Fayette County Museum!

The Fayette County Museum in Vandalia, Illinois is a great stop. I was traveling for a story. I couldn’t resist pulling into the former Presbyterian church turned historical museum. This treasure is open Tuesday – Saturday. They are located just off the historical square. The museum is close to the Statehouse that once served as the second Capitol of Illinois. It was the capitol for 20 years from 1819-1839. This history is particularly interesting because my husband, and brother and sister-in-law recently toured the Long-Nine-Museum. It was there the was made to move the Capitol from Vandalia to Springfield.

The Fayette County Museum opened in 1979. There are over 8,000 items to view!

The Historic Marker

There is a historic marker under a tree. The marker shows that the first treasurer, Col. Robert K. McLaughlin had a house here. The garden is filled with plants from the 1800’s and early 1900’s.

Museum Tour!

Luann Tamborini provided me with a wonderful tour of the museum.

First, Luann explained the designations on the replicated mural that represents Vandalia around 1830. Of all the buildings on the mural, Luann explained the only one still standing is the Statehouse. “We had been guaranteed 20 years to be the Capital.”

The Statehouse had three locations. The first one of lumber, one a former converted bank, and the third, the grand building the citizens built. They hoped the capitol would remain in Vandalia. This didn’t happen though. The Long Nine voted for Springfield for the Illinois Capitol City.

The museum has interesting items. There are tools, there are historic Presidential facts, women’s clothing, glassware, and more! The wooden carved tools were my favorite. They were made by Harold Crawford.

There is a 1901 pipe organ that originally had 570 pipes!

Lincoln history at the Fayette County Museum

Abraham Lincoln wasn’t very popular after his Long Nine decision. However, there are several Lincoln artifacts on display.

There are pictures of the Lincoln family. There is also a construction tool with Lincoln’s initials, and a Lincoln cutout to pose next to!

Architecture at the Fayette County Museum

The architecture of the church is also quite lovely. Two sets of stairs head to the second story.

There is also a hand painted oilcloth ceiling upstairs. Then in the sanctuary you will also view lovely stained-glass windows. It is so wonderful that this church was saved and is being used for such a nice purpose.

What else!

I ran out of time to revisit the Vandalia Statehouse. Then there is the National Road Interpretation Center. Known as the “Road That Built the Nation”, it was created in 1806.

Make a day of it in Fayette County visit Vandalia!