Nauvoo Historical Society Museums

The Weld House was built in the late 1830s and served as the home and office of Dr. John F. Weld from 1842-1846. Today it houses a museum where each room is from a different era of Nauvoo’s history. Each room of the museum represents a timeline period including Native Indian artifacts, Nauvoo's first settlers, a Mormon display and Icarians among others. Covering history from Quashquema to present, visitors will see items of Dr. John Weld, pioneer physician. Rooms of this Greek revival style home circa 1837 feature artifacts covering Nauvoo's long rich history. A 900-piece arrow-head collection, a river history display, pioneer artifacts, copies of Joseph and Hyrum's death masks, 1895 wedding garments, old Nauvoo business artifacts and photos spanning over 100 years of Nauvoo history on display.

The Weld House Museum is located in Nauvoo's business district and is one of western Illinois' best examples of Greek revival architecture. In 1986, the Nauvoo Historical Society purchased the property and began a massive restoration which included the removal of four additions and rebuilding the basement and the first-story walls. The Society continues the restoration and preservation efforts and rooms that have been adopted by local families. The Moffitt Room houses the Earl Cheesebro’s 900-piece arrowhead collection, a "slice of the Captain White trading oak tree," and the plaque which marked the spot near the riverboat landing where it once stood. The Peter Bolton Room houses numerous farm, kitchen, and agricultural implements. Dishes and handmade doll clothes from the W. C. Bolton home are on display, along with original wedding garments.

The Newbold Room, (also referred to as the Frances Clark Room or the Merchant's Room) ccontains a glass case featuring items from the Frances Clark family. They include the 1828 sketchbook Clark used as he copied verses and drawings to use on the tombstones he carved. Clark and his brother David came to Nauvoo around 1843 to help with the carving of the sunstones and moonstones and the oxen in the Temple. He also worked on the Red Brick Store and remained in Nauvoo after the exodus. Another display case features items pertaining to the funeral industry. They include a sample miniature casket, the cupola of a hearse, and a funeral basket. Advertising items and photographs of both past and present Nauvoo merchants and businesses are also found in this room. A room in the back is an archive of local church records, family histories, and historic manuscripts preserved for research. The newest addition to the house is a large flat panel video screen, which allows visitors to view the Society’s numerous photos, displaying the many periods of Nauvoo’s rich history. Nauvoo: A History Featuring the Paintings of Lane K. Newberry is available for sale at the Weld House. This book covers the complete timeline of Nauvoo, from Quashquema to present day, and is a publication by the Nauvoo Historical Society.