Return to Museum News


Joliet Area Historical Museum Announces Free Day of Admission in Honor of Its Third Birthday

The Joliet Area Historical Museum announces a Free Day of Admission on Saturday, October 8, 2005 from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. in honor of its third birthday. Refreshments will be served.

The Museum first opened its doors on October 8, 2002. Since then, it has become a popular destination for Jolietans, local school children, and tourists from both near and far. “People are just discovering what a quality museum they have here in Joliet” said Susan English, the Museum’s Executive Director. “Free days are just one way we can reach out to the community.”

The past year has been particularly exciting for the Museum. In October of 2004, the Museum was able to acquire an Economy Motor Buggy that was manufactured in Joliet in 1909. In November, the Museum’s War Heroes Gallery was dedicated in honor of the late John F. Whiteside, Herald News Columnist and friend to veterans.

The Museum also won an Award of Excellence from the Illinois Association of Museums for the design of the War Heroes Gallery. “Founding Families,” an education program designed specifically for third grade students learning about communities also received an Award of Excellence from the Illinois Association of Museums and was nominated for an award from the American Association of State and Local History.

The next year will be a year of expansion for the Museum. Neal and Nancy B. Houbolt have gifted the Museum $225,000 to begin work on an exhibit which will explore the role of Jolietan John C. Houbolt in putting men on the moon.

The Museum is also working with the City of Joliet and the City Center Partnership to enhance its exhibit in the Route 66 Welcome Center as the Museum is the place where travelers from across the globe often kick off their trek on the infamous Route 66. We also continue to schedule a wide array of rotating exhibits for our Special Exhibition Gallery. “Feast Your Eyes: The Unexpected Beauty of Vegetable Gardens” will open in mid-November followed by an exhibit scheduled to open in late January that traces the history of African American dance in America.

We invite you to come and spend the day at the Museum to see what we are all about.

For additional information about the Museum or about Museum programming, call 815-723-5201, ext. 226 or visit the Museum’s website at www.jolietmuseum.org. The cost of regular Museum admission is $5 for adults, $4 for Seniors (60+) and college students with a valid I.D., $3 for youth ages 4-17, and FREE for children 3 and under and Museum members. The Joliet Area Historical Museum is located at 204 N. Ottawa Street in downtown Joliet and is open Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Sunday Noon-5:00 p.m., and closed on Mondays except for school holidays. Free parking is available in the Museum’s parking lot at the corner of Webster and Ottawa Streets.