Museum & Grounds - Macoupin Historical Society

MACOUPIN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

MUSEUM & GROUNDS

Wednesdays

April Through November

10:00 a.m. To 3:00 p.m.

Sundays

June Through August

1:00 p.m. To 4:00 p.m.

Tour Donations:

Adults $5.00 - Children $1.00

In order to meet the increasing operating costs of the Macoupin County Historical Society the Board voted to increase annual dues to $25. per household and increase the price of a lifetime membership to $300. effective March 1, 2023. Memberships renewed or purchased by February 28, 2023 will be honored at the old price. The new prices take effect on March 1, 2023.

Appointments may be made for groups and other special Tours.

Give us a call at 217-854-2850

or Submit Form with any questions or comments.

In 1973 the Society purchased the home of Mrs. Jesse Claude Anderson Crawford for use as the Society's museum. Special fund raisers were held to raise the funds for the purchase of the Anderson home and its 16 acres. Final payment on the propery was made in 1976.

The home was boarded up and in a very rundown condition for a number of years before the purchase of the Society. Improvements have been made as funds have been available and have encompassed every area of the home and grounds. Buildings that were beyond repair were torn down and were: the blacksmith shop/bunk house, buggy shed, and sheep/calf shed. Formal gardens were on the west side of the house, including a small oval fish pond which has been filled in. The brick walk for the garden is still visible in some areas. A small section of the southeast corner of the property was sold before acquisition by the Society. In addition, the land south of the museum which is now a school grounds was originally part of the Anderson property. The home and grounds were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

Features of the House

• 13 rooms, full basement, attic and tower

• Architectural style is Italianate, Queen Anne and Stick

• 2 large double columned porches

• 2 elaborate bay windows

• Oak staircase, woodwork and flooring throughout

• Sliding pocket doors

• Geometric patterns in some of the hardwood flooring

• Woodwork is Italianate, Queen Ann (described as a flower of wheat pattern) and plain; most original hardware is still intact.

• 3 bathrooms; one has all the original fixtures, the other two have their original marble sinks

• Large stained glass window on second floor landing purchased at the World-Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893

• Oak paneled vestibule

• Beveled fret work first floor

• Folding window shutters

• 8 uniquely different fireplaces

• Kitchen in barn and pavilion for serving food/eating during festivals

• Barn #2 - Display of early farm and home equipment/furnishings

• Barn #3 - Display of antique tractors and farm machinery

• Hays Building used by Macoupin Agricultural Antique Association

• Blacksmith Shop used by Illinois Valley Blacksmith Association

• Saw Mill

• Steam Engine

• One-Room Schoolhouse

• Country Church

• Country Store

• Print Shop

• Fire House

• Gas Station

• Wash House

• Granary and Herb Garden