Located at the corner of Columbus Ave & Main St, Golconda, IL
The Pope County Historical Society Museum is open April - November Saturday 9a - 3:30p & Sunday 1p - 3:30.
Admission is free - Donations are appreciated
Our purpose is to discover and preserve important artifacts and information related to one of the oldest counties in Illinois.
The Pope County Historical Society Museum is housed in the once Watson's Hardware Store, built in 1906 by W.S. Watson. The building, a historical George L Mesker & Company storefront building. Mesker's were manufactures and designers of ornamental sheet-metal facades and cast-iron storefronts.
photo - William & Edward Watson
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.
Some of our many artifacts on display include -
- Mammoth tusk discovered on the Ohio River at Golconda in 1926
- an old Studebaker wagon
- an egg crate machine
- a copper still
- exhibits with various mercantile business items and ledgers from the county
- collection of tokens used for trading at general stores in the Pope County communities
- a military exhibit area with items ranging from the War of 1812 to current times
- a schoolroom area
- Pictures of many graduating classes from Pope County High School
