Categories
EducationNon-Profit/Organization
Hours:
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, from 9am - 5pm
Driving Directions:
Take I-57 to Exit 312. Head west on Court St (Route 17), then turn left on S. 8th Ave. The Kankakee County Museum is located at 801 S. 8th Ave, Kankakee, IL 60901.
About Us
The Kankakee County Historical Society, founded in 1906, is one of Illinois’ oldest historical societies, originally formed by a coalition of local groups like the Nature Club and Spanish War Veterans.
Its first display of artifacts began in 1912 at Kankakee High School, with several relocations until 1948, when it found a permanent home in the Historical and Arts Building at Governor Small Memorial Park—land donated by the Small family in honor of Governor Lennington Small, who was born in the historic 1855 Small family home also located on the site.
The building's dedication, attended by Governor Dwight Green, featured historical artifacts and art from the Kankakee Art League, including works by George Grey Barnard, a famous sculptor who once lived in Kankakee.
That tradition continues with the annual Art League Art Show in the Barnard Gallery, along with periodic art exhibits.
Today, the Kankakee County Museum has expanded to over four times its original size and includes additional historic features like the Taylor One-Room Schoolhouse, Column Garden, and Let Freedom Ring Garden, preserving and celebrating the rich history and culture of Kankakee County.
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