Canal Warehouse Utica, IL _June 2023_Doc

LaSalle County Historical Society

The LaSalle County Historical Society's campus is located on the banks of the historic Illinois & Michigan Canal, and is situated in the quaint village of Utica, Illinois. Neighbor to the beautiful Starved Rock State Park, with an annual attendance of 2.2 to 2.8 million, we are at the heart of one of Illinois’ top tourism destinations! Utica is easily accessible and conveniently located near where Interstates 80 and 39 meet.

The campus consists of our Canal Warehouse, Heritage Center, Canal Market, Blacksmith Shop/Barn, and One-Room Schoolhouse. The society also holds several events throughout the year, most notably our Annual Burgoo Festival and our Wild Bill Hickok Days.

Discover the rich history of LaSalle County

Plan your visit today!

Welcome to the

website in process of being updated

Hours of Operation

Our Museum Complex is open to the public Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 12-4pm.

We also open by appointment Monday - Thursday, kindly email us at

office@lasallecountyhistoricalsociety.org

(two weeks prior notice is needed for staffing)

Admissions

Visiting the LCHS Museum Campus is free- we charge no admissions fee. In return, we ask that you consider making a donation while enjoying the many exhibits and buildings that house our local history! It is these donations which keep our museum doors open to the public.

Schedule a Weekday Tour!

Special Exhibits & Programs

The Civil War & LaSalle County

March 9 through October 5, 2025 during museum hours.

A special exhibit on LaSalle County's role in the Civil War. Special regional & local memorabilia including flags, currency, and local soldiers stories. This exhibit takes up the entire second floor of our Heritage Center.

The Grand Kaskaskia Village

Program by Mark Walczynski

May 10, 2025

1pm

Kaskaskia, as it was called by the 17th century French, was a large Illinois Indian village located along the north bank of the Illinois River, about a mile upstream (east) of Starved Rock. This program looks at the people who lived at the village and details some of the most important historical events that occurred at the site.

Submarines Down the Illinois River

Program by Joe Tokarz

July 26, 2025

1pm

How many submarines have come down the IL River? Of the 28 Manitowoc Submarines built, 25 went to war - 4 never came home. The USS Chicago Base of the US Submarine Veterans Inc. has put Manitowoc Submarine memorials in Chicago, Morris and Joliet

LaSalle County Sheriff's Exhibit

January 16 through October 5, 2025 during museum hours.

Discover the rich history of the LaSalle County's Sheriff's office. From the Mounted Horseback Posse to stories prohibition, tommy guns and of coarse Al Capone! Special exhibit located on the first floor of our Heritage Center.

LCHS Publications:

Upcoming Offerings

LaSalle County: The Rivers & The Prairies

Written and researched by Amanda Bell-Spitzer, this 462-page book examines LaSalle County's rich history from pre-history to 1991. Featuring a classic design, this hardcover book contains interesting local stories sure to please any history lover!

Union Men, Brave and True

With information compiled and written by Civil War historian James Huffstodt, this 56-page full-color magazine explores LaSalle County's role in the Civil War. The magazine highlights many of those LaSalle County residents who fought for the Union on the frontlines and the aftermath of the War at home.

Order these Upcoming Titles Today

2025 Events

Antiquin' Weekend

April 26-27, 2025

11-5pm

Join the LCHS Canal Market at our 5th Annual Antiquin' Weeeknd in the quaint Village of North Utica!! Vintage and Antique Vendors will be set up with their unique treasures.

More Info Here!

UGC Garden Faire &

Plant Sale

June 7-8, 2025

9-4pm

Utica Garden Club will be selling Perennials & assorted plants in addition to gardening themed vendors at our Canal Market!

More Info Here!

Wild Bill Hickok Days

May 31 - June 1, 2025

The LaSalle County Historical Society invites you to join us for a weekend filled with family fun and entertainment celebrating LaSalle County's most famous native, Wild Bill Hickok. An 8 scene reenactment as well as an 80 minute live arena show will be sure to captivate the family!

More Info Here!

Utica Craft Brew Bazaar & Food Truck Event

August 23, 2025

Join over 20 craft beer vendors on the streets of downtown Utica! Tickets available through the Utica Fire Department. In addtion there will be food trucks set up at the Canal Market!

E.B. Thornton Endowment

The LaSalle County Historical Society announced a $25,000 Endowment has been established in memory of local historian, preservationist and long-time supporter of the Historical Society, Edmund B. Thornton. The Endowment, received from the Edmund B. Thornton Foundation, will be used for reimbursement of compensation paid for interns.

The Officers and Board of Directors along with the Staff and Members of the Society are honored to have received this generous gift from Susan and Taylor Thornton, the wife and daughter of Edmund, on behalf of the Thornton Foundation.

Beginning in 2025, the Society will utilize endowment funds to hire interns who will assist in the collection, preservation, and education of LaSalle County history. College students studying history, or a related subject will have priority in filling these part-time or short-term paid positions. Important duties such as assisting with collections research & digitization projects, drafting articles, and helping with Museum events are examples of jobs interns perform.

Intern Application