Route 66 Association of Illinois

Where The Road Begins

Museum

Williamsville Historical Museum

217 Elm Street, Williamsville, IL, United States

The Williamsville Historical Museum was constructed from two railroad boxcars and displays many historical artifacts of the town. It is located next to the Williamsville Public Library which is housed in the Williamsville Depot building.

http://www.williamsvillelibrary.org

The museum is open each Wednesday, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM.

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

212 South 6th Street, Springfield, IL, United States

A museum unlike any other-enabling visitors to experience the entire Lincoln story for themselves, under one roof-in a modern television control room on Election Night, 1860, the Blue Room of the White House; an Indiana log cabin; Ford’s Theatre, etc.

Phone: (217) 558-8844

https://www.illinois.gov/alplm/Pages/default.aspx

9 AM - 5 PM MONDAY - FRIDAY
Open some weekends for exhibit viewing.

Children’s Discovery Museum

101 East Beaufort Street, Normal, IL, United States

Come experience three floors of unique, hands-on, larger than life exhibits! This museum is designed to create a sense of wonder that excites the love of learning in children of all ages. Be sure to discover the new Children’s Discovery Museum.

Phone: 309-433-3444

http://www.childrensdiscoverymuseum.net

School Year Hours (September - May)
Tuesday and Wednesday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Monday: Closed (open select school holidays)

Summer Hours (June - August)
Tuesday and Wednesday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Monday : 9 a.m. - 12 noon (for members only)

Illinois State Museum

502 South Spring Street, Springfield, IL, United States

The Illinois State Museum inspires discovery and caring about Illinois’ cultural and natural resources and heritage. The Museum’s extensive collections and research activities provide the foundation for exhibitions and public programs that tell the story of the land, life, people, and art of Illinois.

Permanent and changing exhibits on Illinois’s land, life, people and art. Hands on children’s discovery room. The museum store contains high quality crafts created by Illinois artisans.

Phone: (217) 782-7386

http://www.illinoisstatemuseum.org/

Mon-Sat: 9-4:30
Sun: 12-4:30

Chatham Railroad Museum

100 North State Street, Chatham, IL, United States

The station is owned by the Village of Chatham and was restored by the Friends of the Depot in 1991. In 1999 the Chicago & Illinois Midland Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society signed an agreement with Chatham to re-restore the station and create the Chatham Railroad Museum. The museum will preserve the station and area railroad history for the benefit of the community.

Open Second and Fourth Sunday of the Month (except holidays)
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Open other times upon request.
Group Tours are welcome with advance notice.

McLean County Museum of History

200 North Main Street, Bloomington, IL, United States

From their website: “The McLean County Museum of History traces it roots back to 1892, the year the McLean County Historical Society was founded. The original Museum opened in 1904 when Historical Society members had collected enough material, in the form of presented papers, transcribed reminiscences, and donated objects, to share the collection with the public.”

Admission is free on Tuesday.

Phone: 309-827-0428

http://www.mchistory.org/

Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday - 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.