Beginnings
In 1962, Dr. James Reed obtained permission from the Quincy Park Board to excavate a burial mound in Indian Mounds Park. Dr. Reed was then given permission to erect a building over the excavation site, which would include space to display Indian artifacts from Adams County and around the world. The excavation and building construction were completed in 1963 and the Erroke Museum opened, thus beginning the first chapter of The Quincy Museum’s story. It was at this time that Dr. Reed handed the museum over to the Quincy Park District.
On July 27, 1965, Erroke Indian Mound Museum was incorporated via charter by the State of Illinois. This is the anniversary we celebrate in 2025. The first president was Byron Knoblock, who served for 8 years and who, along with his wife, contributed significantly to the museum collections.
Under the leadership of Dr. John Snow, Explorer Post 107 Boy Scouts of America operated the museum until 1970. The time came that museum supervisors were ready to look for new quarters. The same year, the original building closed, collections were boxed, and the remains of the Native Americans were reburied with proper ceremony.
On July 27, 1965, Erroke Indian Mound Museum was incorporated via charter by the State of Illinois. This is the anniversary we celebrate in 2025. The first president was Byron Knoblock, who served for 8 years and who, along with his wife, contributed significantly to the museum collections.
Under the leadership of Dr. John Snow, Explorer Post 107 Boy Scouts of America operated the museum until 1970. The time came that museum supervisors were ready to look for new quarters. The same year, the original building closed, collections were boxed, and the remains of the Native Americans were reburied with proper ceremony.
Next Steps
In the late 1960s, the Quincy Park District developed Quinsippi Island as a tourist location and encouraged the museum supervisors to move to a new location on the island. In 1970, construction of a new building for the Erroke museum began. The park district, Moorman Foundation, and volunteers furnished the funds and labor for the new building. The museum opened on August 22, 1971.
The museum quickly became the biggest attraction on the island. In 1973, the name of the museum was officially changed to the Quincy Indian Museum, Inc. Attractions on the island were closed to the public through the winter, which allowed Dr. John Snow and his volunteer group time to work on new educational exhibits.
In 1979, visitors to the museum dwindled when the Sky Cruise and Quinsippi Queen Steamboat closed. The museum's board of directors began to look for a new location yet again. When the Newcomb-Stillwell house came on the market in 1980, the museum's board secured a one year lease with the option to buy the property. With the support of the community and an anonymous donor, the Newcomb-Stillwell house was purchased in the summer of 1981, sparking a long and thorough rehabilitation and restoration of the beautiful Gilded Age mansion.
In order to generate community interest in the restoration, an open house was held in January 1981. Other events were held as the restoration continued. In 1983, the name of the museum was changed to The Quincy Museum of Natural History and Art to reflect a broader range of exhibits and services.
Thus established the museum’s new identity as the home of the collections of Quincy and area community members. Some of the first exhibits in the museum included thousands of seashells, meticulously preserved butterflies and moths, clay figurines from Mexico, and Smokey Bear memorabilia. In August 1993, the board of directors changed the museum's name to The Quincy Museum, Inc.
The museum quickly became the biggest attraction on the island. In 1973, the name of the museum was officially changed to the Quincy Indian Museum, Inc. Attractions on the island were closed to the public through the winter, which allowed Dr. John Snow and his volunteer group time to work on new educational exhibits.
In 1979, visitors to the museum dwindled when the Sky Cruise and Quinsippi Queen Steamboat closed. The museum's board of directors began to look for a new location yet again. When the Newcomb-Stillwell house came on the market in 1980, the museum's board secured a one year lease with the option to buy the property. With the support of the community and an anonymous donor, the Newcomb-Stillwell house was purchased in the summer of 1981, sparking a long and thorough rehabilitation and restoration of the beautiful Gilded Age mansion.
In order to generate community interest in the restoration, an open house was held in January 1981. Other events were held as the restoration continued. In 1983, the name of the museum was changed to The Quincy Museum of Natural History and Art to reflect a broader range of exhibits and services.
Thus established the museum’s new identity as the home of the collections of Quincy and area community members. Some of the first exhibits in the museum included thousands of seashells, meticulously preserved butterflies and moths, clay figurines from Mexico, and Smokey Bear memorabilia. In August 1993, the board of directors changed the museum's name to The Quincy Museum, Inc.
Today
Our vision is to make a tangible contribution to community engagement and pride. Our mission is to preserve, present, and educate. In doing so, our purpose is to acquire and preserve natural science, social, local, and cultural history artifacts. We promote education by welcoming dozens of school groups to our unique interactive programs. We also care lovingly for our historic mansion, striving to preserve and enhance its historical and architectural significance.
As we celebrate both our organization’s 60th Anniversary and Adams County’s Bicentennial in 2025, we thank those who came before us and cherish those with us today. Both milestones stand as testament to the determination and passion of this community. We reflect on the hard work of those who built what we now enjoy and endeavor to continue to build upon it for future generations.
As we celebrate both our organization’s 60th Anniversary and Adams County’s Bicentennial in 2025, we thank those who came before us and cherish those with us today. Both milestones stand as testament to the determination and passion of this community. We reflect on the hard work of those who built what we now enjoy and endeavor to continue to build upon it for future generations.
