Museums From Around the Corridor

Around the Heritage Corridor Region there is so much rich history from the I&M Canal, Along Route 66 and in the Starved Rock Country area. You can explore many of our historic areas while learning a thing or two about Lincoln and his great debates, Wild Bill and all his adventures and even the construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal.

Canal Towns

Carbon Hill School Museum – Carbon Hill

The Carbon Hill School Museum is home to the Carbon Hill Historical Society. This original 1893 schoolhouse displays hundreds of original artifacts depicting immigrant turn-of-the-century life of families, businesses, and coal mines.

Grundy County Historical Society and Museum – Morris

The museum has an extensive amount of Mazon fossils on display, a replica of a Grundy County store from 1890, replica of 1900 living room, as well as tools used by pioneers and farmers. The Grundy County Historical Society and Museum is full of artifacts and history.

Lemont Area Historical Society – Lemont

The Lemont Area Historical Society is a national landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It also contains a rich collection of historical artifacts from Lemont and the surrounding area.

Lockport Area Genealogical & Historical Society – Lockport

The Lockport Area Genealogical & Historical Society collects, preserves and makes accessible to the public the stories and records of the family history of the Lockport Illinois area.

Will County Historical Museum and Research Center – Lockport

The Will County Historical Society exists so that people and organizations can learn about the rich history of Will County. At the museum, you can tour a Victorian Doctor’s office, a vault, and a 19th century Heritage Village, as well as learn about the past of Will County.

Route 66

Bolingbrook’s Clow International Airport – Bolingbrook

Clow International Airport is Bolingbrook’s general aviation airport and is home to the A&M Aviation FBO, the Illinois Aviation Museum, and Charlie’s Restaurant. Every June the Clow International Airport hosts their Cavalcade of Planes, which attracts aviation enthusiasts to a display of historic aircrafts, museum exhibits, flyovers, and rides in an experimental aircraft.

Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn – Oak Lawn

The Children’s Museum is home to numerous exhibits that help children explore their curiosity while discovering something unique about themselves and learning about science, technology, history, and everyday life. From science to math, to careers to the arts, children will role play and try new things. You can also explore their new Route 66 exhibit coming soon in August 2022!

Joliet Area Historical Museum – Joliet

At the Joliet Area Historical Museum you can take a walk through a replica of the I&M Canal, window shop on turn-of-the-century street, live the legend of the ‘Mother Road’ Route 66, and experience space exploration and the Apollo missions. You will discovery family fun at every turn when you visit the Joliet Area Historical Museum. Enjoy their new Blues Brother exhibit where you can view the actual suites worn by John Belushi and Dan Aykrod during the making of The Blues Brothers.

Starved Rock Country

Hume-Carnegie Museum – Mendota

The Hume-Carnegie Museum hosts an extensive photographic collection depicting over 100 years of Mendota area history. You won't want to miss it's Wild Bill Hickok collection.

LaSalle County Historical Society – Utica

The museum campus features five facilities: the Canal Warehouse, the One-Room School House, the Heritage Center, the Blacksmith Shop and the 1875 Barn. On Sundays in May – September, the historical society is home to the canal market.

Mendota Museum & Historical Society – Mendota

Mendota Museum & Historical Society's mission is to promote the preservation of the history of Mendota, its railroads and recognizing agricultural heritage through three museums. Relive history at the Hume-Carnegie Museum, Union Railroad Depot Museum, and the Breaking the Prairie Museum.

Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum – Ottawa

The Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum is dedicated to the preservation of the history of the Ottawa, Illinois area and Boy Scouting, Lone Scouts, and Girl Scouting.

Putnam County Historical Society – Hennepin

The Putnam County Historical Society hosts an annual agriculture museum open house in August. The museum is home to antique farm equipment, a permanent exhibit on the history of corn in the U.S., a permanent exhibit on the Illinois River and area wildlife.

Seattle Sutton Marseilles Museum – Marseilles

That history starts in the 1830's when settlers in built a cabin by the Illinois river. The arrival of the Illinois-Michigan Canal (1848), the railroad (1853), and the Nabisco factory (1902) are also milestones in our city's history.

Seneca Area Heritage Museum and resource Center – Seneca

The Guild’s major function is to discover, collect, observe, advance, and disseminate knowledge of the history of Seneca. The Seneca Area Heritage Museum highlights the many layers of history of Seneca, Illinois, including the I&M Canal and the LST Shipyards.

Westclox Museum -Peru

The Westclox Museum in Peru, Illinois presents visitors with a history of the Western Clock Company, better known as Westclox. The museum is located in a portion of the historic Westclox building. On exhibit is a large collection of Tick Talk Magazines that hold all of the wonderful stories of the thousands of employees who worked at the Westclox factory.