Kankakee County Museum

05/13/2026

This handmade tool was used to measure iron rims that were later applied to wagon's wheels. The blacksmith rolled the tool around the circumference of the wooden wheel, transferring the measurement to a length of stap iron. The iron was heated and then slippedc onto the wheel. When it cooled it would shrink and tightly grip the wheel. David Bradley Manufacturing Company

05/13/2026

We love our returning food vendors! & We know you will TOO! Stop by for free entertainment, great food, and local shopping this Sunday, May 17th from 10am to 4pm

Join us at the Annual Rubarb Festival in Kankakee IL this Sunday 5/17 from 10am until 4pm or until we are sold out!!!!!!

05/11/2026

🎨 Art is coming to the museum!

The annual Kankakee Art League Art Show will be on display at the Kankakee County Museum during this year’s Rhubarb Festival weekend, bringing together talented local artists and a wide variety of creative works for the community to enjoy.

From paintings and drawings to mixed media and more, this exhibit is a wonderful chance to experience the creativity and talent found right here in Kankakee County. The Kankakee Art League has long supported and encouraged local artists, helping keep the arts thriving in our community.

Make time to stop in, explore the artwork, and support local artists while enjoying all the fun of Rhubarb Fest. Admission is free, and all are welcome!

🖼️ Come celebrate local art, local history, and community creativity with us!

05/10/2026

✨ Come experience the Kankakee County Museum’s 1st Annual Tablescapes Exhibit! ✨

Beginning June 4 through June 27, explore beautifully decorated tables created by local nonprofits, small businesses, and families, each designed to celebrate the heart of our community. From creative themes to unique personal touches, every display tells a story.

Visitors are invited to walk through the exhibit and vote for their favorite tablescapes in our community competition! 🏆

Make it part of your June plans and stop by during regular museum hours, Thursday through Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM, with special hours on Kankakee Day, June 21.

Come support local creativity, celebrate community, and be part of our newest museum tradition! 🎉

05/08/2026

This photo shows a convertible decorated with signs advertising for a concert by The U.S. Navy Band at the Kankakee Armory on May 8, 1948 (which was 78 years ago, today). Take a look at the large PA system speaker in the back seat.

05/07/2026

🎺 More Live Music at the 36th Annual Rhubarb Festival! 🎶

We’re excited to welcome the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet to this year’s Rhubarb Fest on May 17th, performing in the Column Garden from 1:30pm to 2:30pm!

Featuring talented local symphony musicians, this brass quintet brings a lively mix of classical favorites, familiar melodies, and rich brass harmonies that are sure to make for a memorable afternoon in the garden.

Take a break, grab your favorite rhubarb treat, and enjoy an hour of beautiful live music in one of the museum’s most charming spaces. We’ll see you there! 🌿🎺

05/07/2026

This episode of This One Time in Kankakee explores a pivotal moment in local history: the October 1872 fire that destroyed the county's first permanent courthouse. Drawing on historical research by Jack Klasey of the Kankakee County Museum, the narrative reconstructs the events of a windy Friday nig...

05/06/2026

The water tower of the Eastern Illinois Hospital for the Insane, July 1899. Illinois Eastern State Hospital, south of Kankakee; built 1870s. Renamed in 1910 as Kankakee State Hospital; now Shapiro Developmental Center.