WELCOME TO OUR MUSEUM
PRESERVING THE PAST FOR THE FUTURE
Welcome to the Hinckley Historical Society
This is the official website for the Hinckley Illinois Historical Society, an online resource made available free of charge to anyone seeking information about the history of the Village of Hinckley and surrounding townships of Squaw Grove and Pierce! The material contained in this website is only a sampling of our collection at the museum located in downtown Hinckley. Visit our contact page for more information.
The Hinckley Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the past for the future. By exploring the past, one finds secrets along the journey as to the who, the what, and whys of our history. Present and future generations can use these lessons to help guide them as they go through life. To achieve this mission, the society seeks to collect and preserve artifacts, letters, photographs, documents, and personal stories. Then it helps put the collection into perspective for various audiences to understand their history and give guidance for their lives.
- Empire Builder
Hinckley gained its name from an Illinois ‘Empire Builder’ The following excerpt is from Stephen J. Bigolin’s publication, A Journey Through Dekalb County Vol. II Chapter 19 “East on Route 30… Read more: Empire Builder - Harlem Globetrotters
On January 7, 1927, the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team played their first game, in Hinkley, Illinois. They wouldn’t play a “home game” (in Harlem, New York City) until 1968. The… Read more: Harlem Globetrotters
Historical Aspects Of Hinckley
Research your
Family History
Begin or dive deeper into researching your family tree
Discover your
Community History
Learn about the spaces, places, & the unique story of your community
Explore our
Collections
View articles, stories, and photos about Hinckley heritage
Preserve your
Homes & Properties
Find information and photos of many historic homes. Or add new photos to our collection!
Visiting the Museum
WINTER SEASON – The museum is closed from Dec 17, 2023 to April 7, 2024
Then the museum is open on Saturdays from 10 to noon or by appointment at other times. Call Bob at 815-761-4058. Our museum has been remodeled and expanded with new displays of highlights from our 20 decades of history. We look forward to seeing you.