Author: Steven Varble

If you build it, many will come! One of the most popular winter attractions in Jacksonville turns five years old this year, and plans are to make the event even bigger and better for participants and the public.

The Jacksonville Area Museum is seeking entries for its Fifth Annual “Building with Brick – The Art of LEGO” exhibit that will run from December 2, 2026 through February 28, 2027. This year’s exhibit will be held in a larger, newly-expanded area of the museum to accommodate even more entries, which must be submitted by November 22.

This fifth-annual exhibit features original and LEGO kit creations from all ages. Prizes based on public voting will be awarded in six categories:

– Kit Build for all ages with up to 1,000 pieces

– Kit Build for all ages with 1,000 or more pieces

– Original Build ages 0 to 7,

– Original Build ages 8 – 12

– Original Build ages 13 and up

– 2026-27 Special Category: “Recreation in Jacksonville” for all ages.

The public will be encouraged to vote on their favorite builds, with $100 LEGO gift cards awarded to the top vote-getters.

To submit a build, participants can drop off their creations by Sunday, November 22 during normal visiting hours at the museum: Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.

Only builds submitted by November 22 are eligible for voting. Participants will be asked to fill out a temporary loan agreement. Call (217) 408-1197 with any questions.

One hundred eight-by-eight-inch canvases created by area artists and assembled into one large work of art will debut to the public on Saturday, September 19 at the Jacksonville Area Museum. The completed work of art is part of a larger exhibit titled “The Geography of Memory: Jacksonville in Art,” also opening that day, which will highlight artwork of Jacksonville by Jacksonville area residents.

The individual canvases came with a small square image which depicts a piece of a larger image. Participating artists were asked to interpret the image they were given on their individual canvases, which will be combined with the 99 other canvases to reveal an image celebrating the Jacksonville area. Each artist worked only on one-one hundredth of the finished piece of art without knowing what the final, larger image depicts. That larger image will reveal itself only after the 100 individual canvasses are assembled side-by-side.

“Imagine a checkerboard where each square is an individual work of art, and when placed together on the board those squares make a much bigger and recognizable work of art,” said Jacksonville Area Museum board member and event coordinator Marcy Jones. “This has been a very enjoyable process, and we invite the pubic to see the end result as well as dozens of other pieces of locally-produced art starting on Saturday, September 19.”

The canvasses will be assembled for participating artists during a private reception on Friday, September 18. 

“The Geography of Memory: Jacksonville in Art” may be seen at the Jacksonville Area Museum, located at 300 E. State Street. The museum is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.

The Jacksonville Area Museum will celebrate its fifth anniversary on Saturday, September 26 with free birthday cupcakes and a peek at the progress on the museum’s new gallery construction that will triple the institution’s exhibit space.

“Help us to celebrate our first five years on September 26 and get a glimpse of what’s in store for the next five years and beyond,” said Museum Manager Tori Ohl. “We thank all of our visitors and members for their patronage since 2021, and look forward to seeing many more people coming through our doors in the years to come.”

The Jacksonville Area Museum, which opened on September 25, 2021 and has since welcomed more than 12,000 visitors. The museum uses original artifacts, storytelling exhibits and the building itself, as well as items from the MacMurray College Foundation and Alumni Association collection, to show people of all ages and backgrounds why the Jacksonville community has been and continues to be one of a kind. The museum has hosted the Smithsonian’s nationally-renowned “Voices and Votes” traveling exhibit, recently hosted the Underground Railroad exhibit developed by the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition, and hosts the perennial favorite LEGO display each winter.

The museum is located in the old Post Office building at 301 E. State Street and exhibit galleries currently occupy the old lobby and office areas of the building. The new gallery under construction is located in the old mail sorting and handling area of the building, which occupies approximately two-thirds of the ground floor’s square footage. The new gallery features life-sized, life-like elm tree reproductions to help interpret Jacksonville’s “Elm City” moniker, and historically-inspired commercial building facades that will feature artifact exhibits in the window spaces. The old Post Office also includes a full basement which will be rehabilitated in the future as part of the museum’s ongoing development plans.  

The Jacksonville Area Museum is open Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. There is no admission fee but a donation of $5 is suggested. Much of the museum’s operating budget comes from museum memberships, and members receive advance viewing of new and traveling exhibits, the first chance at admission for ticketed and special events, and members-only programs. Annual membership levels include Student, $25; Individual Sustaining, $45; Silver for families or couples, $60; Gold, $75; and Platinum, $100. Annual business membership levels include Sustaining, $150; Silver, $250; Gold, $350; and Platinum, $500. Gold and Platinum members in both the individual and business categories will receive recognition on the museum’s donor wall. 

The Jacksonville Area Museum has opened a new dentistry display focusing on Jacksonville resident Dr. Greene Vardiman Black, known as the Father of Modern Dentistry.

“Jacksonville’s Dr. Greene Vardiman Black was a curious inventor, scientist, and teacher who changed the way dentists care for patients,” said Jacksonville Area Museum Manager Tori Ohl. “Through his discoveries, inventions and dedication to education, Dr. Black helped transform dentistry into the modern profession we know today.”

The display, titled “This Won’t Hurt a Bit,” opened to commemorate Black’s 190th birthday and includes several items from the museum’s collections that represent the progression of the dental profession. There is a gold rolling machine, used to flatten gold into sheets so it could be used for dental fillings; a treadle-powered dental drill; a period dental chair; and a cabinet donated by Black’s descendants that was used to store dental tools. Interpretive panels provide images of Dr. Black and information about his life and career.

A bust of G.V. Black created by Richard Bock, the famed sculptor who collaborated with Frank Lloyd Wright on Springfield’s Dana-Thomas House and other buildings, anchors one end of the display. Visitors are encouraged to take a selfie with the bust of Dr. Black and rub his nose for good dental health.

The smallest artifact, and perhaps the most interesting, is an actual tooth that Dr. Black filled using a process that he perfected and that dentists worldwide emulated for many years.

The new dentistry display may be viewed in the museum’s West Gallery during normal hours of operation on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. The display will take up residence in the museum’s new central gallery, now under construction, in 2027.

The Jacksonville Area Museum is looking for 100 participants of all ages to combine their talents into one large collective interpretation of Jacksonville on a large scale.

100 canvases are waiting to be adopted by local artists. Each comes with a small square photo of a larger work, which we are asking YOU to interpret on the provided canvas. All the 8×8 canvases will be combined into a larger work, revealing an image celebrating our city and area.

It’s easy and fun to participate:

1. Stop by the museum during open hours, and pick up a random packet (or two) with a canvas, your square of artwork to interpret, and all needed instructions. The museum is open Wed. & Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 1-4 p.m.

2. An 8”x8” canvas and photo is in your packet. Recreate the photo on your canvas. Be sure to keep the top of the photo on the top of your canvas!

3. You paint, draw, craft, or interpret your square onto your canvas. Be creative! The only restrictions are that you honor the color palette and lines/edges, and do not extend beyond the edges of the canvas. All mediums and interpretations are accepted and encouraged: paint, felt, glitter, yarn, paper, cereal, fur… you name it! Have fun! (please, nothing sticky, runny, or stinky)

4. Artists are asked not to open their envelopes until they get home. If you think you recognize the final painting, please do not to reveal it on social media or discuss it to preserve the surprise of the installation.

5. Please return the canvas no later than September 12, 2026 to the museum.

On September 18, an event will be held to install all 100 canvases together to create the collective image.

The event is part of the grand opening of a larger exhibit called “The Geography of Memory: Jacksonville in Art” which will highlight artwork of Jacksonville by Jacksonville. This exhibit, along with the collective painting, will debut the weekend of September 19.

There are few opportunities for more than 100 local artists to work together to create something magical, creative, and beautiful.

“Walk With Heroes,” a guided cemetery tour of Underground Railroad conductor grave sites, will be held Saturday, July 11 at 6 p.m. at Diamond Grove Cemetery, 1601 Lincoln Road in Jacksonville. The event, which is free and open to the public, is being held in conjunction with the Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad exhibit currently on display at the Jacksonville Area Museum at 301 E. State Street.

Historian Chad Boehlke will guide and narrate the tour that will visit the final resting places of many Underground Railroad conductors from Jacksonville, people who helped numerous Freedom Seekers on the road to freedom. Participants should dress for the weather and bring water. In case of inclement weather, the cemetery tour will be rescheduled for the following Saturday, July 18.

The Underground Railroad conductor grave sites to be visited on July 11 in Diamond Grove Cemetery include David Spencer, Elihu Wolcott, Ebenezer Carter, William “Chauncey” Carter, William Kirby, Marc McLean Reed, William Verry, Henry Irving, John Laurie, Thomas Melendy, Joseph O. King, Jonathan B. Turner, George Chambers, David Prince and Michael Huffaker.

There are also Underground Railroad conductors buried in Jacksonville East Cemetery, which is not part of the July 11 tour. Those individuals include Benjamin Henderson and George Washington Price.

Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad highlights the courageous stories of freedom seekers and the multi-racial conductors who assisted them on the Underground Railroad in Illinois. The exhibit is open to the public at the Jacksonville Area Museum through August 1, 2026 during the museum’s normal hours of operation: 10 am to 4 pm Wednesdays and Saturdays and 1 to 4 pm on Sundays.

Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad is proudly presented by The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, also known as Looking for Lincoln.

The process, excitement and challenges of making stories like the Underground Railroad come alive during the Social Media Age will be the focus of a panel discussion to be held on Juneteenth, Friday, June 19 at 6 p.m. at Centenary United Methodist Church at 331 E. State Street in Jacksonville. The event, which is free and open to the public, is being held in conjunction with the Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad exhibit currently on display at the Jacksonville Area Museum at 301 E. State Street.

Panel discussion participants include:

Dr. Brian Mitchell, a well-known African American historian, former Director of Research and Interpretation at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and currently the Center for Lincoln Studies Public Humanities Fellow at the University of Illinois Springfield.
Dr. Brittany Yancy, Illinois College professor of 20th-century U.S. History with a focus on social movements, urban radicalism, critical race theory, women’s activism, and black women’s political and intellectual history.
Kathryn Harris, former director at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and a first-person interpreter of historic African American women.
Ruth Linear, local historian and director of the Jacksonville African American History Museum.

The panel discussion will be moderated by Jacksonville Area Museum Manager Tori Ohl and museum board member and historian Chad Boehlke. A tour of the Underground Railroad exhibit at the Jacksonville Area Museum will be offered following the June 19 program.

Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad highlights the courageous stories of freedom seekers and the multi-racial conductors who assisted them on the Underground Railroad in Illinois. The exhibit is open to the public at the Jacksonville Area Museum through August 1, 2026 during the museum’s normal hours of operation: 10 am to 4 pm Wednesdays and Saturdays and 1 to 4 pm on Sundays.

The next special program in support of the exhibit will be on Saturday, July 11 at 6 p.m. when local historian Chad Boehlke will conduct a guided tour of Underground Railroad-related grave sites at Diamond Grove Cemetery. The July 11 program is free and open to the public.

Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad is proudly presented by The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, also known as Looking for Lincoln.

A new exhibit highlighting the courageous stories of freedom seekers and the multi-racial conductors who assisted them on the Underground Railroad in Illinois are featured in a new exhibit, Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad, which will be open to to the public at the Jacksonville Area Museum starting Saturday, April 11 through August 1, 2026. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

The exhibit tells selected stories of freedom seekers, conductors and communities in Illinois that were part of the journey to freedom on the Illinois Underground Railroad. Using photos, videos, maps, personal stories, and illustrations created specifically for the exhibit, visitors will learn the about the people and communities who took part in this hidden history. In addition, the Jacksonville Area Museum will feature local stories to enhance the exhibit.

The Jacksonville Area Museum will also offer several free public programs to support the exhibit during its nearly five-month run in the city. Those events can be found on our events page.

Highlighted stories in the exhibit include freedom seekers John and Eliza Little, who traveled barefoot through Illinois to Canada to gain their freedom, or conductors like Henry who worked for Abraham Lincoln, and Mary Ann King Brown who helped the enslaved to freedom in the Springfield, Quincy and Galena areas.

Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad is proudly presented by The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, also known as Looking for Lincoln.

“We are so honored to share this new exhibit with the Jacksonville community,” said Sarah Watson, executive director of Looking for Lincoln. “Many of these Illinois Underground Railroad stories have not been shared in one place. It is so inspiring to learn more about the bravery of all these people who took so many risks to fight against slavery for the basic rights for themselves and others.”

Jacksonville Area Museum Manager Tori Kolanowski added, “Jacksonville has such a rich and vivid Underground Railroad and Abolitionist history, and this exhibit will showcase that part of the community’s heritage like never before.”

Journey to Freedom will be available and open to the public during regular business hours at the Jacksonville Area Museum, which are 10 am to 4 pm Wednesdays and Saturdays and 1 to 4 pm on Sundays.

The winners have been announced for the Jacksonville Area Museum’s Fourth Annual “Building with Brick – The Art of LEGO” exhibit that ran from December 6, 2025 – February 28, 2026. The results were based entirely on the more than 3,000 ballots cast by museum visitors.

The winners are:
Best Build from a Kit (all ages): Edison Trace, “Liebherr Crawling Crane”
Best Original Build (children ages 0-7): Emmons Stephens, “Emmons’ Car Shop”
Best Original Build (children ages 8-12): Jaxon Thompson, “Down on the Farm”
Best Original Build (ages 13+): Nathanael Smith, “Sea Plane”
Special Category: Jacksonville’s 200th Anniversary (all ages): Bennett Mehta, “Schumm & Lonergan’s”

Each category winner received a $100 LEGO gift card.

“A huge thank you to all who participated. We are extremely grateful for the LEGO artists who shared their creations with the public,” said Jacksonville Area Museum Manager Tori Ohl. “The museum hosted hundreds of visitors from across the city, state and country who stopped by to see the LEGO creations and select their favorites. We look forward to hosting this exhibit again in December 2026.”

The Jacksonville Area Museum is located in the old Post Office building at 301 E. State Street. It is open Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. There is no admission fee but a donation of $5 is suggested to keep the museum operating.

OUR BIGGEST YEAR YET! The Jacksonville Area Museum’s annual “Building with Brick – The Art of LEGO” exhibit featuring over 120 entries opens to the public on Wednesday, December 3 and will run through February 28, 2026. The exhibit may be viewed during the museum’s normal hours of operation on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.

This fourth-annual exhibit features over 120 original and LEGO kit creations from all ages. Prizes based on public voting will be awarded in five categories: Kit Build for all ages, Jacksonville 200th (to commemorate the city’s bicentennial) for all ages, Original Build ages 13 and up, Original Build ages 8 – 12, and Original Build ages 0 – 7. This exhibit is one of the most popular events each year at the museum. LEGO gift cards worth $100 will be awarded to those receiving the most public votes. Visitors may vote once per day and must do so in person at the museum.