ALTON MUSEUM OF HISTORY & ART, INC – Located on the campus of SIU Dental College, Loomis Hall, 2809 College Avenue, cross street Seminary, Alton, Illinois 62002. The Museum is managed by a Board of Directors. The Museum is supported by admissions, membership, donations and memorials. Alton Museum of History & Art receives no tax money. Alton Museum is staffed entirely by volunteers.

Visitors to the Museum may park on the SIU Campus parking lot, on Seminary Road, behind the Museum. The Museum has public facilities.

EXHIBITS INCLUDE: Robert Pershing Wadlow Room; the video “Life of Robert”; Piasa Bird; Pioneer Room exhibits include: Log Cabin Living; Civil War & Lincoln; Senator Lyman Trumbull; Elijah P. Lovejoy; Black History; Underground Railroad. The Alton Room exhibits includes: Alton’s Manufacturing, Early Education, Ice Cutting Equipment, General Store, Owens Illinois Bottles, and 19th Century Toys. The Transportation Room tells the story of transportation as Alton grew from steamboats, horse & buggy to trains and cars, Blacksmith Shop Exhibit, Riverboat Cabin Exhibit and a mural painting of the Alton River Bluff in the early 1800’s by Dycie Madson.

In the Grace Monroe Classroom & East Gallery is temporary Art Exhibits by local artists.

ROBERT P. WADLOW BIRTH HOME – Located on the campus of SIU Dental College, street parking on College Avenue. There are no public facilities. Managed by Alton Museum of History & Art, Inc., the plan is to refurbish and open the birth home to the public.

ROBERT PERSHING WADLOW STATUE – Located on the campus of SIU College, street parking on College Avenue. There are no public facilities. Benches are on the statue site. ROCKIN’ n ROBERT – a musical presentation is presented on site, during the summer months.

The museum was founded in 1971 as a non for profit organization which depends on membership dues, gifts, bequests, and foundation grants to help preserve and tell the story of the individuality of the community which it serves. It illustrates the aesthetic interests and accomplishments of its citizens (the arts) and reflects the story of the development and the achievement of that community (the history). The museum is not supported by state taxes or county taxes or city taxes.