Peoria Historical Society

PETTENGILL-MORRON HOUSE MUSEUM WILL BE OPEN FOR TOURS ON THURSDAY, JULY 25 FROM 10-2.

Elizabeth Morron Hancock’s wedding gown, shown below, is from 1863.
How styles have changed!

Fabulous wedding events may be booked at Pettengill-Morron House and Judge John Flanagan House Museums, both being owned by Peoria Historical Society. Simply call the PHS office at 309–674-1921 for more information.


Tickets for tours of our House Museums available at 309tix.com, or at the doors.

** An Artist’s Garden: A Rare Tour **

Enjoy a summer walk, talk, and tour of Jan Powers’ garden and grounds. Learn the history of the Moss Avenue house and its gardens, and enjoy this popular author-illustrator’s reflections and sketches from a gardening life. Lavender lemonade, iced herbal teas, and scones will be served, and a guest artist will be live painting in the garden. Preregistration is required (suggested donation: $25) and space is limited. Call 309-674-1921 today to reserve!

Making weekend plans? Pencil in John C. Flanagan House Museum for Sunday afternoon! Our porch has been repaired and painted thanks to your generous support! Plus we have a freshly updated and reopened display of fascinating household objects and tools from our collection on display in the basement. The rescued stonework from Harrison School is on display in the beautiful garden now as well. Open 1-4 pm and tickets are available at the door or 309tix.com.

PETTENGILL-MORRON HOUSE MUSEUM WILL BE OPEN FOR TOURS ON THURSDAY, JULY 18 FROM 10-2.

New front porch decking is currently being installed. Please enter through our kitchen door on the east side of the house for tours or to browse the gift shop.

Tickets for tours available at 309tix.com or at the door.

PETTENGILL-MORRON HOUSE MUSEUM WILL BE OPEN FOR TOURS ON THURSDAY, JULY 11 FROM 10-2.

New columns have been installed on the front porch. We are now waiting for the porch deck boards to arrive. Please enter through the kitchen door on the east side of the house for a tour or to visit our gift shop.

Tickets for tours available at 309tix.com, or at the door.
, ,

** Come Enjoy Saturday’s Opening Reception and Lecture for “Playing in Peoria” **

Please join the Peoria Historical Society on Saturday, July 13 from 1-4pm for the opening reception of “Playing in Peoria: The Golden Years of Theater in Central Illinois” and a special lecture on the topic at 2:30pm that afternoon. Held at Peoria Public Library Main Library (107 NE Monroe, LL1), this exhibit features artifacts from Peoria’s rich theatrical past along with photographs of opulent theater houses no longer in existence. The 2:30pm lecture will augment the exhibit with additional images and historic information. “Playing in Peoria” runs at PPL through August 31, Monday through Saturday (9am-6pm).

As the holiday weekend winds down, Peoria Historical Society is reflecting on the marvelous evening of fun and fireworks at John C. Flanagan House Museum. As several hundred people gathered in the back yard to enjoy the spectacular view of the river, popcorn and picnics, more than 50 others toured the house itself. Then all got a great view of Peoria’s Red, White & Boom as colorful fireworks exploded high in the sky. This old house has now seen 187 Fourth of July celebrations! Mark your calendar and join us next year.

** Secrets of Springdale … SECOND DATE ADDED **

This Peoria Historical Society lecture on the history of Springdale Cemetery and tour of the mausoleum proved so popular we’re adding an encore event on Saturday, July 27 from 10am to noon. This event is free and open to the public, but preregistration is required and space is limited. Call 309-674-1921 to reserve your seat.

Miss Jean Morron, the last resident of what is now Pettengill-Morron House Museum, was born on this day in 1879.
Her brother John, eight years her senior, wrote this letter to Jean celebrating her ninth birthday. He tells her that she is the dearest little girl in the world. He also writes that he is so fortunate to have such a wonderful family. In explaining that he has been so busy that he did not get a present for Jean, he tells her that he has endorsed a draft for three dollars. He hopes that she will share fifty cents with their sister Sallie (Sarah).

Great progress is being made on the front porch restoration at Pettengill-Morron House Museum! The porch roof has been stabilized and new columns are being installed by Alex Heuermann & Son, Building Contractors.

John C. Flanagan House Museum is getting a much-needed coat of paint on the porch ceiling! The oldest standing home in Peoria, has seen a lot of life on these magnificent porches wrapped in lacy cast iron. Constant care by Peoria Historical keeps this landmark open to the public and for special events. Visit www.peoriahistoricalsociety.org for information.

** Spend First Friday with Peoria Historical Society! **

Please join PHS on Friday, July 5 from 5-8pm for the opening of “Through a Feminine Lens: Female Artists and Their Visions of Peoria.” The opening reception and exhibition will take place at the Foster Gallery of First United Methodist Church, 116 NE Perry Avenue.

The exhibit features works from the PHS collection by Peoria women artists including Camilla Kenyon, Grace Van Norman Correll, Patricia Dale, and others. The show runs July 1-26; gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 9am-1pm and Sundays 8:30am-noon.

Front porch restoration has begun at at Pettengill-Morron House Museum. New columns are being painted and will soon be installed. We will update the progress, as we are very excited!

PETTENGILL-MORRON HOUSE MUSEUM WILL BE OPEN FOR TOURS ON THURSDAY, JUNE 27 FROM 10-2

FREE ICE CREAM SERVED WITH PAID ADMISSION

Are you searching for an historic venue for your wedding or special event? Reserve your date at our 1868 Mansion. So many options are available when you rent the interior or exterior gardens. Explore our fabulous settings by connecting with the Peoria Historical Society at 309-674-1921.

Enjoy a PHS lecture on the fascinating history of
Springdale Cemetery and a rare tour of the mausoleum!

The lecture will address the cemetery’s founding and history, some famous people buried there, stately monuments and markers, and more. This event is free and open to the public, but space is limited and preregistration is required. Call 309-674-1921 to reserve your seat.

What are your plans for viewing the fireworks over the river this July 4? Join us at John C. Flanagan House Museum! Doors open at 6 pm. Bring your chair or blanket, a picnic dinner or snacks. Tour the house while you wait. $5 per person for viewing, children $2 each. Tours $5. Tickets available at the door or online at https://309tix.com/events/fireworks-at-the-flanagan-house-7-4-2024. (No tickets will be sold through Facebook)

PETTENGILL-MORRON HOUSE MUSEUM WILL BE OPEN FOR TOURS ON SUNDAY, JUNE 23 FROM 1 to 4 p.m.

Shown below is one of Miss Jean Morron’s summer dresses that she may have worn for an afternoon tea party or ice cream social. Her “Couture Clothing Collection” is on exhibit throughout her home, including fashions from the Reynolds/Morron families, spanning over a century.

Free ice cream will be served with paid admission. Tickets available at 309tix.com, or at our door.

Thanks to the vision of Ed Barry, architect and vice president of Peoria Historical Society, beautiful stone work from Harrison School was given into the keeping of Peoria Historical Society. With the helping hands of JIMAX Group of Illinois, the salvaged pieces were carefully placed in the gardens of John C. Flanagan House Museum on June 21st and now can be seen by visitors to Peoria’s oldest standing residence. Public tours are given every first and third Sunday and by appointment. Many thanks to all who helped preserve these pieces of Peoria history.

Peoria Historical Society's curator Maureen Naughton (shown on the right) participated in the unveiling of the names of the 12 members of the U.S. Colored Infantry who had joined in Pekin to fight for the Union during the Civil War. Several of them were present at the original Juneteenth, June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas. Pekin Mayor Mary Burress on left, on the lawn of the Pekin, Illinois courthouse. The Illinois State Historical Society historic marker honoring the 29th United States Colored Infantry was also unveiled in celebration of Juneteenth 2024.

FREE ICE CREAM with a paid tour at Pettengill-Morron House Museum tomorrow, June 20 from 10-2 and Sunday, June 23 from 1 to 4.

Visitors can keep cool, enjoy the couture tour, and top it off with ice cream!

PETTENGILL-MORRON HOUSE MUSEUM WILL BE OPEN FOR TOURS ON THURSDAY, JUNE 20 FROM 10-2.

The Hydrangeas in our back gardens are especially beautiful this year. Imagine celebrating a special event in these surroundings.

During a tour of our 1868 mansion, you will experience our “Couture Clothing Collection” of the Reynolds/Morron families. These fabulous fashions span over 100 years, and include childrens’, ladies’, and gentlemens’ items throughout the home.

Tickets available at 309tix.com or at our door.

PETTENGILL-MORRON HOUSE MUSEUM WILL BE OPEN FOR TOURS ON THURSDAY, JUNE 13 FROM 10-2.

Visit our gift shop at no charge. If you are planning a summer picnic, we have great Longaberger baskets for packing and serving. On display are:

Footed Magazine Basket, perfect for bread and wine.
Hostess Large Serving Tray with All American liner and divided protector.
Small Gathering Basket with Car Caddy Lid for drinks and snacks.
Collectors Club Membership Basket Combo.

Tickets for tours of our Mansion built in 1868 available at 309tix.com or at the door.

PETTENGILL-MORRON HOUSE MUSEUM will be open for tours on Thursday, June 6 from 10-2.

This telescope is available in our gift shop, and will be an item for sale in our Upscale Porch Sale on Saturday, June 8, during the Moss Avenue Sale. There is no charge to shop our gift shop, where you may find a special bargain before our Saturday sale.

Tickets for tours of our 1868 mansion are available for Thursday and Saturday at 309tix.com, or at our door.

Pettengill-Morron House Museum will be open for tours on Thursday, December 7 from 10-2. Our house is fully decorated in the theme, “Holiday Travel”.

Our gift shop has many vintage and unique gift-giving ideas, and there is no charge to come inside for shopping.

Tickets for house tours are available at 309tix.com or at the door.

Peoria Historical Society is very grateful to the generous sponsors who helped make the 2023 Holiday Home Tour a huge success! Your support helped our community enjoy the history of our community while helping preserve it for the future.

Thank you to all of our volunteers, staff, and members who contributed their precious time during this busy season to make our Holiday Home Tour an amazing success. Thank you to each of our private homeowners for generously sharing such beautiful homes.

Our volunteers are welcoming visitors until 5!

Pettengill-Morron House Museum will be open for tours on Thursday, November 30 from 10-2. We are beautifully decorated for the PHS Holiday Home Tour on December 2 and 3. Our gift shop is brimming with Christmas gift-giving items!

Tickets for tomorrow’s Pettengill-Morron House tour and the Peoria Historical Society Holiday Home Tour available at 309tix.com, or at the door.

Only a few days until the doors open for the holiday Home Tour! Get tickets online through November 30, but tickets are available at the door! See you soon!
https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/local/2023/11/14/visit-7-historic-properties-in-peoria-il-on-annual-peoria-historical-society-holiday-home-tour/71517053007/?fbclid=IwAR0H24DhzXjV87cHnLVstV5XYv6LIsvQtsgKyuq6G0_2YivqNiGH9dH1Ep8_aem_AVykUDDbUS-iELy6ygDJsdhuDd8twGSjTKFJ1nxlcK7ZDacm3vZBo6Xmxa6xZ5kWBQM

Elegant architecture and a ghost: 7 Peoria properties will be part of annual holiday tour The historical society's December tours allow a glimpse inside private homes and businesses typically not open to the public.