General John A. Logan Museum

Last updated
General John A. Logan Museum
JohnALoganMuseumFront.jpg
Front entrance of the General John A. Logan Museum
USA Illinois location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location in Illinois
General John A. Logan Museum
Established1989
Location1613 Edith St. Murphysboro, Illinois, United States
Coordinates 37°45′44″N89°20′29″W / 37.76227°N 89.34126°W / 37.76227; -89.34126
TypeHistory museum
DirectorLaura Varner
Website loganmuseum.org

The General John A. Logan Museum located in Murphysboro, Illinois, is dedicated to the life and legacy of Union Civil War general and Memorial Day founder John A. Logan. Established in 1989 on or near the site of Logan's birthplace, the museum serves as a resource for local history, the Civil War, and 19th-century American politics. [1]

Contents

The museum's collections and educational programs have been the subject of academic research; one study detailed its effective utilization of exhibits as a classroom tool for local students. [2] The institution is also recognized by historical publications for its mission to guide visitors through Logan's significant career.

The museum was founded by Mike Jones, a Southern Illinois historian and Civil War enthusiast, to preserve Logan's legacy and to provide educational programs about the General. Jones served as the initial director until his passing in 2023.The museum's founding history was discussed by host Dean Klinkenberg. [3] The current director and curator is Laura Varner. [4]

Located in the historic Christopher C. Bullar House, adjacent to Logan's birthplace site, the museum began as a one-room exhibit. [5]

In 2000, with support from an Illinois FIRST grant, archaeologists uncovered the foundation of Logan's birth home. Additional property was later acquired with help from the Murphysboro Park District, allowing for expansion. As of mid-2025, a new gallery is under construction to house a collection from the National Woman's Relief Corps (WRC), previously held at the Illinois Grand Army of the Republic Museum in Springfield. [6]

An exhibit traces Logan's timeline from his boyhood in Murphysboro, through his Civil War service commanding the Army of the Tennessee, and later to his role as a U.S. Congressman. In 1868, as Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, Logan issued General Order No. 11, establishing May 30 as Decoration Day — the precursor to Memorial Day. [7]

The museum has been featured in regional tourism guides and historical media for its educational outreach and interpretive programming. [8] The museum hosts numerous community programs, including a historical program on the history of slavery in Illinois. [9]

Selected Collections and Exhibits

The museum houses several historically significant items:

Structures and Grounds

In addition to the Bullar House, the museum site includes the Sheley House, Hughes House, Dalton House, and the archaeological site of Logan's birthplace. [11] The preserved home of Samuel H. Dalton, a formerly enslaved man who enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1863, is also located on the site [12]

References

  1. ↑ Roesch, Hannah (2021-07-13). "The Legacy of John A. Logan". Emerging Civil War. Retrieved 2025-11-13.
  2. ↑ Lueker, Kristi L. (April 2012). "THE MUSEUM AS A CLASSROOM: EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF EXHIBITS AS A CLASSROOM TOOL". Southern Illinois University Carbondale OpenSIUC: ii.
  3. ↑ Klinkenberg, Dean (October 16, 2022). "Episode 46: When Change Is Possible". Mississippi Valley Traveler (Podcast). Dean Klinkenberg. Event occurs at 00:49:42. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Home". John A. Logan's Museum. Retrieved 2025-11-13.
  5. ↑ Skarda, Kara (May 22, 2015). ""General John A. Logan Museum." Clio: Your Guide to History". theclio.com/. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  6. 1 2 "Grand Opening – WRC/GAR Collection". WSIU. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
  7. ↑ "Great River Road – Logan Museum". Great River Road Illinois. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
  8. ↑ "General John A Logan Museum". Southern Illinois Tourism. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
  9. ↑ "John A. Logan Museum to host 'History of Slavery in Illinois' program" . The Southern Illinoisan. 2023-07-20.
  10. ↑ "Our Artifacts Collection – womansreliefcorps.org" . Retrieved 2025-11-13.
  11. ↑ "Visit". General John A. Logan Museum. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
  12. ↑ Hamilton-Brehm, Anne Marie (2018). "Samuel Dalton House in Murphysboro". scrcexhibits.omeka.net/. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.