History
The Kankakee County Historical Society, founded in 1906, is one of the oldest historical societies in Illinois. The Kankakee County Historical Society was originated from The Travelers, Nature Club, Sons of the Veterans, Round Table Club, French Club, Twentieth Century Club, and Spanish War Veterans. Beginning in 1912, the new Kankakee County Historical Society displayed artifacts and documents in the Kankakee High School near the Kankakee County Court House. In 1935 extensive renovations at Kankakee High School forced the Society to seek new exhibit space. In 1936, exhibit space was donated to the Society in the Kankakee County Court House. In 1944 the collection was moved back to the Kankakee High School. The following year the Illinois State Legislature appropriated funds to create a memorial to Governor Lennington Small. The Small family donated twenty-five acres of land, and the historic Dr. A.L. Small Memorial Home to the Society. The Kankakee County Historica
Specialties
Our mission at the Kankakee County Historical Society is to collect, exhibit and interpret the material culture of Kankakee County.