History

The passage of time is well documented in Kankakee County through its diverse architecture and rich history. The many fine museums include the Kankakee County Museum, home of the Kankakee County Historical Society, founded in 1906, it is the oldest incorporated local historical society in Illinois. You can learn about the first explorers and missionaries in the Kankakee River Valley at the French Heritage Museum at the Stone Barn and 550 years of wood engraving, etching, and typesetting at the Bronte History of Printing Museum. Architecture fans won’t want to miss Frank Lloyd Wright's B. Harley Bradley House which demonstrates the very beginning of Wright's iconic Prairie Style. Click the green tabs with the plus sign to add an item to your itinerary. 

The George R. Letourneau Home and Museum

The museum was the home of Bourbonnais' first mayor George R. Letourneau. Exhibits include history of Mayor Letourneau a ... Details

Apothecary Arts & Antiques

Venture back in time when you walk into Jensen Drugstore Museum. You will find items belonging to previous town inhabita ... Details

B. Harley Bradley House

The B. Harley Bradley House is one of Wright's earliest Prairie Style homes. View the beautiful landscape around the tra ... Details

Basu Museum and Cultural Center

An African American multicultural museum, featuring thousands of artifacts. Call ahead. ... Details

Bourbonnais Grove Historical Society

The museum was the home of Bourbonnais' first mayor, George R. Letourneau. Exhibits include history of Mayor Letourneau ... Details

Bradley Historical Society

History of Bradley and surrounding areas from the 1600s-present. ... Details

Chebanse Historical Society

History and artifacts of Chebanse, IL. ... Details

Downtown Momence Historic District

Nestled on the Kankakee River, this intact turn of the 19th Century commercial district was listed in the National Regis ... Details

Durham-Perry Farmstead

The Durham-Perry Farmstead was one of the first pioneer settlements in the Kankakee River Valley. The farmstead was esta ... Details

Earl D. Schoeffner Farm Museum

Enjoy this collection of more than one hundred years of farm life. The museum's exhibits, displays and ongoing education ... Details

Essex Historical Society Museum

This historical site features a one-room schoolhouse and historical Essex artifacts contained in an adjacent brick build ... Details

Exploration Station...a children's museum

This children's museum is a must-see attraction in Perry Farm Park. Little imaginations grow big in this world of discov ... Details

Four Walking Tours of Historic Bourbonnais, Illinois

Before the Village of Bourbonnais was incorporated in 1875, the settlement was known as Bourbonnais Grove. The Bourbonna ... Details

French Heritage Museum at the Stone Barn

Explore the French involvement in the history of the Kankakee River Valley, the first explorers and missionaries, the Co ... Details

Graham Historic House and Museum

Depicting everyday life in the late 1880s, this 1869 home features period furnishings throughout. The arbor and gardens ... Details

Grant Park Historical Society

History and artifacts from Grant Park, IL. ... Details

Herscher Area Historical Society & Museum

The Herscher Area Historical Society museum contains photographs, documents, and artifacts which depict the history of H ... Details

Historic Churches of Kankakee County

Tour our nine historic churches that represent the spirit of commitment our early settlers had in establishing Kankakee ... Details

Jensen Drugstore Museum

Venture back in time when you walk into Jensen Drugstore Museum. You will find items belonging to previous town inhabita ... Details

Kankakee Community College

This self-guided outdoor sculpture tour showcases works that are a reflection of artistic innovation that is both though ... Details

Kankakee County Courthouse

Built in 1912, the courthouse features a dome mural depicting scenes of local history and is a focal point positioned in ... Details

Kankakee County Fair and Exposition Center

The first county fair was held in 1856 in the current Riverview Historic District. The fair has been held every year sin ... Details

Kankakee County Museum

Discover an extensive collection of county history. The museum grounds include the 1855 Dr. A. L. Small Memorial Home, 1 ... Details

Kankakee Railroad Museum

Explore restored train cars- a 1900s trolley car, a 1964 Union Pacific caboose and a 1947 Pullman car. Marvel at N Gauge ... Details

Kankakee Valley Genealogical Society

The Kankakee Valley Genealogical Society has been recording Kankakee County's history since 1968. Their records include ... Details

Little Red School House

This 1850s schoolhouse was moved to its present location in 1983 and has been restored. Contains period memorabilia and ... Details

Mainstreet Momence

PO Box 101
Momence, IL
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Manteno Historical Society Museum

Headquartered in the Charles Skinner House, contains a collection of photographs, histories, documents and artifacts. Th ... Details

Merchant Street Art Gallery of Artists with Autism

An exhibition space for notable artists and musicians that have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. As one of ... Details

Momence Railroad Depot Museum

This privately-owned 1890s depot was restored in 2001. The building served as a depot from 1890 to the 1950s, and served ... Details

Olivet Nazarene University

Student and faculty art shows are professionally lighted and exhibited in Brandenburg Art Gallery on the lower level of ... Details

Pioneer Cabin at Conrad Park

Visit an authentic cabin built during Momence's 150th anniversary to honor the area's first settlers. ... Details

Point School House

This 1854 founded schoolhouse was moved to its present location in 2008 and has been restored. Contains period memorabil ... Details

Riverview Historic District

The Riverview Historic District sits on the scenic banks of the Kankakee River and contains custom-built, carefully-rest ... Details

Strickler Planetarium

Journey through an accurate model o four stellar neighborhood with the aid of the Digistar state-of-the-art digital dome ... Details

The Kankakee Depot

The 1898 Illinois Central Railroad depot was restored in 1998 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in ... Details

The Metro Centre Art Gallery

This gallery displays works from local painters, photographers and artists. Most are for sale and can be purchased at th ... Details

Vintage Purse Museum

COMING SOON!!!! Vintage Purse Museum, N.F.P. is a museum that will employ special ability adults. Exhibits include thou ... Details