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.

Curios purchased on a youthful trip to England first kindled interest for Florence, a home economics teacher, and Jenna, a Disciples of Christ minister. Over the next half century they spent countless hours in study and research, learning the history of the pieces they would come to collect. Today, the museum collection totals more than 1,000 vases, lamps and pieces of art glass, including such names as Wedgwood, Tiffany and Boehm.

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.

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 Historical Society Museum. There are many Lincoln artifacts and references to Abraham Lincoln’s years in the Decatur area exhibited here, and extensive Lincoln papers and reference materials are 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.