Visited on weekend celebrating the beginning of the expedition. The museum has a vast amount of…read moreinformation about the trip, supplies, people involved, readying for journey. This weekend had reenactors outside showing early 19th century crafts. Fun for all and great learning experience.

We stopped by on a whim when visiting the in-laws. It happened to be the anniversary & there were…read moreperiod actors interacting that were set up throughout, with assorted stations. This was both cool & informative. There was no entry fee, always a plus. The info desk had a guest book. It appeared most visitors who signed were from Illinois. The movie wasn't playing during our visit, I'm not sure if there was a mechanical issue or if it was because of the special celebration. So, I can't speak on it. It's smaller than I expected, yet very interesting & I did learn a few new details. We walked out to the cabins/fort & they were all locked with some of them having the roofs/walls collapsed. Perhaps an entry fee is in order for maintenance/upkeep. Overall, worth a stop, especially for those interested in the expedition.

This museum was awesome! I wasn't expecting much from this small home, but I was more than…read moreimpressed. I have never been to a museum that uses the home like it was used in its hay-day. The kitchen was remodeled in the late 1800's so they rebuilt a detached replica of the original kitchen which was the very neat. They tour guide let us touch all the utensils, cookware, and tools while she explained how they would have been used. Inside, they tore the building down to the bricks and rebuilt it exactly as it was in 1820. If you have a couple hours to explore while in Edwardsville, stop for a tour....you will be impressed.

From the owner: We are a hands-on history museum that offers a fun and unique view of life in 1820 Illinois. A…read morevariety of special events and activities are offered throughout the year as well as guided tours of the site.

If you know me, you know I'm fascinated by everyday historic landmarks. I prefer the places people…read moredon't always think about - like the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. So, fun facts. Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is part of the even more historic Route 66. It also helps to connect Missouri and Illinois (and yes, you can walk it - or wheel it in my case). Built in 1929, the bridge features a 30-degree turn halfway across the mile-long bridge. While today this area is very passable by ships, in 1929 a "chain of rocks" (a 17-mile shoal) made passage difficult. Originally designed to go straight across, riverboat men protested because the bridge itself would have created an additional obstacle. Essentially, it had to "bend" for the sake of safe passage. The bridge cost twice its original estimate ($2.5 million), but it was built as a "destination" from the beginning. The Missouri side had a park; the Illinois side had 400 elm trees. There was even an amusement park. Also, during World War II the red sections were painted green so it would be less visible from air. The bridge closed in terms of official function in 1968 - a new Chain of Rocks Bridge opened in 1967 and includes Interstate 270. Old Chain of Rocks Bridge was nearly destroyed in 1967. For several years, that seemed likely. In 1980 (another fun fact), John Carpenter used the bridge in Escape From New York). Obviously, the bridge has been restored to some fame. It's now part of the Route 66 Bikeway (as of 1999), and in 2006 was added to the National Register of Historic Places. I'm considering a Route 66 Tenderness Tour (or at least part of the 2,000+ mile highway). This bridge may become part of that, so I'm thrilled I got the chance to check it out. The pathway for biking/wheeling is nicely done, easy to maneuver, and stunning in beauty (though it was an admittedly beautiful day when I was on the bridge). The bridge offers connections to the MCT Confluence Trail, Mississippi River Trail (Isn't it weird? I've been out of school 30+ years and I still sing the Mississippi song when I spell it), and the St. Louis Riverfront Trail. There's free parking on the Illinois side at the bridge entrance and also at North Riverfront Park. The Missouri side has a park with a pavilion, native habitats, an event lawn, and a gated parking lot (the event space opened in 2024). The bridge, no longer used by vehicles, is open daily for bikers/pedestrians (and wheelchairs).

This old bridge is an awesome piece of Americana history. It is about a 1 mile walk to get across…read morethe bridge. There are 2 castle looking buildings in the ole Mississippi that use to be the water source for the city of St Louis. I would recommend parking on the Missouri side as it has be recently redone. Nice parking lot with picnic tables and overhead protection from the sun. No running water but there are 2 porta potties under an awning. The Illinois side is not as pleasant.

Beware!!! Google maps will take you to the wrong location! I'm on your side Apple Maps, you never…read moredo me wrong! From the Vandalia State House, take 185/40 (N. Kennedy Blvd) north, turn left/west on W. Randolph Street, then right/north on N. Perkin's Street one block to W. St Clair Street. Turn left and it's up on the little hill on your right/north side. I absolutely love state capitals, which would lead me to enjoy past state capitals. I had been in rural Illinois a few times and always wondered what Vandalia had to offer being that it was second Illinois Capitol City (an oldest one still existing, unlike Kaskaskia which is now under water). I followed Vandalia's tourist page to the few landmarks that existed. One was what is called "Little Brick House". It's an n example of simple Italianate architecture that has been preserved by the Vandalia Historical Society. It is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and is thought to have been constructed in the mid 1800's. According to the website, "Josephine Burtschi, local artist and historian, was born in this house. In 1956 she purchased the house and started restoring it to its original appearance. Over the years, the Little Brick House has been renovated and furnished with period pieces, antiques, and early Vandalia artifacts. Contained within the six rooms are furniture, china, engravings and books acquired from descendants of state officers, legislators and the Ferdinand Ernst Colony who lived in Vandalia when it served as capital. The library, called the Berry-Hall room, pays tribute to James William Berry, the first talented artist of Illinois, and to Judge James Hall who established Vandalia as the first literary center west of Cincinnati. (http://www.vandaliaillinois.com/littlebrickhouse.html)" There's a little history for ya!

A Hidden Jewel in St. Louis - Don't Miss the Magic Chef Mansion!…read more What a historic gem! The Magic Chef Mansion is one of St. Louis' most stunning and best-kept secrets. If you haven't taken a tour, you are truly missing out. This architectural treasure offers a glimpse into another era--where craftsmanship, elegance, and timeless beauty meet. What makes it even more special is the incredible care and devotion of Shelly, the current owner and resident. It's amazing how she has lovingly restored the entire interior, tracking down original furniture, lighting fixtures, and period-appropriate details to bring this mansion back to its former glory. What an act of love--and one that every visitor can feel the moment they walk through the doors. Every room is a story, and the guided tour is filled with fascinating history, local lore, and exquisite details. Whether you're a St. Louis native or a visitor, this is an experience that belongs at the top of your list. The Magic Chef Mansion isn't just a tour--it's a living, breathing piece of art and history. Don't miss the chance to be a part of it.

This is a wonder!!!! Beautifully maintained and decorated mansion. Owner guided tour for our…read moregroup. Charge for tours but well worth seeing this amazing turn of the 20th century mansion.

"A person is smart, people are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it."…read more-Tommy Lee Jones as Kay in Men in Black (1997) This marker is in the east entrance of Saint Johns Cemetery and points out a dark time in our history. And it's not the first one of these that I've seen. People suck. It reads, "On April 5, 1918, German immigrant Robert Prager was hanged by a mob at this site. Prager's lynching was the high-water mark of the anti-immigrant and anti-German hysteria that gripped the nation during World War I. Persecution in the guise of patriotism was especially severe in the southern Illinois coal fields. Eleven men accused of the murder were promptly acquitted. For generations there was remorse in Collinsville over the town's failure to stop the mob and the lynching. One witness later said: "Nowhere appeared a sober, clear-headed man to say 'no' and make it stick. And so came violence, death, tragedy, and shame."" The marker was erected 2020 by the Prager Memorial Committee and the Illinois State Historical Society. The lane into the cemetery is wide enough to stop to read the marker. [Review 19965 overall - 163 in Illinois - 939 of 2023.]

Beautiful. The house is a piece of history I want to go through it in the fall. It is hidden in…read moreArnold unknown. I stumbled across it driving looking for a house for a friend. Can not wait to go through it

Docent lead tour of an amazing and well loved house. So well maintained with commitment and love…read more Our docent was so knowledgeable! No doubts about her love of this house and keeping this beauty around for all to enjoy!

I've been to about 150 Frank Lloyd Wright homes and have been lucky enough to have been inside…read morearound 30. We didn't know if we could get on the tour that day so we first stopped by to see it and take some pictures. We met an intern and found out that we could get in on a tour about 2 hours later. So we paid our fee and went to see Frank Lloyd Wright's mentor, Louis Sullivan's Wainwright Building in downtown St. Louis. I believe this is one of Sullivan's best work still standing. When we returned for the tour I was stunned. This is a great, late house by Wright that has many magical and playful elements to it. It's has most of the original furnishings and something totaling unexpected in a Usonian house--art glass windows. The tour guide was new and did an excellent. Everyone involved in this project should be very proud of the work they've done, and continue to do.

We joined a group of people to do a group tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright house in Kirkwood, MO. It…read moreis well worth the $20 tour fee. Anne was our docent. She was very knowledgeable about Wright and Russell and Ruth Kraus who the house was built for and the only residents. The Kraus house is one of the very few Wright houses that have not been remodeled and contains the original furniture designed by Wright. It has a cozy feel from the time you walk inside. I was intrigued by the esthetic design throughout the home.

There's not too much to say about this. It's a nice little square with some statues and plaques…read morethat mark the spot where Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln had their famous debate. It's well kept and interesting, and a neat place to stop on your way to somewhere else.

At the corner of Piasa and Broadway streets in Alton, lies this landmark that serves as a tribute…read moreto one of the most famous debates in U.S. history. Statues of Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln bring out a full picture of that event which took place on October 15, 1858. It was the seventh and final debate between the two men. Stephen Douglas was an incumbent Democrat who believed in state's rights, while a then-unknown Abraham Lincoln (a Whig-turned-Republican) argued that the United States can no longer survive on both slavery and free states. At the time, more than 5,000 people showed up. Lincoln lost to Douglas in the Senate race that year. He would eventually beat Douglas for the 1860 Presidency. Hopefully, you know what happened as a result of Lincoln's win. This is one of Alton's greatest historical landmarks, as one would know that the city pays great tribute to its heritage. Just outside the .25 acre square you'll find kiosks that talk about the event and how it shaped history. Also, from Thanksgiving (or last week of November) to Christmas, there is a huge Christmas tree planted between the statues. It is beautiful at night.

Noah, the host for the open housdid an excellent job showing us the Moon, Venus, Mars, Orion Nebula…read moreand the Christmas Tree Cluster. They will be having open houses every month through October 2023. You can find the schedule on their Facebook page. Noah encouraged everyone to ask questions and he shared a lot of information with the group. 9-23-2023 We were able to view Saturn and its rings before cloud cover washed out any more viewing.