Front holding page - do not edit.
Welcome to the Effingham County Museum
On November 11, 2012, the Effingham County Museum opened in the former Effingham County Courthouse. It took a lot of people to accomplish that tremendous task. Many local businesses and families supported us monitarily to help us get started. Others donated their time and talent by doing tasks such as painting, laying carpet, sanding floors, building a train room, and helping to restore the 2nd floor courtroom to its original beauty. Dr. Ruben Boyajian is working diligently to paint scenes from around Effingham County inside the dome of the second floor courtroom. We are grateful for all of those who helped us get started and who continue to support us. We all have worked together to preserve the building as well as to preserve our history and heritage.
The people from Effingham County, as well as many who no longer live here, reached out to us and started donating items. It was with their help that we were able to start making displays and telling the stories of Effingham County, Illinos. We have permanent displays and displays that change. Our goal is to ensure that we cover as many areas of Effingham County as possible.
We have given many tours to school groups, home extension groups, 4-H groups, and many others that allowed us to showcase the history of Effingham County. Specal hours and dates are also an option. Our train room is always a crowd pleaser. If you ask, we'll let you sound the train whistle!
We also have a regular lecture series during the months of November, December, January, February and March. Usually each lecture is held on the second Thursday of the those months starting at 7:00 PM. We do have an elevator for those who wish to use the East entrance. Extra lectures are also given throughout the year. Our Christmas Open House is usually on the first Sunday in December.from 2 PM to 4 PM.
We hope to see you at any or all of our special events. If you can't come in person, you can follow our Facebook page: Effingham County Courthouse Museum, Effingham, IL. On that page, we showcase a different township daily with pictures and stories. We also featute a veteran from our county daily.
The cuurent board members of the Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum Association are:
- Jane Ries (term 2026-2029) PRESIDFENT
- Phil Lewis (term 2025 -2028) VICE PRESIDENT
- LoElla Baker (term 2026-2029) SECRETARY-TREASURER
- Delaine Donaldson (term 2024-2027)
- Fred Johnson (term 2024-2027)
- Devin Walk (term 2025-2028)
- Allen Westendorf (term 2026-2029)
It is our goal to make the Effingham County Museum a living, breathing teaching tool for our county. WIth your help, we tell the stoires of Effingham County one picutre, one person and one place at a time. Come visit our Museum and see for yourself!
Jane Ries, President
Latest news
The National Register of Historic Places Plaque on the South Entry Post
When entering the Effingham County Museum, visitors notice the plaque located on one of the wooden pillars at the top of the enttry steps. The plaque indicates that the building is on the National Register of His
Hours & Location
100 E. Jefferson Ave.,
Effingham, IL 62401
Daytime Hours:
(January-February)- By appointment only and some special evening hours, TBA
Phone: 217.663.0821 to leave a message
(March through December)
Tuesday and Saturday 10 a.m-2 p.m.
Evening Hours:
6:00-7:00 p.m. on night of lecture series, November-March
Other times by appointment: Call (217)663-0821 to leave a message
ECCCMA Meeting Schedule
Board Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the court-house first floor courtroom. For information contact Jane Ries, President 217-821-2427
General Membership Meetings are held once a month of the second Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at the court-house first floor courtroom.
MISSON STATEMENT
Our MISSION is to preserve our Historic Register structure, to collect artifacts from county history, and to use them to educate our local and external communities, while immersed in the broader context of American history.
VISION STATEMENT
Our VISION is that the 1872 Effingham County Courthouse remains as an architectural gem that instills a sense of community pride and provides a venue to
educate and showcase the history, art, and transportation of Effingham County.
Get Involved
On November 11, 2012, the Museum opened its doors to the public. Currently there are exhibits on the first floor and the second floor. On the second floor there is exhibit space as well as room for lectures and other types of public gatherings.
© 2015 Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum Association, Inc.