Mercer County Essley-Noble Museum

Mercer County's museum is housed in the Essley-Noble Memorial Building  at 1406  SE 2nd Avenue in Aledo , Illinois.  Displayed in the museum are over 5000 of Mercer County's historical valuables, which include: Pioneer Kitchen Pearl Button Cutting Lathe Old farming Tools' Showcase of Civil War Items Abraham Lincoln's desk 1880 parlor room Original Aledo  County Court House Flag Showcase of early American toys New Boston Millstone Lincoln Benchmarks Early American clothing One-room country school machine shed filled with vintage farm equipment and tractor and a Genealogy Research Division.         The Mercer County Historical Society was formally  incorporated December 31, 1954 as a non-profit organization.  It was outgrowth of an earlier group, the Mercer County Scientific and Historical Association, organized in 1878.  Mr. Elisha L. Essley, of Evanston, IL a former Mercer County resident gave a monetary gift to erect a museum building as a memorial to Mercer County and its citizens.  The purpose of the building was to house items of historical value and interest. The building known as the "Essley-Noble Memorial Building" was  dedicated October 18, 1959.         A large steel building was erected on the grounds in 1973 for the purpose of displaying the  tools of agriculture used in Mercer County. This completes the set of three buildings which can be visited by the public on Wednesday Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. April through October.         The Mercer County Historical Society is governed by a board of 15 members who are elected for 3 year terms.  A primary objective is to have representation from each township in Mercer County.  The Mercer County Historical Society hold a spring and fall meeting  which is opened to the public, an old fashion ice cream social in late  August.  Gifts of historical interest of the area will be accepted by the Historical Society and will be displayed in the museum , as space permits, to perpetuate the lore and history of Mercer County.         The Genealogy Research Division of the museum has accumulated an extensive  collection of obituaries extracted from county newspapers, many family  histories, card  files for all the county cemeteries, microfilm of newspapers, and census records are available for research. This data has been compiled by members of the Mercer County Historical Society.         In 1956, a project to bring a one-room school house to the museum ground was begun, culminating with its presentation to the public as a completely furnished typical old time school, October 27, 1969.  The upkeep for this building is partially funded by the Mercer County Retired Teachers Association. At times ,reunions have been held in the one-room school.         At the present time the museum has completed the  renovation to install a much needed climate control system,  a new electrical system to the main building  & new storage area that has been erected. The new storage area will help relieve  the  overcrowding in the museum.         A Fund Drive continues to raise money for the Building Expansion. Costs of the expansion was estimated at around $105,000.00.  Donations are  being   made to  the Mercer County Historical Society to help pay for the cost of the renovation. If you are interested in donating to the Building Expansion Fund, mail you donation checks to : Make checks payable to Mercer Co. Historical Society  Building  Fund. Mail to: Mercer Co. Historical Society 1406 SE 2nd Avenue Aledo, IL 61231

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