Macon County History Museum and Prairie Village

Macon County History Museum and Prairie Village The Historical Society/Museum provides a forum for public knowledge through the operation of its mus

The Macon County Historical Society had its birth on May 25, 1916, when twelve people met in the Decatur Public Library, adopted a constitution, and elected temporary officers. In August 1916 there was an appeal to members at the Old Settlers' Picnic for any items of historical interest. The Society had plans "to establish a library of local and state history, to maintain a museum, and to cultivat

e the historic sense and diffuse knowledge upon these subjects by meeting and publications." On more than one occasion over the years the Society became inactive and then reorganized. In 1962 several local citizens met to discuss the reactivation of the Society, with meetings being held in Decatur's old Carnegie Library until the Society purchased the old North Cumberland Presbyterian Church to establish their new museum and a meeting place. The current location of the Society's Museum and Prairie Village complex in the former Excelsior South School was dedicated in 1979 on the 150th anniversary of the founding of both the city of Decatur and Macon County.

04/02/2026

***UPDATE *** The museum will now be open tomorrow, April 3rd, for our normal business hours of 1-4.

The Macon County History Museum will be Closed Friday April 3rd for Easter Holiday...

***UPDATE***The exhibit will now be open to the public all 5 days instead of the original post of March 13-15.New dates ...
02/24/2026

***UPDATE***
The exhibit will now be open to the public all 5 days instead of the original post of March 13-15.
New dates are March 10-15.

Come and check out our program on the Tuskegee Airmen and WASP (Women's Airforce Service Pilots), March 10-15. The fully...
02/04/2026

Come and check out our program on the Tuskegee Airmen and WASP (Women's Airforce Service Pilots), March 10-15. The fully functional mobile movie theater features two compelling original short RISE ABOVE films that tell the story of the Tuskegee Airmen or the WASP, and the obstacles they both overcame to be able to serve their country during WWII.
See below for more details.

01/28/2026

We have currently been without phone and internet. A temporary internet solution is in place now, but we will be without phone service for the unforeseeable future. Please contact the museum through Facebook or via email, at [email protected]

Send a message to learn more

01/28/2026

Just letting everyone know that the internet & phone system is down at the museum until Feb 3rd, thank you!...

Send a message to learn more

01/06/2026

The Macon County History Museum will be closed January 6 until February 3.

Send a message to learn more

A photo I colorized of Decatur's Central Parks first fountain, "10 gallon LiL" along with a great bio article.
12/03/2025

A photo I colorized of Decatur's Central Parks first fountain, "10 gallon LiL" along with a great bio article.

The staff of the Macon County History Museum would like to wish you all a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING!.....
11/27/2025

The staff of the Macon County History Museum would like to wish you all a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING!.....

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — While we usually celebrate pilgrims and Indigenous people at Thanksgiving, we have the 16th President Abraham Lincoln to thank for its status as a national holiday.…

11/26/2025

The Macon County History Museum will be closed on November 27-28 for observance of Thanksgiving. We will resume normal hours on Saturday, November 29.

Send a message to learn more

The Blue Mill was a great place to eat. This is a poster I made several years ago, complete with photos and historical d...
10/23/2025

The Blue Mill was a great place to eat. This is a poster I made several years ago, complete with photos and historical details. Courtesy of

The Macon County History Museum would like to thank Steve Connelly and Lakeside Tree Service for grinding some old tree ...
10/15/2025

The Macon County History Museum would like to thank Steve Connelly and Lakeside Tree Service for grinding some old tree stumps out for us, great job fellas, thanks again!....

Address

5580 N Fork Road
Decatur, IL
62521

Telephone

+12174224919

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Macon County History Museum and Prairie Village posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category