The Kankakee County Museum complex is located at 801 South Eighth Avenue in Kankakee, Illinois. The Museum Complex includes: the Main Museum Building containing seven permanent and temporary exhibit galleries, the Museum Store, the Museum's Archival Research Library, and the Museum's offices and support facilities; the historic 1855 Dr. A.L. Small House; the 1904 Taylor One-Room School House; and the Museum's Column Garden and Outdoor Exhibit Area.

The Museum's new two-year temporary exhibit: "Kankakee Faces the American Century, 1894 to 1921."

The Museum currently presents two inter-connected two-year temporary exhibits. Both exhibits chronicle Kankakee County's experiences during some of the greatest events of the twentieth century. "Kankakee Faces the American Century, 1894 to 1921, explores Kankakee's Spanish-American War and World War I experience. The exhibit is largely the story of Kankakee's own Company L/3rd Regiment Illinois National Guard (later designated Company L/3rd Battalion/129th Infantry/33rd Infantry Division). "We're All Doing Our Part!' The World War II Era Experience of Kankakee County," continues the story of Kankakee through the trauma of the Second World War. Both exhibits contain significant artifacts and archival materials, which are supported with large numbers of period photographic images, all depicting Kankakee natives.

Our permanent galleries include: "We Have a Fair Prospect of Success Here!' The Story of Kankakee County, Its First Century, from 1853 to 1953;" "The Three Governor's Gallery;" "The Sculpture of George Grey Barnard," and "Our Civic Passions were Stirred!' A View of Kankakee in 1900 with the family of James and Edith Lillie." Our temporary galleries currently display: "The Gibson Girl's Kankakee: A View of the Kankakee Community 1893 to 1914;" Kankakee Faces the American Century, 1894 to 1921;" and "We're All Doing Our Part!' The World War II Era Experience of Kankakee County."

Interior of the Taylor School House.

The Museum complex also contains the historic Dr. A.L. Small House, built in 1855 and the boyhood home of Lennington Small, Governor of Illinois from 1921 to 1929, as well as the one-room Taylor School House built in 1904. In addition, the Kankakee County Museum hosts a monthly lecture series and many special programs, such as the Rhubarb Festival in May, the Gallery of Trees Exhibit in December and several musical events, so there is a lot here for visitors to see and participate in!

Museum Hours: From April 1^st to October 1^st, Tuesday through Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM, Saturday and Sunday from 1 PM to 4PM. From October 2^nd to March 31^st, Tuesday through Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM, Sunday from 1 PM to 4 PM. For group tours, research visits and special event information please call (815) 932-5279.

Become a part of our team! We want you to become a member of the Kankakee County Historical Society, whose home is the Kankakee County Museum.

We hope that you will enjoy visiting our web site and we hope to have you visit us in person soon.

Copyright © 2006 The Daily Journal