Preserving History for Future Generations


 
 
Welcome to our webpage!
 Free admission to the museum!  
We are located at 112 N Columbus Ave, Golconda, Illinois
 
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.
 
Pope County Illinois Circuit Court Records
The indexes are available on this website. 
The records hold valuable information about your ancestors. 
Example:
__________________________________________
 
Buel House in Golconda, Illinois
Check out our new page on this website:  
 
  Free admission to the museum!  
Donations accepted.
 
 
 
The county roads have been drastically improved since 1935.
 

Upcoming Events
February 24, 2026
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
War in Copperhead Egypt-The War within Southern Illinois 1861-1865
Historian Ed Annable will present War in Copperhead Egypt - The War within Southern Illinois 1861-1865

March 24, 2026
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Hamlet Ferguson
Historian Gillum Ferguson will present a program on Hamlet Ferguson, early political figure in Pope County and founder of Hamletsburg in southern Pope County.

April 28, 2026
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Miller Grove and the Underground Railroad
Mary McCorvie will present on the community of Miller Grove and the Underground Railroad in Pope County.

May 26, 2026
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
How to use the PCHS Website and Pope County Resources
Genealogist Rick Allen and members of the Pope County Historical Society will demonstrate how to navigate the Society's website, access resources, and discuss other historical ...

June 23, 2026
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Revolutionary War Soldiers in Southern Illinois
Historian Darrel Dexter will discuss the Revoluntionary Soldiers who came to Illinois

Facts and Tips
The Trail of Tears entered Illinois at Berry's Ferry in Golconda and passed along the trail James Lusk had earlier established past Allen Springs about a mile southwest of present day Dixon Springs.
[Did you know?]

In 1887 Phil Craig and Sim V. Clanahan started the Enterprise and in 1889 purchased the Herald, consolidating the two papers into the Herald-Enterprise. The paper now owned by Sandra Cowsert is still publishing news of Pope County.
[Did you know?]

In 1913 the Herald -Enterprise carried an announcement that the Golconda Public Library will open its doors. The Golconda Woman's Club had worked to raise funds to purchase the 100 volumes which formed the nucleus of the holdings. The present building was dedicated in 1951. It is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in the history of Pope County or its families.
[Did you know?]