Mascoutah Heritage Museum
Mascoutah Heritage Museum
Nestled in the heart of Mascoutah, Illinois, the Mascoutah Heritage Museum stands as a testament to the town’s rich history and cultural legacy. Operated by the Mascoutah Historical Society, the museum serves as a vital hub for preserving artifacts, archival documents, and artwork that reflect the town’s evolution over the years.
Origins and Purpose
The museum was established with the goal of safeguarding Mascoutah’s historical treasures, ensuring that future generations can appreciate the town’s journey from its early days to the present. The Mascoutah Historical Society, which oversees the museum, has worked tirelessly to collect and curate exhibits that showcase the town’s industries, military history, and everyday life.
Exhibits and Collections
Visitors to the museum can explore a diverse range of exhibits, including displays on early Mascoutah businesses, local industries, and significant historical events. The museum also features photographs, maps, and advertising memorabilia, offering a glimpse into Mascoutah’s past.
One of the standout exhibits includes the original plat of Mascoutah from 1837, alongside maps from various eras that illustrate the town’s development. Additionally, the museum houses artifacts related to church history, clothing styles, and notable celebrations, providing a well-rounded view of Mascoutah’s cultural heritage.
Community Engagement and Legacy
Beyond its exhibits, the Mascoutah Heritage Museum plays a crucial role in community engagement. The Mascoutah Historical Society actively seeks historical items from residents, encouraging donations of old photographs, advertisements, and artifacts that help enrich the museum’s collection.
The museum’s commitment to preserving Mascoutah’s history ensures that the town’s legacy remains alive and accessible to all. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or a curious visitor, the Mascoutah Heritage Museum offers a fascinating journey through time, celebrating the stories and people who shaped this vibrant Illinois town.
Building History
The building which now houses the Mascoutah Heritage Museum has been a part of the community for a very long time. This 3-story, brick building was built by Philip N.
Leibrock in 1859. It was built to house a "flouring" mill by Leibrock and his partner, George Heller. Mascoutah already had 4 working mills. Leibrock and Heller also operated a sawmill and limber yard on the site.
The business did not last long, and the duo went bankrupt in 1864. It was then sold to Arnold Hussmann and John Kleekamp who opened Hussmann Crucible works. A crucible was a foundry-type business whose furnaces could heat ores to high temperatures to fuse or melt them. Later that year the site collapsed with a "loud noise," which probably meant they were manufacturing their own barrels as well.
Hussmann Crucible Works manufactured iron bands for barrels, graphite products, and stove polish. Eventually, Hussman and Kleekamp parted ways. Hussman kept the business going. Unfortunately, in 1896 the building and machinery were damaged by the great tornado of that year. In 1909, following bankruptcy, the building was purchased by Robert Schubert, a local contractor.
Over the next 25 years, Schubert rented or leased the building to various businesses.
In the early teens, the Mascoutah Garage, and then Karch Garage, repaired wagons and cars. In the late teens and into the 20's Ely Walker Clothing Company operated a shirt factory. Following this, Midland Rubber manufactured raincoats, and a material used to stuff throw pillows. A dress factory, possibly Forest City Manufacturing, opened in the 1930's.
In 1934, Arthur D. Jenkins purchased the Mascoutah Herald, which was operating at that time in the first block of Wast Main Street, from the Mascoutah Building and Loadn Association, which had taken over the building, again in Bankruptcy in 1937.
Jenkins moved the Newspaper and Jenkins Publishing Company into this building. He used the two lower floors for his printing business and rented the upper floor to anyone needing storage space. He owned the building the 1960s, when he turned everything over to his employees who operated Jenkins Business Group, until June of 2003. CEO Wayne Wilson gave the building to the Mascoutah Historical Society to be used as a museum.