Preserving History for Future Generations


 
 
Welcome to our webpage!
  Free admission to the museum!  
We are located at 112 N Columbus Ave, Golconda, Illinois
 
Our purpose is to discover and preserve important artifacts and information related to one of the oldest counties in Illinois! Formed in 1816, Pope County is in the southeastern corner of Illinois.
 
Our museum in Golconda has several different collections throughout the various parts of our building. The large front room is devoted to county history including a variety of artifacts donated by various families through the years. This room also features the work of many local artists as well as portraits of prominent Pope Countians.
 
Among the most interesting exhibits is a mammoth tusk discovered along the Ohio River, an old Studebaker wagon, an egg crate machine, and a copper still.
 
A military exhibit area with items ranging form the War of 1812 to current times and a research library make up the rear section of the museum.
 
There is a schoolroom area and a meeting area. Several exhibits in the middle section of the museum deal with mercantile businesses in the county.
 
There is a sizeable collection of tokens which were used for trading at general stores in the Pope County communities. There are also several mercantile ledgers from various businesses.
 
Pictures of various graduating classes from Pope County High School adorn the hallway and other areas. Stop by and visit with us on weekends from April to November.
 
Pope County Illinois Circuit Court Records
The indexes are available on this website. 
The records hold valuable information about your ancestors. 
Example:
__________________________________________
 
Buel House in Golconda, Illinois
Check out our new page on this website:  
 
  Free admission to the museum!  
Donations accepted.
 
 
 
The county roads have been drastically improved since 1935.
 

Upcoming Events
January 28, 2025
6:00 pm
Six Years in Illinois Territory
Presenter is Ed Annable who will talk about his book Six Years in Illinois Territory.

February 25, 2025
6:00 pm
The Old Soldier Reservation
Presenter is Mark Motsinger

March 25, 2025
6:00 pm
Medical and Funeral Advances in The Civil War
Presenter is Anthony Fleege

April 22, 2025
6:00 pm
Removing the Sheets - Ku Klux Klan in Southern Illinois
Presenter is Darrel Dexter.

August 26, 2025
6:00 pm
Dept of Defense MIA Recovery Mission
Presenter is Krist Thodoropolous.

Facts and Tips
On 25 June 1816, Silvey, a 24 year-old Negro servant of John Morris was indentured to him for a period of 40 years for a payment of $400.00. This was the first of several such registrations entered at the courthouse in Pope County.
[Did you know?]

Pope County was created on 10 December 1816 from Gallatin and Johnson Counties. The first permanent settlement in what became Pope County was the modern-day site of Golconda in 1798.
[Did you know?]

The community of Miller Grove east of Glendale was founded by freedman who came to Pope County in 1844. The Miller Grove Cemetery is believed to be the first all black cemetery in Illinois. Life in the community revolved around Mt. Gilead Methodist Church and the school. The last family left the area in 1925 and archaeological excavations in recent years have been undertaken by Southern Illinois University. Oral histories passed down indicate that families from the community were involved in the Underground Railroad.
[Did you know?]