Western Illinois Museum

The Western Illinois Museum nurtures our history and culture

The mission of the Western Illinois Museum is to nurture our history and culture. The Museum was founded in 1974 by the Western Illinois University. A new chapter began in 2002 when it became a 501(c)3 and relocated to downtown Macomb opening in an old automobile garage. The building, in need of repair, was purchased in partnership with the City of Macomb. Our exhibits and programs are designed to engage visitors; an example is the popular Our Front Porch exhibit and program space. Housed inside the Museum and designed like a traditional porch, it is an approachable space where we can pass down our history and culture. Our Front Porch displays artifacts typically found on a porch and can become a stage for public programs. Like this example, the goal of our exhibits and programs is to offer an informal, multi-generational educational experience to foster a connection to the past and those who are right beside us. We incorporate this type of engagement in other types of programs such as drop-in workshops, storytelling and open mic programs, volunteer sessions, and community conversations.