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.
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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
Welcome to the
website in process of being updated
Hours of Operation
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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)
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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.
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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.
2024 Events
- Sat, Oct 12North UticaOct 12, 2024, 11:00 AM – Oct 13, 2024, 5:00 PMNorth Utica, 101 E Canal St, North Utica, IL 61373, USAOct 12, 2024, 11:00 AM – Oct 13, 2024, 5:00 PMNorth Utica, 101 E Canal St, North Utica, IL 61373, USAJoin the LaSalle County Historical Society for our 54th Annual Burgoo Festival. One of Northern Illinois largest and longest running Fall Festivals occurring every Columbus Day weekend. Our famous Burgoo Stew is slow cooked along the I & M Canal and served only on Sunday.
- Sat, Jun 08North UticaJun 08, 2024, 9:00 AM – Jun 09, 2024, 4:00 PMNorth Utica, 208 S Clark St, North Utica, IL 61373, USAJun 08, 2024, 9:00 AM – Jun 09, 2024, 4:00 PMNorth Utica, 208 S Clark St, North Utica, IL 61373, USAJoin the Utica Garden Club for their annual plant sale and vendor faire! The UGC will have plants, herbs, and flowers available for purchase and the LCHS Canal Market will host vendors with vintage, antique, plants, and garden themed vendors!
- Sat, May 25North UticaMay 25, 2024, 12:00 PM – May 26, 2024, 4:00 PMNorth Utica, 101 E Canal St, North Utica, IL 61373, USAMay 25, 2024, 12:00 PM – May 26, 2024, 4:00 PMNorth Utica, 101 E Canal St, North Utica, IL 61373, USAJoin the LaSalle County Historical Society as we celebrate the life and times of famous LaSalle County Native, Wild Bill Hickok. A live eight scene re-enactment of Wild Bill Hickok's life will take place 2pm on Saturday and Sunday.
- Sat, Apr 27North UticaApr 27, 2024, 11:00 AM – Apr 28, 2024, 5:00 PMNorth Utica, 210 S Clark St, North Utica, IL 61373, USA
LCHS Business Partners
"The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by
the compassionate actions of its members" -Coretta Scott King
Thank you to our local Business Members!
It is with your support that we are able to preserve local history!
LaSalle
EUREKA SAVINGS BANK
HARTAUER INSURANCE
LASALLE STATE BANK
XPO
Peru
DUFFYS AUTO SALES
EUREKA SAVINGS BANK
LASALLE STATE BANK
Mendota
EUREKA SAVINGS BANK
Utica
JOHN & RINA'S
LASALLE STATE BANK
LODI TAPHOUSE
THE ROCK AND SOUL
THE VILLAGE OF NORTH UTICA
UTICA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
BRUCE & OLLIES
STONEHEAD LEATHER
JOY N' EDS
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STREATOR
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Ottawa
DUFFYS AUTO SALES
CEDAR POINT
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MARSEILLES
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SENECA
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TONICA
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Oglesby
EUREKA SAVINGS BANK
STARVED ROCK MEDIA
EARLVILLE
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