Do you ever dream of a house with history written on its structure? A different story per brick, a different story per room? The Edwards County Historical Museum on Albion, Illinois is one of these places. It is not merely just a museum on its own, but a document of life mankind lived in the early 19 th century, the politics they had at the time and the local heritage as well.
The Early Form of the Historical Building
The building where the Edwards County Historical Museum is located today was founded in the 1850s. The building was first constructed by Richard Pickering. In 1862, he sold the house to Jesse Emerson, whose family lived in the house for many years.
The house was relatively small at that time. It had a total of four rooms — two downstairs and two upstairs, all measuring 16×16 feet. There was a fireplace in the middle of the house that kept all four rooms warm. It had two porches on the north side — upstairs and downstairs. The eastern ends of these were closed, which were used as small rooms. The only way to reach the upper floor was through an external staircase.
The floors of the house were made of wide boards and the window and door trim was done by hand. All these things give you a glimpse of the craftsmanship of that time.
Birthplace of a historical personality
This house was the birthplace of Lewis Lincoln Emerson on 27 December 1863, who later served as Secretary of State of Illinois (1917–1929) and then Governor (1929–1933). He became governor during the period when America was struggling with the Great Depression. His childhood and youth were spent in this historic house.
Changes in the house over time
As time passed, many changes took place in this house. In 1913, this property reached John Moody through Morris Emerson. Moody made several changes to give the house a modern look — removing the fireplace, adding new rooms, building stairs inside, and installing electricity and water. The result was that a simple four-room house had now become a spacious 13-room building.
Establishment and purpose of the museum
In 1939, Dr. Walter Wheeler appealed to the local American Legion post to form an organization that would preserve the history and heritage of Edwards County. On the 21st August, of this year the Edwards County Historical Society was formed with Dr. Wheeler as its first president.
This is the organization that under his leadership, began to not only preserve historical items and documents but also began to encourage other people to, in fact, study both history and genealogy.
A good research and library facility
There is also a special library in the museum equally very helpful to researchers and other learners studying history. Previously this library was found in the Albion Public library building but now it has taken root in the museum. The library contains rare books, journals and family tree records of Edwards County history.
Publications and Awareness
Two books of great value have already been published by the Historical Society one in 1980 and the other in 1993. These books carry facts concerning the history of Edwards County and history of the local householders.
Memberships and Financial Aid
The museum is run by membership fees, book sales, and donations. Anyone interested in history can become a member of this organization and participate in its preservation work.
Visitor Hours
The Edwards County Historical Museum is open to the public every Thursday from 6 pm to 9 pm from April to November (except holidays). Visitors can now explore the museum’s collection of artifacts, photographs, documents, and preserved rooms, and immerse themselves in that golden age of history.
Museum Highlights
- Louis Lincoln Emerson’s Birthplace — a glimpse into a governor’s early life
- 1850s architecture — the purity of woodwork, fireplaces, and hand-carved trim
- Extensive renovation — balancing modern needs with original design
- Library for genealogical research — an invaluable source for discovering family history
- Inspiring leadership — contributions from history buffs like Dr. Walter Wheeler
Conclusion:
The digital world is in, and it is a wonder that, in this day and age, we have places, such as the Edwards County Historical Museum that set us back to reality and remind us how much we are grounded. This museum is a building where the presence of history can be not only in the books, but also on the walls, wood, and in the rooms. Being here you can not only experience the past but also you can have an idea about the lives of people who founded the present.