All war museums to visit in Illinois

Explore the history and impact of conflicts at 21 war museums in Illinois. These museums offer insights into military history, strategies, and the human experiences of war.

Are you interested in military history? These are the must-visit war museums in Illinois:

  1. Museum of Science and Industry1

    Museum of Science and Industry

     Chicago, IL
    The Museum of Science and Industry is a renowned science center situated in Jackson Park, just a bit south of downtown Chicago. This location makes it easily accessible for tourists visiting the city. The museum offers a unique blend of science and industry exhibits, making it a fascinating destination for individuals of all ages.
  2. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum2

    Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum

     Springfield, IL
    The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum is a unique institution dedicated to providing comprehensive information about the life and times of the sixteenth President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. The museum also offers insights into the course of the American Civil War, making it a valuable destination for history enthusiasts.
  3. General Grant's Home3

    General Grant's Home

     Galena, IL
    The Ulysses S. Grant Home in Galena, Illinois, is a significant historical site as it was the residence of Ulysses S. Grant, a notable Civil War general and the 18th president of the United States. This home provides a glimpse into the life and times of this influential figure, offering visitors a unique opportunity to learn about American history.
  4. Fort de Chartres4

    Fort de Chartres

     Prairie Du Rocher, IL
    Fort de Chartres, established in 1720, served as a French military post along the Mississippi River. It was also the administrative center of the Pays des Illinois region. This historical site provides a glimpse into the French colonial era in North America, offering visitors a unique opportunity to learn about the region's past.
  5. Apple River Fort State Historic Site5

    Apple River Fort State Historic Site

     Elizabeth, IL
    The Apple River Fort State Historic Site, located in Elizabeth, Illinois, is a significant landmark from the 1832 Black Hawk War. The fort was constructed in less than a week by settlers in response to the onset of the war. Today, it stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of those early settlers.
  6. Elihu Benjamin Washburne House6

    Elihu Benjamin Washburne House

     Galena, IL
    The Elihu Benjamin Washburne House, also known as the Washburne-Sheehan House, is a significant historical site located at 908 Third Street in Galena, Illinois. This 1 + 1 ⁄ 2 -story Greek Revival house was constructed in 1844–45 and is a prime example of late Greek Revival architecture. The house was built in the style of Greek temples and features a two-story porch with four fluted Doric columns.
  7. Pritzker Military Museum & Library7

    Pritzker Military Museum & Library

     Chicago, IL
    The Pritzker Military Museum & Library, previously known as the Pritzker Military Library, is a museum and research library situated in Chicago, Illinois. Established in 2003 by Colonel Jennifer N. Pritzker, it serves as a public specialty library for military history. Initially located in Streeterville, in the Near North Side of Chicago, it later moved to the Downtown district, Chicago Loop.
  8. National Museum of the American Sailor8

    National Museum of the American Sailor

     Great Lakes, IL
    The National Museum of the American Sailor, previously known as the Great Lakes Naval Museum, is one of the ten Navy Museums managed by the Naval History & Heritage Command. This museum is an official Department of the Navy Museum, focusing on the history of the United States Navy, particularly the Navy's enlisted Sailor.
  9. First Division Museum9

    First Division Museum

     Winfield, IL
    A military history museum displaying many artifacts connected with First Division's service in World War I and World War II.
  10. National Museum of the American Sailor10

    National Museum of the American Sailor

     North Chicago, IL
    The National Museum of the American Sailor houses over 40,000 artifacts and records, providing an invaluable record of the U.S. Navy. The collection includes naval uniforms and accessories from the early 1900s to the present, and the country's largest archive of boot camp-related photographs, narrating the story of the American Sailor in the United States Navy.
  11. Cantigny11

    Cantigny

     Wheaton, IL
    Cantigny, located in Wheaton, Illinois, is a sprawling 500-acre park that was once the estate of Joseph Medill and his grandson Colonel Robert R. McCormick, both notable publishers of the Chicago Tribune. This expansive park, situated just 30 miles west of Chicago, offers a unique blend of history and natural beauty, making it an interesting destination for tourists.
  12. A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum12

    A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum

     Chicago, IL
    The A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum provides a historical insight into the lives of wagon assistants, who were men hired to assist passengers in sleeping wagons. During the American Civil War, George Pullman employed former slaves in his sleeping wagons, marking a significant chapter in American history. Visitors to the museum can learn about this unique aspect of the railroad industry and its impact on the lives of former slaves.
  13. Woodlawn Farm13

    Woodlawn Farm

     South Jacksonville, IL
    Woodlawn Farm is a historic site located at 1463 Gerkie Lane, east of Jacksonville, Illinois. The farm was established in 1824 by Michael Huffaker, one of the first settlers in Morgan County. This location offers a glimpse into the early agricultural history of the region and the life of its settlers.
  14. Rock Island Arsenal Museum14

    Rock Island Arsenal Museum

     Rock Island, IL
    The Rock Island Arsenal is a significant historical and military site located on Arsenal Island, originally known as Rock Island. It spans 946 acres and is situated on the Mississippi River between the cities of Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois. The Arsenal is within the state of Illinois, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore a key location in American military history.
  15. Illinois Holocaust Museum - Chicagoland Museum15

    Illinois Holocaust Museum - Chicagoland Museum

     Skokie, IL
    The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center is situated in Skokie, Illinois, in close proximity to Chicago. The museum's primary mission is to honor the memories of Holocaust victims and preserve their legacy. It also aims to educate visitors about the Holocaust, with the goal of combating hatred, prejudice, and indifference.
  16. Graue Mill and Museum16

    Graue Mill and Museum

     Oak Brook, IL
    The Graue Mill holds a significant place in American history as one of three authenticated stops in Illinois on the Underground Railroad. This clandestine network was instrumental in helping fugitive slaves escape from the American South to Canada. Visitors to the mill can learn about this important aspect of American history.
  17. 17

    National Veterans Art Museum

     Chicago, IL
    The National Veterans Art Museum, previously known as the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum, is situated at 4041 N. Milwaukee Avenue in the Six Corners neighborhood of Chicago. This museum is dedicated to showcasing and studying art created by veterans from the Vietnam War and other wars and conflicts.
  18. 18

    Owen Lovejoy House

     Princeton, IL
    The Owen Lovejoy House, located on East Peru Street in Princeton, Illinois, is a historic house museum. Constructed in 1838, it served as the residence of Owen Lovejoy, a notable abolitionist and congressman. This house is a significant part of American history, as it was a hub for abolitionist activities during the pre-Civil War era.
  19. 19

    Alton Museum of History and Art

     Alton, IL
    The museum's collection is diverse and rich, featuring exhibits on various historical figures and events. These include Robert Wadlow, also known as the Alton Giant, Lewis & Clark, the Alton Confederate Prison, the Lincoln–Douglas debates, and the region's Native American populations. These exhibits provide a comprehensive overview of the region's history and heritage.
  20. 20

    Easley Pioneer Museum

     Ipava, IL
    The Easley Pioneer Museum is situated at the intersection of Mills Street and West Broadway in the town of Ipava, Illinois. This location is easily accessible and provides a convenient starting point for visitors interested in exploring the rich history of the Easley family and the town they founded.
  21. 21

    Governor Oglesby Mansion

     Decatur, IL
    House of the former U.S. senator, general in Civil War and three times governor of Illinois. Precious example of living at that time.