About Us
Our three-acre site includes the Cheney Mansion, Lone Star School, Union Forest Church, three log cabins, as well as our Genealogy Research Center and Museum. The Flautt Addition of our museum houses many interesting artifacts and collections, including an extensive collection of Native American relics and a mammoth bone and tooth.
The predecessor of the Jersey County Historical Society, the Greene and Jersey County Old Settlers Association was founded in 1871 and was dedicated to preserving the history of the pioneers in this area. To qualify as a member, you must have settled in Greene or Jersey County before 1847. This guaranteed the organization’s eventual demise.
On Sept. 9, 1909, a meeting was held at the Jersey County courthouse to organize the Jersey County Historical Society. The organization’s first official event was held the following August to celebrate the 71st anniversary of the founding of Jersey County.
Over the years, the society’s collection of historical documents and artifacts has been housed at several locations – including the basement of the Jerseyville Library, the Joe Knight house in Dow, and the Gledhill House on North Lafayette. In 1998, Clayton Brown and Richard McCauley purchased the Cheney Mansion and donated it to the society, and it became our permanent location.
We hope you’ll visit us at 601 North State Street in Jerseyville.
Jersey County Historical Society
601 N. State St.
Jerseyville, IL 62052
618-498-3514