Last updated: 1/5/2018
Lockport, Illinois
Street Address
803 S. State StLockport, IL 60441
Mailing Address
803 S. State StreetLockport, IL 60441
phone: 815-838-5080
e-mail: info@willhistory.org
web: www.willhistory.org

Hours

Private group tours available by appointment
Sunday, Wednesday - Saturday
12 PM - 4 PM
Closed end of December-mid February

Admissions

Donations are greatly appreciated.

Free. Donations Accepted.

Staff

Sandy Vasko
phone: 815-838-5080
Brian Conroy
phone: 815-838-5080
Description

In 1837, the town of Lockport was laid out by the Illinois and Michigan Canal commissioners, and an office was constructed and became headquarters for administrative of the waterway. The office played a central role in the design, financing, and construction of the I & M Canal, which connected the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico. The canal extended ninety-six miles from the south branch of the Chicago River near Lake Michigan to the Illinois River at LaSalle-Peru, and was in operation from 1848 to 1914.

In 1876, a residence for the Canal Superintendent was added to the office building, and a bank vault was installed in the administration office to store canal records. It later served as headquarters for the Sanitary and Ship Canal. In 1972, the building was recognized by the National Park Service with a listing on the National Register of Historic Places. This building is now operated by the Will County Historical Museum and Research Center, and is part of the I & M Canal National Heritage Area.

Mission

The Will County Historical Society exists so that people and organizations may be connected to the rich history of Will County, Illinois.

Artifact Collections

We possess:

-Multiple 19th century buildings arranged in our Heritage Village
-Dr. William Dougall's Victorian era office
-Militaria of Will County from Native American through the Korean War
-20th century kitchen artifacts
Research Collections

We possess:

- Ancestry.com
- Early 20th Century Will County African American Genealogical Records
- Obituaries
- School year books
- Mortgages
- Cemetery books
- Thousands of photographs
- Canal, County, and Court records
- Church records
- Local newspapers on microfilm
- Architectural surveys
- Photographs
- Plat maps
- Blueprints
- Miscellaneous correspondence
- Mortgages
- Chattel mortgages
- Civil War histories
- E J & E Employee List
Educational Programs

Please contact the museum for program costs.

The educational programs we provide are:

-Exhibitions
-Docent training
-Gallery tours
-Community lectures
Governance

The museum is operated under the umbrella of the Will County Historical Society Board of Directors.

Library
Access: General Public, Students, Scholars, Members
Appointment required: No
Services
Gift Shop Surprises:

Books/Publications

Children's items: - Church dolls - Native American and settler toys and games

Collectible items - Canal Days collector plates - Hand made bonnets, aprons, towels, and crafts - Hand carved wooden plaques - Blacksmith created items

Gift Shop
Group Tours
ADA
Parking
Restrooms
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
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MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Museum Trustee Association Spring Forum 2024

April 10 - 14, 2024

Atlanta, Georgia

Texas Association of Museums 2024 Lubock Annual Conference

April 14 - 17, 2024

Lubbock, Texas

2024 Colorado-Wyoming ANNUAL MEETING

May 1 - 4, 2024

Worland, Wyoming

West Virginia Association of Museums 2024 Conference

June 6 - 8, 2024

Shepherdstown, West Virginia

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