C.H. Moore Homestead & DeWitt County Museum

C.H. Moore Homestead & DeWitt County Museum "To Preserve and Promote DeWitt County's History and Heritage"

Available in the Museum Gift Shop: Carrying the Colors. 🇺🇸 This book tells the remarkable, true story of Andrew Ja...
06/19/2026

Available in the Museum Gift Shop: Carrying the Colors. 🇺🇸
This book tells the remarkable, true story of Andrew Jackson Smith, an escaped slave who befriended Clinton's Colonel & Dr. John Warner during the Civil War. The index includes numerous pages about Warner, Clinton, Illinois, and DeWitt County as well as mention of Vespasian Warner. In the acknowledgements the authors note gratitude to John Warner IV who shared his family stories about Smith with the writers as well as local historian, Joey Woolridge Long, our museum director, who was helpful with research.

Our 2026 America 250 at the Homestead Quilt Show is one of the best we’ve ever hosted! When we put out a call for Americ...
06/18/2026

Our 2026 America 250 at the Homestead Quilt Show is one of the best we’ve ever hosted! When we put out a call for Americana-themed quilts, the community responded with incredible generosity. Fifty quilts (a significant number, as there are 50 states in the nation) loaned by local quilters, collectors, and keepers of family heirlooms - contemporary, vintage and heirloom pieces - are currently displayed throughout the C.H. Moore Homestead & DeWitt County Museum (219 E. Woodlawn in Clinton.) The variety of patterns, designs, and motifs is amazing, and every piece is truly one‑of‑a‑kind. It’s a beautiful way to celebrate America’s 250th year! The show can be viewed now through the end of the month during regular museum and gift shop hours. For more information about this and our other "America 250 at the Homestead" events (including hours, admission fees, location, and free events), visit chmoorehomestead.org, or call the museum at 217-935-6066. 🇺🇸

The second DeWitt County courthouse was “completed and received” in June of 1849. In celebration, the people of DeWitt ...
06/18/2026

The second DeWitt County courthouse was “completed and received” in June of 1849. In celebration, the people of DeWitt County gathered to enjoy a dinner and dance. C.H. Moore was present on that joyful occasion as was Richard Ogelsby (destined to one day be Governor of Illinois) who was the fiddler. The county was proud to have a proper 2-story brick structure in which to administer justice, worship, and meet as a community. However, by 1876, the courthouse was no longer large enough to serve in the intended capacity. In 1891, the structure was deemed unsafe and court was held in the opera house. This image from the DeWitt County Museum collection is currently on exhibit at the museum as are many others, all of which include informative captions. Tour the museum and enjoy our gallery wall filled with imafes of DeWitt County's past!

In 1867, the John Warner & Co. Bank was founded by Dr. John Warner and few business associates. This scene depicts the ...
06/18/2026

In 1867, the John Warner & Co. Bank was founded by Dr. John Warner and few business associates. This scene depicts the interior of the bank which was located on Clinton’s Public Square. Pictured here are Dr. Warner (left), Unknown (center), and John Lewis (right). On the rear wall, a framed portrait of the bank’s namesake can be seen. The original photograph is one of several in the museum's photograph collection.

In September of 1899, the Forepaugh & Sells Bros. Circus arrived in Clinton. Not long after, the menagerie circled the p...
06/17/2026

In September of 1899, the Forepaugh & Sells Bros. Circus arrived in Clinton. Not long after, the menagerie circled the public square. So large was the circus, it required seven acres of land on which to pitch their tents. Thus, plans were made for the show to take place on a parcel of land northeast of Clinton. The impromptu circus parade gave the people of Clinton an opportunity to welcome the circus to town and served as advertisement for the show. The gimmick certainly was effective, as it was reported that thousands witnessed the parade and attended the performances.
The original only-of-its-kind photograph (the one pictured here is a reproduction created for our gallery wall during our Picture Perfect Preservation Project) is mounted in a photo album containing several images of Clinton in the 1890's.

The C.H. Moore Homestead DeWitt County Museum welcomed a strong turnout on June 14 for the Classic American Car Show, on...
06/17/2026

The C.H. Moore Homestead DeWitt County Museum welcomed a strong turnout on June 14 for the Classic American Car Show, one of the many special events taking place throughout 2026 as part of “America 250 at the Homestead: Celebrating 250 Years of American History." More than 250 visitors attended the event, enjoying an impressive lineup of 58 vehicle entries spanning eight decades; from the 1940sthrough the 2020s. Guests explored the museum grounds while admiring classic, antique, vintage, and specialty vehicles that highlighted America’s enduring automotive heritage. The Best of Show trophy was awarded to Rodger Zook of Heyworth for his beautifully restored 1950 GMC pickup. The award was generously sponsored and presented by DeWitt County Museum Association Board of Directors member, Mike Spencer, of Spence’s Super Shine.
Free hot dog lunches were served by the DCMA Board of Directors and free ice cream was churned on site and donated by the Whitted's.
The Classic American Car Show is one of numerous programs taking place each month throughout 2026 as part of the museum’s year‑long America 250 celebration. Events include presentations, live music, family activities, horse-drawn carriage rides, special exhibits, and seasonal programs designed to honor the nation’s milestone year. These events are made possible through the efforts of the DeWitt County Museum Association and “America 250 at the Homestead” sponsors.
For more information about this or any upcoming America 250at the Homestead events, call 217‑935‑6066, visit chmoorehomestead.org,or follow C.H. Moore Homestead & DeWitt County Museum on Facebook.

The recently published Images of America book filled with images of DeWitt County's past would make a great Father's Day...
06/17/2026

The recently published Images of America book filled with images of DeWitt County's past would make a great Father's Day gift! It is available at the Museum Gift Shop and all proceeds directly benefit the museum! Regular museum and gift shop hours are Tuesdays-Saturdays 10am-5pm and 1pm to 5pm Sundays. Stop in and pick up a copy!

THANK YOU TO OUR AMERICA 250 AT THE HOMESTEAD SPONSORS Wagon Wheel Pumpkin Farm Save-A-Lot L...
06/14/2026

THANK YOU TO OUR AMERICA 250 AT THE HOMESTEAD SPONSORS
Wagon Wheel Pumpkin Farm
Save-A-Lot
Lance Schmid Auctions
Hammer Law
Calvert Funeral Home
DeWitt County Farm Bureau
Beta Sigma Phi
The George & Angela Williams Family
Toohill Seed & Beef
Helen N. Wilson
DeWitt Savings Bank
Clinton Auto Auction, Inc.
Ken May – May Farm est. 1855
Clinton Family Dental
Ann Belangee
Douglas Dodge
Floyd & Associates CPA’s
Gale & Karen Goble
Ted’s Garage
Sugg Enterprise
EMC Photography
Patrick Peterson of Three Ravens Graphics
Clinton Lake Vacation Rentals
The Ted & Ruth Lowers Family
First State Bank & Trust
Phillip & Ann Rybolt
Heartland Bank & Trust Co.
Guy C. Fraker of Lincoln’s Ladder
Thomas & Dee Dougherty
Pandemonium Studios, LLC
Steve & Nancy Stokowski
Moore & Warner Farm Real Estate
Kirby Foods
Millan/Petro McDonald’s Org.
Kwick – Wall
Anonymous Donor
The above sponsors have generously provided financial support which is helping the DeWitt County Museum Association bring our community together in celebration, strengthen local pride, and offer enriching experiences for families and individuals alike; from educational lectures to carriage rides; from live musical performances to ice cream socials; from harvest celebrations to Christmas gatherings; from a patriotic quilt show to a DeWitt County history book signing; free community hot dog lunches to an American classic car show, and beyond, throughout the year. Together, we are making "America 250 at the Homestead" a year to remember! 🇺🇸

Celebrate America 250! Special commemorative merchandise is available now (limited quantities) at the Museum Gift Shop....
06/13/2026

Celebrate America 250! Special commemorative merchandise is available now (limited quantities) at the Museum Gift Shop. These items are custom-made in DeWitt County. All sales directly benefit the museum. 🇺🇸

Address

219 East Woodlawn Street
Clinton, IL
61727

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Telephone

+12179356066

Website

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