The Church Street and East B street sidewalks command attention as you approach the museum. Reading the two blocks of brick sidewalks is an education in itself!
The original entry to 123 North Church Street, including the gas light fixture and the 1837 walnut staircase, has been completely refurbished.
There are familiar names and well known information to be found in the Labor & Industry Museum exhibits. But it's the little-known information that is most surprising...Belleville machinists and patternmakers produced embossing presses capable of printing these beautiful advertising cards! The presses were shipped worldwide.
In our TV viewing area, a 12 minute orientation video is available for viewing. Find out a bit about the struggles of the working class and the struggles of industry. The museum's area of interest spans the period dating from the end of the Civil War to the Great Depression.
Pre-Civil War foundries cast all types of agricultural equipment. When the Industrial Revolution picked up speed after the Civil War, Belleville was ready!
Two German-born candy makers founded Goelitz Bros. Confectionery in 1868...now known as Jelly Belly -- 40 yummy flavors! The book display at the right calls attention to the Learning Center which occupies the second floor of the museum. Research facilities include a software program that allows the visitor to view the museum's collection of photos, archives and objects at their leisure.
The "Union Hall" is a changing exhibit gallery chronicling everything from the struggle of early coal miners to present day postal workers. Photos and info on early and prominent labor leaders are currently displayed along with "Lineman Equipment" young people love to try on!
An extension of the Union Hall provides space for changing exhibits on glass-making, brewing, printing and more recent memorabilia on Auto Workers and Mechanics.
Patternmakers ply their skilled craft to make castings possible.
An original loading door has been converted to a show case in the "Industrial Hall" -- currently filled with small foundry castings and cigar memorabilia. Belleville produced more cigars than any other community in U.S. Revenue District #5 (Southern Illinois).
Stove manufacturing brought more wealth to Belleville and more product to the world than any other industry --
26 Belleville-made stoves and ranges are on permanent display.
26 Belleville-made stoves and ranges are on permanent display.
