Immerse in Our History
What better way is there to experience history than witnessing it firsthand? Granted, we’re not about to invent time travel and zap you back into Abraham Lincoln’s time — not yet, anyway — but what we lack in defying the laws of space and time, we make up for in our uncanny ability to preserve and honor the past, ensuring future generations gain a better understanding of who we are and where we came from.
That’s the enduring spirit you’ll experience across the astonishing museums of Jacksonville. Learn about the history of the Underground Railroad and the fight to break the chains of slavery forever. See the relics of the educational institutions that drew some of the nation’s brightest minds to Central Illinois. Witness the industries that brought jobs to local families while shaping a burgeoning nation, from the Eli Bridge Company’s carnival attractions to J. Capps & Sons providing the clothing Buffalo Bill needed for his famous Wild West showcases. These are the stories that have defined life in Jacksonville for generations and continue to influence our bright future.
