Art Culture & Heritage

The West Franklin County Museum is located in a former Mulkeytown school building. It contains artifacts, memorabilia, and hundreds of photographs, which depict lifestyles and the people from the early days of Franklin County. The one room school house display, the train room, and a rock and mineral collection are each a special interest. 

It has a large multi-purpose area where community groups come together for fundraisers and fun. The meals and seasonal craft fairs are all refreshing events that have a feel of the past and shows off this local community's pride, fellowship and willingness to work. The West Franklin County Museum is only 1 mile from the Silkwood Inn Museum. Make 1 trip and visit 2 museums, just call ahead to schedule.

Admission Free / Donations Accepted

Call to schedule a tour or to check event schedules and seasonal hours.

Please verify before travel. This information is provided as a courtesy and is subject to change.

The West Franklin County Museum is only 10 miles southwest of beautiful Rend Lake, just south of IL-14 on IL-184.

Come see pioneer architecture and building techniques in this log cabin, still standing today. It was built in 1825 by Nathaniel Jones. This rustic, "as is" log cabin is almost 200 years old. While it has recently received maintenance repairs to the roof and front porch, it has not been remodeled or updated. The log cabin has no electricity or running water. It is sparsely furnished but does have an old unique upright piano. The stairs to the second story are rough and narrow. Be careful when visiting. This authentic log cabin is not like other museums or recreations. It has no safety additions. 

Admission is free and donations are accepted. Open by appointment only. Call to schedule a tour. 

Please verify before travel. This information is provided as a courtesy and is subject to change.

The Thompsonville Historic Museum is only 15 miles southeast of Rend Lake, just off IL State Highway 14.

The Veterans Museum Depot is a restored C&I railroad depot filled with memorabilia from the Civil War to Desert Storm. It has uniforms of all branches of service, a purple heart, horse saddles from World War I, insignias & patches, gas masks, a World War II communication system and many other items on display. Many young boys of the Rend Lake area left from this depot to go to war.

Admission Free / Donations Accepted

Call or check website for seasonal hours.

Please verify before travel. This information is provided as a courtesy and is subject to change.

The Veterans Museum Depot is only 10 miles south of Rend Lake, on IL State Highway 149.

The original building was constructed in 1910 as a Ford franchise and garage. It has been restored to its original condition and still has 2 sets of garage pulley systems that were used to power several mechanical devices. It has vintage signs and a clock-face gas pump. The list of vintage cars includes a 1912 Model T "Huckster" that belonged to gangster, Charlie Birger, the last convicted criminal to be hanged in Illinois, a 1914 Model T Touring Vehicle, a 1916 Dort Automobile, a 1926 Model T "Doctor's Coup" Automobile, a 1928 Chevrolet Roadster, a 1931 Hupmobile, a carriage from the 1880s and more. 

Admission Free / Donations Accepted

Call or check website for seasonal hours. Please verify before travel. This information is provided as a courtesy and is subject to change.

The 1910 Franklin County Garage & Auto Museum is only 5 miles south of Rend Lake and just North of the Benton Square on IL 37 and 14.

" George Comes to Benton - 1963." This mural installation commemorates the first visit by a Beatle to America several months ahead of the British rock group's big splash in the US. It is located along Interstate 57 north of Benton.