C.H. Moore Homestead & DeWitt County Museum

C.H. Moore Homestead & DeWitt County Museum "To Preserve and Promote DeWitt County's History and Heritage"

Celebrate America 250! Special commemorative merchandise is available now (limited quantities) at the Museum Gift Shop....
06/13/2026

Celebrate America 250! Special commemorative merchandise is available now (limited quantities) at the Museum Gift Shop. These items are custom-made in DeWitt County. All sales directly benefit the museum. 🇺🇸

The recently published Images of America book filled with images of DeWitt County's past would make a great Father's Day...
06/13/2026

The recently published Images of America book filled with images of DeWitt County's past would make a great Father's Day gift! It is available at the Museum Gift Shop and all proceeds directly benefit the museum! Regular museum and gift shop hours are Tuesdays-Saturdays 10am-5pm and 1pm to 5pm Sundays. Stop in an pick up a copy!

Last Sunday's author book signing at the museum was, according to the guest register, attended by visitors from DeWitt, ...
06/11/2026

Last Sunday's author book signing at the museum was, according to the guest register, attended by visitors from DeWitt, Bloomington, Maroa, Springfield, Heyworth, and, of course, Clinton. An estimated 40 people gathered in in museum's carriage barn to listen to Maureen Holtz, author of "Images of America: DeWitt County" share some of the images in her book. Following the presentation, the author kindly autographed copies of her work. Maureen's book will be available for purchase at the museum gift shop now through the end of the year, or until sold out. We sincerely thank Maureen for spending the afternoon with us as well as all the guests who attended and the "America 250 at the Homestead: Celebrating 250 Years of American History" sponsors who helped make this year's programming possible! 🇺🇸

Classic Cars, Fresh‑Churned Ice Cream & Free Lunch at the Homestead this Weekend! Join us for a summer afternoon tha...
06/11/2026

Classic Cars, Fresh‑Churned Ice Cream & Free Lunch at the Homestead this Weekend!
Join us for a summer afternoon that’s pure small‑town charm as we continue "America 250 at the Homestead: Celebrating 250 Years of American History." Enjoy free ice cream churned on site, plus a free lunch of hot dogs, chips, and water.
Bring your classic, antique, vintage, or specialty vehicle or just come enjoy the show! Rain or shine. No admission fee. No registration required. Donations appreciated. "Best of Show" trophy to be awarded by Spence's Super Shine. "America 250 at the Homestead" merchandise will be available for purchase in the museum gift shop. 🇺🇸

The Moore Mausoleum was constructed in 1894. Adorned with classical carved stone columns, finials embellishing the roof...
06/10/2026

The Moore Mausoleum was constructed in 1894. Adorned with classical carved stone columns, finials embellishing the roof, and symbolic oak leaf and acorn motifs over the double door and iron entry gates, the mausoleum stands as Clifton H. Moore’s final resting place and serves as an enduring monument to his memory. Other Moore family members lie in peaceful repose within the stone crypts as well. Those also entombed within the stone walls include Moore’s his first wife, Elizabeth (Richmond) Moore; his second wife, Rose (Onstine) Moore; Moore’s father, Isaac; Moore’s spinster sister, Orinda; and Moore’s youngest sons, Kleber and William. Although Moore intended that his eldest son, Arthur, also be entombed in the mausoleum, such is not the case. Arthur’s name was carved into one of the tomb caps, however, he was buried (only months after the death of his father’s death in 1901) alone on the hill that rises above the mausoleum.
Situated at the foot of that hill, on a piece of land separate from Woodlawn Cemetery, the mausoleum stands alone. It faces eastward, toward the Moore residence. The structure was positioned thus at the suggestion of the second Mrs. Moore. According to local legend, Moore desired to situate the mausoleum so he could keep a watch on his mansion from the mausoleum. It is more likely the suggestion was made so the mausoleum would be visible from the Moore residence. Still, today, one can clearly view the resting place from the upper and lower west windows of the Moore mansion.
Those who died previous to the mausoleum’s construction would have been buried in accordance to the more customary/traditional fashion of the time. The family members may have been originally laid to rest at McGraw Cemetery which served as Clinton’s public burial ground before Woodlawn Cemetery was established for the same use, or in a private family cemetery. After the mausoleum’s completion, the deceased were taken up and reinterred in Moore’s impressive mausoleum; the family reunited once more. Moore’s youngest sons, Kleber and William, ages 2 years and 10 years at their respective times of death, were gently placed in the same crypt; head to head. Thus two brothers who never knew each other in life now lay in repose together forever in death.
There is symbolic significance of the oak motifs. The newsprint which opened Clifton H. Moore’s obituary stated “A majestic oak in the forest of humanity has fallen.” During the Victoria Era, the oak tree, leaves, and branches were symbolic of strength, longevity, knowledge, honor, and steadfastness. Acorns were representative of new or humble beginnings, or the promise of resurrection and "how greatness may arise from humble beginnings."

The C.H. Moore Homestead & DeWitt County Museum (219 E. Woodlawn in Clinton, Illinois) invites all to join us on Sunday,...
06/08/2026

The C.H. Moore Homestead & DeWitt County Museum (219 E. Woodlawn in Clinton, Illinois) invites all to join us on Sunday, June 14, for the "America 250 at the Homestead" Classic Car Show, to be held from noon to 3:00 p.m., rain or shine, on the museum grounds. This family-friendly event is free for both participants and spectators.
Owners of classic, antique, vintage, and specialty vehicles are welcome to participate; no registration required. Simply drive in, park, and enjoy the afternoon among fellow car enthusiasts.
A “Best in Show” trophy (pictured here) will be awarded, generously sponsored and presented by Spence’s Super Shine.
The America 250 at the Homestead Classic Car Show is part of the museum’s yearlong "America 250 at the Homestead" celebration, honoring 250 years of American history with special community events taking place each month throughout 2026.
For more information about this or any of our other America 250 events, call 217 935 6066, visit chmoorehomestead.org, or find us on Facebook at C.H. Moore Homestead & DeWitt County Museum.

Join us this afternoon (6/7) at 1:30pm as Maureen Holtz shares and discusses many of the photos in her latest book, "Ima...
06/07/2026

Join us this afternoon (6/7) at 1:30pm as Maureen Holtz shares and discusses many of the photos in her latest book, "Images of America: DeWitt County." This is a free event, open to all.

June will be a very busy month here at the C.H. Moore Homestead & DeWitt County Museum...The quilt show will take place ...
06/06/2026

June will be a very busy month here at the C.H. Moore Homestead & DeWitt County Museum...The quilt show will take place throughout the month of June, the "Images of America: DeWitt County" book signing will take place this weekend, next weekend we will be hosting a car show, group large tours have been scheduled, and our daily tour visitor numbers are increasing as the summer season has officially begun!

Our 2026 America 250 at the Homestead Quilt Show is one of the best we’ve ever hosted! When we put out a call for Americ...
06/05/2026

Our 2026 America 250 at the Homestead Quilt Show is one of the best we’ve ever hosted! When we put out a call for Americana-themed quilts, the community responded with incredible generosity. Fifty quilts (a significant number, as there are 50 states in the nation) loaned by local quilters, collectors, and keepers of family heirlooms - contemporary, vintage and heirloom pieces - are currently displayed throughout the C.H. Moore Homestead & DeWitt County Museum (219 E. Woodlawn in Clinton.) The variety of patterns, designs, and motifs is amazing, and every piece is truly one‑of‑a‑kind. It’s a beautiful way to celebrate America’s 250th year! The show can be viewed now through the end of the month during regular museum and gift shop hours. For more information about this and our other "America 250 at the Homestead" events (including hours, admission fees, location, and free events), visit chmoorehomestead.org, or call the museum at 217-935-6066. 🇺🇸

As the list continues to grow, we take this opportunity to again thank all of our "America 250 at the Homestead: Celebra...
06/05/2026

As the list continues to grow, we take this opportunity to again thank all of our "America 250 at the Homestead: Celebrating 250 Years of American History" sponsors. Through their generosity, the C.H. Moore Homestead & DeWitt County Museum is able to provide FREE community gatherings, special events, educational presentations, musical entertainment, and more throughout this celebratory year. 🇺🇸
AMERICA 250 SPONSORS LIST
Wagon Wheel Pumpkin Farm
Save-A-Lot
Lance Schmid Auctions
Hammer Law
Calvert Funeral Home
DeWitt County Farm Bureau
Beta Sigma Phi
The George & Angela Williams Family
Toohill Seed & Beef
Helen N. Wilson
DeWitt Savings Bank
Clinton Auto Auction, Inc.
Ken May – May Farm est. 1855
Clinton Family Dental
Ann Belangee
Douglas Dodge
Floyd & Associates CPA’s
Gale & Karen Goble
Ted’s Garage
Sugg Enterprise
EMC Photography
Patrick Peterson of Three Ravens Graphics
Clinton Lake Vacation Rentals
The Ted & Ruth Lowers Family
First State Bank & Trust
Phillip & Ann Rybolt
Heartland Bank & Trust Co.
Guy C. Fraker of Lincoln’s Ladder
Thomas & Dee Dougherty
Pandemonium Studios, LLC
Steve & Nancy Stokowski
Moore & Warner Farm Real Estate
Kirby Foods
Millan/Petro McDonald’s Org.
Kwick – Wall
Anonymous Donor

If you see this post, please help us thank our sponsors by commenting below.

Address

219 East Woodlawn Street
Clinton, IL
61727

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Telephone

+12179356066

Website

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