Preserving History for Future Generations
Welcome to our webpage!
Free admission to the museum!
Our purpose is to discover and preserve important artifacts and information related to one of the oldest counties in Illinois! Formed in 1816, Pope County is in the southeastern corner of Illinois.
Our museum in Golconda has several different collections throughout the various parts of our building. The large front room is devoted to county history including a variety of artifacts donated by various families through the years. This room also features the work of many local artists as well as portraits of prominent Pope Countians.
Among the most interesting exhibits is a mammoth tusk discovered along the Ohio River, an old Studebaker wagon, an egg crate machine, and a copper still.
A military exhibit area with items ranging form the War of 1812 to current times and a research library make up the rear section of the museum.
There is a schoolroom area and a meeting area. Several exhibits in the middle section of the museum deal with mercantile businesses in the county.
There is a sizeable collection of tokens which were used for trading at general stores in the Pope County communities. There are also several mercantile ledgers from various businesses.
Pictures of various graduating classes from Pope County High School adorn the hallway and other areas. Stop by and visit with us on weekends from April to November.
Free admission to the museum!
Donations accepted.
The county roads have been drastically improved since 1935.
