HOILES-DAVIS MUSEUM

GREENVILLE, IL

Old Illinois State House, Gallatin Street, Vandalia, IL Built in 1836, this Federal and Greek Revival-style building was constructed to serve as the State Capitol for Illinois, when the state Capital was Vandalia.  Vandalia had become the Illinois State Capital in 1820, after it became clear that Kasakasia, which was located along the Mississippi River and had served as the territorial capital prior to statehood, was prone to flooding and unsuitable for long-term government operations.  The Old Illinois State House was utilized as a state capitol building until 1839, when the capital was moved from Vandalia to Springfield and the Old State Capitol was constructed to house the state legislature.  The building then became the Fayette County Courthouse in 1839, with the Fayette County Courts and government occupying the building until 1933.  In the 1850s, two-story Greek Revival-style pedimented porticoes were added to the north and south facades, and the interior was modified to suit the needs of the county government during the 19th Century and early 20th Century.  In 1933, the Fayette County Courthouse was moved to a renovated Queen Anne-style residence elsewhere in Vandalia, and the Old Illinois State House was restored and converted into a museum documenting its history and use as the State Capitol Building during the 1830s, as well as the early history of the Illinois State government when it was located in Vandalia between 1820 and 1839.  The building features brick exterior walls, painted white, with a side-gable roof, two-story pedimented porticoes at the north and south entrances in the center of the building’s north and south facades, which feature square columns made of brick, also painted white, and doric capitals, twenty-over-twenty double-hung windows, doors with transoms and Greek Revival-style surrounds that include cornices and doric pilasters, decorative Italianate-style trim surrounds at the window openings, a cornice with denials, and a cupola in the middle of the roof with chamfered corners, decorative pilasters, six-over-six double-hung windows, a dome, and a flagpole.  Inside, the building has been restored to its circa 1837 appearance, the year that the Illinois State Government voted to move the State Capital from Vandalia to Springfield, with a restored legislative chamber and offices, as well as gallery and exhibition space, restrooms, offices, and support areas.  The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, and in 1985, became known as the Vandalia State House State Historic Site, operated by the Illinois Historic Preservation Division, formerly the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.  The building today remains in operation as a history museum.
Old Illinois State House, Gallatin Street, Vandalia, IL Credit: w_lemay

The Hoiles-Davis Museum in Greenville, Illinois is a unique historical museum that showcases the history of the area. Established in 2006, the museum is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history of the region, as well as honoring the legacy of two major figures in the area, Robert Hoiles and Elmer Davis.

The museum offers a variety of interactive exhibits, including a replica of the original Hoiles-Davis Store and its products, a timeline of the area's history, a replica of a one-room schoolhouse, and an exhibit dedicated to local Native American history. Visitors can also explore the Davis family's genealogy and learn about the life and work of Robert Hoiles and Elmer Davis.

The museum also hosts several special events throughout the year, including a Black History program, a Lincoln Day celebration, a summer movie series, and a Veterans Day ceremony. The museum also offers educational programs and workshops for all ages, as well as field trips and opportunities for research.

The Hoiles-Davis Museum is a great place to explore the history of Greenville and the surrounding area. With its variety of exhibits, special events, and educational programs, it is a great resource for anyone interested in learning about the region's past.

HOILES-DAVIS MUSEUM is a Uncategorized or General Museum in GREENVILLE IL. US MID #8401700127

The museum is classed as GMU (Uncategorized or General Museums). It comes under American Alliance of Museums (AAM) region: Midwest (Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin).

Contact HOILES-DAVIS MUSEUM

HOILES-DAVIS MUSEUM
318 W WINTER AVE
GREENVILLE
IL
62246

Disclaimer: please note this database is maintained by volunteers and whilst we endeavour to do our best, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the listing.

If you notice any errors or omissions in the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Find more GREENVILLE IL Museums

Map of HOILES-DAVIS MUSEUM

HOILES-DAVIS MUSEUM Information

MID # 8401700127
Name HOILES-DAVIS MUSEUM
Alternate Name
Classification Uncategorized or General Museums, , Midwest
Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)
NTEECC
Tax period of the latest return filed (YYYYMM)
INCOME 0
REVENUE 0
LAT/LONG 38.889598, -89.413673
CODES FIPS State Code: 17
FIPS County Code: 005
US Census Tract: 951300
US Census Block: 4027