During your visit to the Joliet Museum, explore exhibits enhanced by state-of-the-art audio-visual presentations, life-size models and award-winning touch screen visuals that explore the history of Joliet from the exploration days of Louis Joliet, to the Joliet’s ties with the NASA space program. Be sure to take home a piece of Joliet history or Route 66 memorabilia from the Joliet Area Historical & Route 66 Museum Visitors Center Gift Shop.
Joliet Area Historical Museum Orientation Film
Start your time at the Joliet Area Historical Museum in the theater, featuring a short film that will orient you with Joliet history. After the film, the screen goes up, the doors slide open and you will be faced with a replica of the Illinois and Michigan Canal.
Exhibits
Industry
Learn about the famous Illinois and Michigan Canal, first suggested by Louis Joliet in the early 1670s, through dioramas that explore the work on the canal and artifacts the laborers who built the canal used. Other areas of this exhibit explore the Joliet quarries and steelworks, the top area industry in the late 1800s, as well as the other industries which have thrived in Joliet over the years.
People
Explore the thousands of German, Austrian, Irish, Italian, French, Hungarian, Polish, Greek and Turkish immigrants who arrived in Joliet during the early 1900s seeking work in Joliet’s flourishing manufacturing facilities. Don’t miss Talk of the Town, a series of videos in which costumed interpreters share stories of past and present life in Joliet.
Transportation
Discover how rail transport began to emerge in the mid 1850s eventually resulting in the demise of the Illinois and Michigan Canal. Other displays in the Transportation exhibit explore the transition from horse drawn trolleys to electric trolleys and the first automobiles. Hop onto the trolley in the Trolley Theater for a virtual ride through Joliet in the early 20th century. A recreated Joliet street includes shops as you would have seen them during the time period.
Modern Day
Explore Joliet over the past 50 years. The Modern Day exhibit examines the changes in communication, industry and entertainment that have molded modern day middle America Joliet. Be sure to admire the stained glass windows easily seen from the Modern Day exhibit. They are the perfect reminder that the museum is housed in the former Ottawa Street Methodist Episcopal Church, built of Joliet limestone in 1909.
Route 66 and the Lincoln Highway
Remember to browse through the museum’s Route 66 and Lincoln Highway displays on the main floor of the museum. You can say hello to the likeness of the Blues Brothers, sit in a replica vintage car-turned-sofa, or create an e-mail photo postcard.
The Soaring Achievements of John C. Houbolt
Boasting two levels of interactive panels, diagrams and maps, audio-visuals, flat-screen narratives and period dioramas, the Soaring Achievements of John C. Houbolt celebrates the historic 1969 moon landing and pays tribute to former Joliet resident and key proponent of the” lunar orbit rendezvous concept,” Dr. John C. Houbolt. Highlighted in the exhibit is the Lunar Simulator. Step inside the Lunar Simulator and see the same controls used by the first lunar explores during their missions. Using a throttle and a joystick, put your own skill and smarts to good us and guide the aircraft to the approaching lunar surface.
Take home pieces of Joliet history or Route 66 memorabilia from the Joliet Area Historical & Route 66 Museum Visitors Center Gift Shop. Local history books, Route 66 and Lincoln Highway collectibles, t-shirts featuring local history, books on various historical topics and postcards are just some of the items available to purchase in the gift shop.
Travel Tip
- In addition to its permanent exhibits, the Joliet Area Historical Museum features temporary exhibits that provide additional interpretive opportunities.