Historical Village, Museum
and Nature Trail
The complex is conveniently located near downtown Mount Vernon, IL
The Museum and the Village with its buildings and their contents, reflect life in Jefferson County from the mid 19th century to more recent years. Among the furnished buildings one finds homes of the 19th century, a one-room school, a log church and log jail, operating blacksmith and print shops, merchandise in the general store and a variety of medical equipment from a foot-treadle dentist's drill to a Civil War amputation kit in the Medical Building.
The Museum currently houses exhibits of the history of telephones and weaving, of military personnel and their lives from the Civil War to the current armed forces, from fellowship in the entertainment center and soda fountain area as well as collections donated by Jefferson County residents.
Village
The village contains both original buildings and restorations primarily from the late 1800’s through the early 1900’s. Among the buildings and exhibits are:
- operating printing shop
- log homes
- log church
- 1820 calaboose (jail)
- windmill & grist mill
- working blacksmith shop
Schweinfurth Museum
The museum currently contains a variety of exhibits ranging from telephone equipment to a display of military uniforms and flags dating from the Spanish American War
Nature Trail
Two different trails are available. A nature trail winds though a wooded area beside a stream (when not in a drought). The trail ends at Old Union cemetery where there are graves of early settlers.
The second trail is through grassland. Timeline markers have been installed to provide a sense of perspective. It integrates local history into world events
Village Hours
Weekend Entertainment Schedule
Open from the first weekend in May through the last weekend in October
| Saturday | 10am to 4pm |
| Sunday | 1pm to 4pm |
Admission is free. (Donations accepted!)
A majority of the buildings are handicapped accessible
Guided weekday tours of the village are available. Tours must be scheduled in advance.
Directions
