The Jefferson County Historical Village was established in 1990.  The authentic log structures were moved to their current location in the village located on North 27th Street in Mt. Vernon.

Building/Structures:

Year Built:

Medical Building

Late 1800's

Mt. Vernon Calaboose

1820

Mt. Olive Log Church

1837

Clifton Cabin

1865

Koy Cabin

1889

Corn Crib

Mid 19th Century

Hickory Hill School

1919

Jeffersonian Print Shop

1991

Blacksmith Shop

1992

Implement Shed

1994

Welcome Cabin

1994*

Puckett General Store

Schweinfurth Museum      

*The material used to build the Welcome Cabin is from the first half of the 19th Century.

The Village was established by the Jefferson County Historical Society in an effort to preserve historical buildings and thousands of items of memorabilia from Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County.  The reason for carrying out the dreams of developing a historical village are manifold.  One concern is that people understand the roots of the county and the development of Southern Illinois.  Through interpretation, the history of the county and its families can be depicted.  Everyone is welcome to take advantage of a look at life as it was in the past.

Another primary concern is that school children understand their roots and relate their past to their present lives.  Teachers have brought their classes to the school for an entire school day, complete with sack lunches.  The school building is fully equipped, and the children can experience schooldays as they were in the past.

Volunteers are the backbone of the Village.  Approximately 30 volunteers work in shifts as docents to give tours, do demonstrations, and organize exhibits on weekends. 

Hours of the village are:

May - October - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
                       Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
                       Weekdays by appointment

November-April - Call in advance for an appointment.

Admission is free. Located just off of Richview Rd., next to Mitchell Museum in Mt. Vernon, Illinois (approximately 2 miles from I-57).

Phone: (618) 246-0033