The Museum is open every Saturday from 1 to 4 pm.
Except for unexpected circumstances, the Wood River Museum & Visitors Center is open to the public each Saturday of the month, excluding January and February, from 1:00 – 4:00pm. Special arrangements can be made by leaving a message, thus stating the desired date, time, and a contact phone number on the museum’s phone (618) 254-1993. Within the past year, several new additions have taken place, which includes an exhibit identifying the importance of transportation that moves products in and out of town, the expansion of an exhibit that showcases the various past and present clubs and organizations, and a few new items were added to the existing school’s exhibit. The museum welcomes student field trips as well as former students attending class reunions. Please phone the museum to make arrangements.
Clint Walker Exhibit
The Clint Walker Exhibit is now closed. Thank you for coming. Hope you enjoyed it.
Clint Walker would have turned 100 years old on May 30, 1926. Clint Walker was a true Riverbender, living in Hartford, Wood River, and Alton. Working with his history with a family member, his cousin Mary Jo Swengrosh of Alton, tells the story of more than just an Actor but a pioneer in everything he did. One pioneering move was being the first television actor in a number one series, Cheyenne, that was an hour long. Even his only child was a pioneer. Captain Valerie Walker became the first women Airline Captain in America.
We were lucky to host the exhibit on Grassy Lake.
Windows at the Museum were ready for Trick or Treat
Wood River Downtown Trick or Treat October 2023
Needed: East Alton-Wood River Community High School Yearbooks
The Museum is looking to fill gaps in our high school year book collection. If anyone has extra yearbooks from 1990 up to 2021 you would like to donate to the Museum, you can contact the museum, 618-254-1993, and leave a message or come by the Museum (40 West Ferguson) during normal operating hours. If you live out of town, you can mail it to Wood River Heritage Council, P.O. Box 222, Wood River, IL 62095. Be sure to let the clerk know that it is a book so you can get the book rate for mailing.
We hope everyone enjoyed coming by for trick or treat.
The museum enjoyed hosting a display of photos and memorabilia from the Missisippi River Festival in June / July of 2022. Many thanks to Lyle Ward for allowing us to make this exhibit available to so many people. (More about the MRF can be found in the SIUE archives.)