Montgomery’s Historical Settler's Cottage Reopens For Summer

MONTGOMERY, IL - Settler’s Cottage, Montgomery’s historical restored 1840s home in Village Hall, is reopening Sunday, May 21 for the summer. The museum will be open from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and visitors are invited to learn more about Montgomery’s history in the oldest remaining building in Montgomery. It was originally owned by Daniel S. Gray, the founder of Montgomery.

Settler’s Cottage is at the front of the Village Hall at 198 N. River Street. A new exhibit in the museum focuses on the 100th anniversary of the United States joining World War I and remembering the Montgomery soldiers who fought in it. Another feature is a display on Jim Phillips, the local environmentalist known as “The Fox."

It’s home to exhibits on history and art which rotate annually. Some of the art currently displayed is created by local resident Phillip Basuier.

Montgomery's Historic Preservation Commission sought grants and conducted fundraising activities for several years to pay for the restoration of this building. It opened as a museum in August 2010 and is now open several times each month from April to October. In 2011, the Settler's Cottage project was awarded a Governor's Home Town Award for being a fine example of a project accomplished with volunteer hours and great community support.

The museum is free and is handicapped accessible. Appointments to visit can be made outside normal opening hours.

The Village of Montgomery City Hall asks for anyone with historic photos or memorabilia willing to share to contact Debbie Buchanan at 630-896-8080 ext. 9003

Photo via The Village of Montgomery