Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum

06/20/2026

We are so excited to announce the release of our second historical documentary "John Hossack - No Apologies"! The documentary will be shown July 7-12, 2026 nightly at 6 pm, and there will be 2pm matinees on Saturday and Sunday, Tickets are $10 AND AVAILABLE AT THE MUSEUM (1100 Canal St, Ottawa, IL.) We are grateful to the Illinois Arts Council for their grant support for this project,

06/10/2026

06/10/2026

06/10/2026

This coming Friday, June 12,2026, you wull be afforded the opportunity to partake of a unique event in OTTAWA, IL. Chris Vallillo, the superb musician who provided the background music for our Wallace documentary, will present his music for our second soon-to-be-release documentary about Ottawa’s John Hossack and the runaway slave Jim Gray. Come, step back in time with me and. and listen to tales of Lilongwe ago. Tickets are $10 and available at the door of The Abbey!!

06/10/2026

Chris Freiler is publishing a three-part essay series titled "What the Ground Remembers," on the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858. The series is not a survey - it is an argument for why these exchanges still matter. Part 1 is out now, look for parts 2 and 3 over the next few weeks.

06/10/2026

John Hossack: No Apologies is a riveting story set in LaSalle Count...

05/28/2026

🎉 GRAND OPENING THIS SATURDAY! 🎉

The Ottawa Farmers & Makers Market is back for an exciting new season, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone out for Opening Day this Saturday! 🌽🛍️☀️

Join us as we kick off the market with fresh produce, handmade goods, baked treats, local vendors, unique crafts, and so much more from amazing local farmers and makers. There’s something for everyone to enjoy!

✨ Ribbon Cutting at 8:00 AM
📍 Come shop local, support small businesses, and enjoy a great morning in the community!

Bring your family, friends, and neighbors and help us celebrate the start of another wonderful market season. We can’t wait to see you there! ❤️

02/25/2026

Reminder- tomorrow, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 25, 2026 is a WALLACE WEDNESDAY. We will show our documentary Forgotten Valor at 6pm at Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum, 1100 Canal St, Ottawa OL. $10 ea. Join us!