Last updated: 8/30/2011
Alton, Illinois
Address
2809 College Avenue
Alton, IL 62002

Hours

Loomis Hall
Wednesday - Saturday
10 AM - 4 PM
Sunday
1 PM - 4 PM

Admissions

Adults $5.00
Children $1.00

Museum Type(s)

Art

Staff

Charlene Gill
phone:
Dr. Norman Showers
phone:
Brian Combs
phone:
Cathy Bagby
phone:
John Langley
phone:
Description

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.

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.

History

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.

Educational Programs

CTIVITIES/EVENTS:
1. Black History Month – February
2. Women’s History Month – March
3. Miles Davis Jazz Celebration – May
4. Elijah P. Lovejoy Week - November

Services
Gift Shop
Online Gift Shop
Group Tours
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
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MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

February 5 - 7, 2025

Milledgeville, Georgia

Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

February 17 - 19, 2025

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2025 California Association of Museums Conference

February 18 - 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

Virginia Association of Museum's 2025 Annual Conference!

March 15 - 18, 2025

Blacksburg, Virginia

2025 Am Assoc for State and Local History Annual Conference

September 10 - 13, 2025

Cincinnati, Ohio

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