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1411 N 27th St.
Mt. Vernon, IL 62864
Phone: 618-246-0033
Email: jchsvip14@gmail.com |
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Open weekends from the first full weekend in May through the last full weekend in October.
Saturday 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Docents are available for group tours most other days by appointment. Admission is free although donations are appreciated. Office Hours
Monday - Friday
12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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The Fern Watson Library is located next door to the office. It is named for the long-ti
me society member who left funds to establish the first museum located in the old train depot east of town. She was the daughter of Doctor Watson who, as a pre-teenager, sat on Abraham Lincoln's lap on the stagecoach ride from Ashley to Mount Vernon. The stage was full of Abe's associates as they headed for the all-important Illinois vs Illinois Central Railroad trial at the then-new Supreme Court Building. Young Watson was so inspired by Abe's many tales that he never forgot the adventure and the story made its way into the history books.
The library is home to the documented history of the society, the Prairie Historian publications, and many other one-of-a-kind Jefferson County, Illinois records.
A recent add
ition to the library shelves is the set of sixteen binders containing records, by township, of the 142 one-room schools that were the centers of primary education a century ago. The binders contain much historical information and document some of the efforts of a county-wide program led by society members Larry Periman and Sharon Nichols to erect a sign at each original school building location.
Display Cases
There are several display cases in the “general purpose” area of the museum and the Prairie Historian Room which contain more frequently rotated smaller displays as well as permanent displays of the last bear in Jefferson County and wood and metal crafts.
These display cases, along with the Opdyke Bell, are mobile so they can be moved to accommodate meetings and educational programs.
New exhibit of artifacts displayed by the Elks Lodge # 819.
The Opdyke Bell
The rotating exhibits are designed with a specific theme and populated with appropriately representative artifacts. Each of these remains available for public viewing for three years. Selected examples from current and retired displays are shown below.
Spotlight on the Townships of Jefferson County
The 2019 exhibit is detailed in NEW IN 2019.
Food, Clothing, and Shelter: The Three Necessities of Life - 2018-20
The 2018 exhibit shows how life in Jefferson County has changed from the first settlement in the 1810s to the modern-day. The exhibit focus is on three areas – food, clothing, and shelter - in three time periods – 1816-1830; 1890-1910; and the 1950s. Emphasis is how work became easier as people no longer had to make everything for themselves from scratch but were able to purchase necessities and use more convenient stoves, sewing machines, and other appliances.
Past Pastimes; Entertainment before TV - 2017-19
The 2017 exhibit focused on old-time radio, movies, county fairs and Mt. Vernon’s tent Chautauqua.
Cozy pre-TV radio-side living room easy chairs.
Ticket booth at the entrance to the movie theater.
Made in Mount Vernon - 2016-18
The 2016 exhibit of manufacturing companies in pre-1970 Jefferson County showed the variety and quantity of items that used to be made locally but are now imported from other areas. Included are International Shoe Company, Mt. Vernon Furnace, Davidson Biscuit, Mt. Vernon Car Manufacturing, several soft drink bottlers, and others.
From Cradle to Combine - 2015-17
A 2015 exhibit, this farming exhibit was in two parts. The “Barn” section showcased some of the Society’s smaller, horse-drawn farming equipment. The “Farming” section highlighted some of the county’s fruit growers, dairy farmers, chicken-related industries plus grain and livestock farming.
The Evolution of Roads in Jefferson County - 2015-17
This exhibit from 2015 included maps of the roads of this area, from the very early 1800s through the early days of the unpaved roads of the county, up to the coming of the interstates.
Radios Exhibit
The newest permanent exhibit includes many of our collection of radios dating from the 1920s. They are displayed on new wall mounted shelving just inside the museum main entrance.
Prairie Historian Room Exhibits
In this room are permanent exhibits of many of our unique items: the mid-1800’s piano, a kitchen range built in Mt. Vernon’s Vernois stove foundry, wood carvings and a mural by local artist Clarence Pearson, cut glass from Mt. Vernon’s Output Company of America, teacher’s desk from Burkhead School in Moore’s Prairie Township, and many more.
