Nauvoo Historical Society Museums

 The Weld House, built in the late 1830s, served as the home and medical office of Dr. John F. Weld from 1842–1846. Today, it operates as a museum where each room highlights a different era of Nauvoo’s past. Exhibits span from the Native peoples of the region through early settlers, the Mormon period, the Icarian community, and into modern Nauvoo. 

 Located in Nauvoo’s business district, the Weld House is considered one of western Illinois’ finest examples of Greek Revival architecture. Constructed circa 1837, the home preserves over a century of Nauvoo history through artifacts such as a 900-piece arrowhead collection, river history displays, pioneer items, Joseph and Hyrum Smith death mask copies, 1895 wedding garments, and historic business memorabilia. 

 The Nauvoo Historical Society purchased the property in 1986 and began extensive restoration work, removing four later additions and rebuilding both basement and first-story walls. Restoration continues today with rooms adopted by local families, ensuring the home and its collections remain preserved for future generations. 

 The Icarian Room holds the largest known collection of artifacts from Nauvoo’s Icarian community. Visitors can explore items connected to Ettienne Cabet and the democratic socialist settlers who briefly made Nauvoo their home. Started by Icarian descendant Lillian Snyder, the collection includes dining chairs, a school desk, beds, and objects once displayed at the Smithsonian. Guests are also encouraged to enjoy local highlights, including Nauvoo blue cheese and handcrafted pieces from Nauvoo’s glassworkers. 

 The Moffitt Room displays Earl Cheesebro’s remarkable 900-piece arrowhead collection, a piece of the Captain White trading oak tree, and a plaque marking the historic riverboat landing.
The Peter Bolton Room features farm and kitchen tools, agricultural implements, handmade doll clothing from the W. C. Bolton home, and original 1895 wedding garments, offering rich insight into everyday pioneer life. 

 Also known as the Merchant’s Room, this gallery includes a glass case featuring items from the Frances Clark family, including Clark’s 1828 sketchbook used in carving tombstones. Clark arrived in Nauvoo around 1843 to help carve the Temple’s sunstones and moonstones and contributed to the Red Brick Store. Other displays highlight Nauvoo’s funeral industry with items such as a miniature casket and hearse cupola, along with advertising materials and photographs of past and present local merchants. Archival records, church documents, family histories, and manuscripts are preserved here for research. The museum also sells Nauvoo: A History Featuring the Paintings of Lane K. Newberry, published by the Nauvoo Historical Society. 

 The Rheinberger Museum is located within Nauvoo State Park, positioned beside the city’s oldest vineyard. Its scenic placement offers visitors a unique blend of history, nature, and heritage, all within one of Nauvoo’s most picturesque areas. 

 Inside, guests can explore a variety of themed rooms, including the Abraham Lincoln Room, Quilt Room, Victorian Parlor, and a charming display of antique toys and dolls. The museum also features a summer kitchen and the original stone-arched wine cellar, adding depth to the historical experience.

  Built in the 1840s by early Mormon settlers and later remodeled by the Icarian community, this historic home eventually came into the possession of the Rheinberger family. The structure showcases architectural changes over time and is sometimes referred to as the “welded house” due to its layered construction history. 

The building includes a rare wine cellar and press room—making it the only wine cellar in Nauvoo open to the public. Its original stone arches and winemaking features offer a fascinating look into early local industry. 

 The grounds feature Nauvoo’s first vineyard, which has been producing grapes since the mid-1800s. Exhibits highlight the region’s agricultural and cultural evolution, from the introduction of Nauvoo Blue Cheese in the 1930s to items representing Nauvoo Glassworks, preserving the community’s rich and varied past.

 The museum houses an impressive assortment of antiques donated by local families and churches. Visitors will find historic bibles, a traditional spinning wheel, and framed Lincoln prints by artist Lane K. Newberry—each piece reflecting Nauvoo’s community heritage.