a beautiful art gallery. This large 3 story building is also a national registered historic place. Open 10 am to Noon; and 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Eldorado History Museum
Locust St., Eldorado (618-273-7109)
The former City Hall has been renovated into a museum of historical items from the Saline County area. Open by appointment and on holidays.

First Baptist Church
Elizabethtown (618-287-2861)
Visit the oldest Baptist Church in Illinois with continuous service since 1806.

Fort Defiance State Park
Cairo (618-734-4127)
Located at the confluence of the Mississippi and the Ohio River, enjoy the view from the Boatmen’s Memorial located in the park. Fort Defiance was an important Civil War camp for Union troops. A war hospital, a national cemetery and a gunboat factory were nearby.

Fort Massac State Park
Metropolis (618-524-4712)
Illinois’ oldest state park overlooking the Ohio River,  features a reconstructed French fort, block houses and museum containing French and Native American artifacts. Open Monday-Friday.  Special weekend activities and enactments throughout the year.

Harrisburg Dist. Library
2 West Walnut, Harrisburg (618-253-7455)
The library has a gallery featuring local artists in changing shows. Genealogists will also enjoy this library.

Illinois Iron Furnace
Elizabethtown (618-833-8576)
During Civil War days pig iron was smelted here and shipped down the Ohio river to be used for building gunboats. This charcoal fired iron furnace is now on the Nat’l Register of Historic Places.

Lewis and Clark Marked Sites
There are 21 known Lewis and Clark related sites within the southern part of the State of Illinois. These  sites include Gallatin County ( Shawneetown), Fort Massac near Metropolis, and Cairo in Alexander County. For more information click on Lewis and Clark Bicentennial.

Marshall House
Shawneetown (618-272-7038)
The first bank chartered in 1816 in the Illinois territory was located in the John Marshall house, just steps from the Ohio River. Today it is a frontier history museum with murals and  artifacts.
Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April through October.

McCoy Memorial Library
118 South Washington St., McLeansboro (618-643-2125)
This 1884 majestic Victorian building sits on the southwest corner of the town square and is furnished in original furnishings, artworks and genealogy volumes. A National Historic Place, this home turned library/museum is part of a  historic walking tour with several other architectural homes and buildings in McLeansboro. Open Monday-Friday 11 to 5; Saturday 8 to 5. Genealogy Library on the 2^nd floor open Monday through Friday 1 to 4 p.m.

Mound City National Cemetery
Jct. Hwy 51 and Hwy 37, Mounds (618-748-9428)
 Located on the National Register of Historic Places, this cemetery has soldiers from every war; 2,759 markers are “unknown”. Mounds was chosen by Lincoln because it had a large Civil War hospital and a Navy yard along the Ohio River.

Paul Powell Museum
404 West Vine, Vienna (618-995-2068)
Displays regarding the life and political career of statesman Paul Powell (he hid his money in shoe boxes under his bed!) Also, displays of the history and genealogy of Johnson County. Open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m.

Renaissance House: A Working Art Gallery
1032 Organ St., Eldorado (618-273-7366)
Housed in a historical brick building downtown, this gallery schedules exhibits and events, offers classes in art as well as original art and gifts for sale.

Ridgway Museum
Ridgway (618-272-7157)
Collection of local history of Gallatin County and the Drone Family from France. Open weekends and by appointment.

Rose Hotel
Main Street, Elizabethtown (618-287-2872) http://www.rosehotel.net
The oldest operating hotel in Illinois. This National Historic site was built in 1812 when river boats lined the Ohio River. Today it is a bed and breakfast; tours by appointment. http://www.rosehotel.net

Saline Creek Pioneer Village
1600 South Feazel St., Harrisburg (618-253-7342)
An 1877 Victorian “poor farm” houses a museum of local artifacts.  Several log homes, barn & blockhouse,  an old Quaker church, a mean old jail, and a school complete the village. Tours Tuesday through Sunday 2 to 5 p.m. Groups please call ahead. Small admission.

Shawneetown Bank
Old Shawneetown (618-272–7038)
The first State Bank in Illinois, built in 1830, is a grand Greek revival structure with four stories, and a five columned portico overlooking the Ohio River.

Southeastern Illinois College
Harrisburg (618-252-5400 ext. 2232)
Educational, social, cultural & literary events; art gallery features monthly exhibits. Fall Arts & Crafts Festival first weekend in November

Tecumseh Bronze Statue
Saline Co. State Fish & Wildlife Area , Equality (618-276-4405)
A tribute to the great Shawnee chief who lived in this area and tried to unite the surrounding tribes. Located at the beginning of the Crest Trail.

The Old Slave House
Rt.1, Equality (618-998-9397)
This 1834 historic mansion on Hickory Hill was built by John Crenshaw, who ran a salt mine, leased from the national government. For labor he rented slaves, who were kept in tiny rooms under the roof of this house. Owned by the State of Illinois, it is not open to the public yet. See www.illinoishistory.com for more info.