Museums

The African-American Cultural & Genealogical Society of Illinois Museum (AACGS)
314 N. Main Street
Decatur, IL 62523
(217) 429-7458
www.african-americancultural.org
aacgs@springnet1.com

AACGS promotes and provides resources and education on the history of the African American. Embracing all cultures, it offers (in part), genealogy workshops, museum displays, storytelling, essay & poetry contests and the promotion of Cultural Arts. Three main annual community events sponsored are Black History Month, Juneteenth National Freedom Day, and Kwanzaa Celebration.

The Birks Museum
Millikin University
1184 W. Main Street
Decatur, IL 62522
217.424.6337
www.millikin.edu/birks/themuesum.html

Two sisters' love of decorative arts gave birth to a sparkling spot of beauty on the campus of Millikin University, their alma mater.

The sisters' interest was not limited to glass and porcelain. Other unusual items they donated include a brilliantly detailed Japanese bridal kimono and exquisite pieces of turn-of-the- century furniture by Emil Galle and Gustav Stickley. The museum has also become home for other collections, including the Chinese art objects of the late Mr. and Mrs. Guy Scovill.

Contact the university for hours and group tour information. Free admission.

 

Chevrolet Hall of Fame Museum
3635 US Route 36 East
1-888-926-9843 or 217-454-4583
www.chevrolethalloffamemuseum.com

A museum of Chevrolet automobiles combining various race cars, Indy 500 Pacecars, and original unrestored examples of some of their finest automobiles built. This is all combined with one of the most extensive Chevrolet memorabilia collections ever viewed by the public. This unique setting includes a diner - Dreamer's Diner where the cars can be partially viewed while you eat a fantastic breakfast or lunch. It is a must see experience for automobile or racecar buffs!

Hours - 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Tuesday-Sunday

 

Children’s Museum of Illinois
55 S. Country Club Road
Decatur, IL 62521
217.423.5437
www.cmofil.com

The Children's Museum of Illinois offers hands-on exhibits that encourage children of all ages to touch and interact. Focusing on people and cultures, the arts, physics/physical science, the ecosystem and health sciences, the Children’s Museum of Illinois is so much fun for everyone, you tend to forget it’s actually educational!

Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Special weekend activities take place from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday (times may vary). Closed major holidays. Admission is charged. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

David Lee's Cola-zeum
Inside Hickory Point Mall
Forsyth, Illinois
217-877-2767

Come and see 100+ years of Coca-Cola history. In addition to the wonderful Coke items, you will see a collection of Elam Root Beer memorabilia. Souvenirs and refreshments are available as well. Open Thursday - Sunday. Admission charged.

Hieronymous Mueller Museum
420 W. Eldorado
Decatur, IL 62523
217.423.6161

You can't turn on your faucet, go roller skating, get a drink at a public fountain or drive your car without thinking about Hieronymus Mueller. Visit this interesting and award-winning museum, showcasing all this amazing inventor’s contributions to modern technology! Decatur’s “unsung genius” held over 500 patents. Among this exceptional facility’s treasures is the seventh of only eight cars manufactured by Mueller.

Hours are Thursday - Saturday 1:00p.m. - 4:00p.m. (closed holidays). Admission $2.00 for adults and $1.50 for children. Special group tour rates and appointments are available

Macon County Museum Complex
5580 North Fork Road
Decatur, IL 62521
217.422.4919
www.mchsdecatur.org

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 the courthouse where Abraham Lincoln practiced in the 1830's, a log house, a one-room school, a circa-1880 railroad depot, a smithy and a print shop. Open year round, from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Closed Sunday. Admission $2.00 per person.

Art Galleries

Anne Lloyd Gallery
The Madden Arts Center
125 N. Water Street
Decatur , IL 62523
217-423-3189
www.decaturarts.org

The warm, welcoming and slightly funky Madden Arts Center is a richly renovated hub where the Decatur Area Arts Council makes its home. The building houses galleries, classrooms, an art shop, photo lab and rehearsal spaces. The Anne Lloyd Gallery showcases local exhibits as well as extraordinary traveling collections. The gallery spotlights an International Arts Experience exhibition over an 8-week period each summer.

Blue Connection Gallery
In the Madden Arts Center
117 N. Water Street
Decatur, IL 62523
217-428-0112
www.millikinblueconnection.com

The "Art of Entrepreneurship" program (of which the Blue Connection Gallery is an integral part) has been developed to unite the strengths of two of Millikin's Professional Schools: the Tabor School of Business and the College of Fine Arts. 

You will find all types of art displayed at The Blue Connection. Be sure to stop in and browse. Who knows…a promising student’s work purchased today, could turn out to be a valuable masterpiece tomorrow!

Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and  Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday.

The gallery participates in the “First Friday” art walks by hosting receptions that trademark the arts community in Decatur’s quaint and historic downtown.

Decatur Public Library
Second Floor Gallery
130 N. Franklin Street
Decatur, IL 62523
217-424-2900
www.decatur.lib.il.us

The Second Floor Gallery, in partnership with Gallery 510, showcases local and regional artwork year-round. Frequently local and national traveling exhibits are displayed. In conjunction with the featured exhibits the library presents topic-specific programs and events.

The gallery is open Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm; Friday-Saturday 9am-5:30pm; Sunday-1pm-5pm (Sept-May). Admission to the gallery is free and the public is welcome to all programs and events.

 

Gallery 510
160 East Main Street
Decatur, IL 62523
217-422-1509
www.gallery510.org

In 2005, Gallery 510 sold its original home at 510 West Decatur Street, and Gallery 510 Arts Guild, Ltd. moved into downtown Decatur for increased visibility and service to participating artists.

Located a few steps around the corner from the Madden Arts Center and The Blue Connection, this gallery is a cooperative venue for professional and emerging artists, displaying varying works from paintings and sculptures to glass, textiles, pottery and fiber art.

Open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The gallery holds a free public reception the first Friday evening of each month featuring a local artist’s work, as part of the downtown Decatur “art walks.”

Kirkland Galleries & Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Millikin University
1184 W. Main Street
Decatur, IL 62522
217-424-6318
www.millikin.edu/art

Three galleries on the Millikin University Campus feature changing one-artist exhibits during the academic year. The Perkinson Gallery shows work by nationally known artists. The Lower Gallery focuses on photographic works. Student artists display their works in the Studio Gallery. The Perkinson Gallery is open Monday-Friday from noon to 5 p.m. The Lower and Studio Galleries are open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free admission.

David Erlanson Gallery
Richland Community College
One College Park
Decatur, IL 62526
217-875-7211
www.richland.edu

The David Erlanson Art Gallery is located in the center of the Richland Community College campus and is used to display artwork of students, faculty, and professional artists. Each month, a new artist is featured and the public is invited to a reception honoring the artist.

This intimate space showcases a wide range of works from regional artists, while enhancing the college’s art program. Exhibits rotate monthly, and highlights include an annual student art show in May.

Hours are Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Monday-Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Lobby Gallery
Main Terminal – Decatur Airport
910 S. Airport Road
Decatur, IL 62521
217-422-1509
www.decatur-airport.org

Art takes off in the Lobby Gallery at the main terminal of the Decatur Airport. Exhibits range from watercolors and acrylics to oils, pastels and fiber art. The airport is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The North Gallery at Rock Springs Nature Center
3939 Nearing Lane
Decatur, IL 62522
217-423-8606
www.maconcountyconservation.org/rocksprings.php

This gallery showcases the works of local artists in various media. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.