Financial Support
The Museum only exists because of donors like you. The museum is free to visit, but we suggest a $5 donation per visitor to help defray the costs of operating and maintaining the facility.
If you would like to financially support the museum, you can send a check to
Jacksonville Area Museum
PO Box 305
Jacksonville, Illinois 62651
Your support also allows us to expand our programming into the future. The initial Museum space is currently only occupying the historic lobby and office areas of the Post Office. We are currently in process of major expansion that will quadruple usable space by expanding into the old mail handling and sorting area on the southern two-thirds of the building. The building’s basement will also be transformed into archival, educational and office space. This can only be done with your support.
Become a Member!
Consider becoming a member today by downloading the form below. Membership comes with perks: invitations to special events, previews of exhibits, and the good feeling of the ongoing support of the Jacksonville Area Museum.
Donate an Item
Do you have a historic item, photo, or artifact you would like to donate to the museum? We’d love to evaluate it, and see if it needs to find a home in the museum! We are looking for items that specifically tell the story of the Jacksonville area, or have intrinsic historic value.
Does the museum accept artifact donations?
The Jacksonville Area Museum always encourages donation of artifacts to help broaden and enrich the history of the area. The mission of the museum is to preserve, interpret and protect the unique historic and cultural heritage of Morgan County, Illinois and adjoining counties for the education and enjoyment of current and future generations. It is only through generous artifact donations that we are able to meet this mission.
What kind of items does the museum look for?
We are always on the lookout for new and exciting items related to the rich history of the area. We incorporate these items into our exhibits and educational programs, and plan to eventually make them available to interested scholars and researchers.
A few examples of desired artifacts and materials are:
• Local business signage, ephemera and other documentation
• Photographs documenting historic buildings, local events, and daily life
• Artifacts from historic buildings and other local sites
• Paper-based documentation of local organizations or events
• Local sports and recreational memorabilia
• Historic documentation of local politics, civic activity, clubs and organizations
• Other artifacts with direct relevance to Jacksonville and the surrounding area
Are all items accepted?
Because of our limited space, the museum can only accept items with relevance to Jacksonville and the surrounding area. While we appreciate one’s consideration, we cannot accept artifacts that are old or of personal value but with little apparent significance to our local history.
Criteria includes:
• Was the object made or used in the area?
• What is the object’s historical significance?
• Can documentation (written or oral) on the object be found?
• Does the object need conservation work?
• Does the object support the existing collection?
• Is the object a duplicate?
• What is the object’s exhibit potential?
• What impact would the object have on storage space?
Is my donation going to be displayed?
What visitors don’t see on display is just as important as what they do. As with most museums, only a small percentage can ever be displayed at any one time.
How do I contact the museum?
Call at (217) 408-1197, or email us at info@jacksonvilleareamuseum.org
Include a description of the item and a photograph(s). A representative from the museum will be in touch with you. If the item is accepted, we ask that you complete a brief questionnaire so the history of the item(s) can be properly documented.
Can I just drop off my item at the museum?
No. For a multitude of reasons, we strongly prefer you contact the museum first to start the donation process. A representative of the museum will respond about the next steps.
Will the museum appraise artifacts for donors?
No. In accordance with regulations from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the museum does not offer appraisal services or provide donors with a value for tax- deductible objects. We suggest contacting a certified appraiser if you require an appraisal.
Contact the museum by using our online form on our contact page.
(Note: if sending a photo, please use info@jacksonvilleareamuseum.org)