Uncover Nauvoo Historical Society's Fascinating Past
Native American
Latter-day Saints
Native American
Native Americans lived in the Nauvoo area for thousands of years and called this area of the Mississippi River Quashqeuama
Early Pioneer
Latter-day Saints
Native American
The first permanent European settler was Captain James White who called his town Venus on the Rapids.
Latter-day Saints
Latter-day Saints
Latter-day Saints
Joseph Smith and his church came and renamed the town from Commerce to Nauvoo. They lived here for seven years, but the impact of their time here is still felt today.
Icarian
Latter-day Saints
The French Communal Socialist society made Nauvoo their home in the 1850's. Their movement is still being studied today.
German Immigrants
Nauvoo became the most German speaking town in Illinois with a large influx of German immigrants. Many of those descendants are still in Nauvoo today!
And more!
Nauvoo's history is rich and layered! Saint Mary's Academy and the Benedictine Nuns lived here for nearly a hundred years. And so much more! NHS works to preserve the entire history f Nauvoo through our collections and events.