Featured Exhibits
Gerlach-Barklow Calendar Company &
P.F. Volland Greeting Card Company
On Exhibit: February thru August, 2025
Our new exhibition explores the fascinating history of Gerlach-Barklow, an iconic art calendar company founded in Joliet in 1907. Known for the original artwork created by local artists for its calendar line, Gerlach-Barklow made a significant impact on the calendar industry. In 1924, the P.F. Volland Company, a Chicago-based publisher, merged with Gerlach-Barklow, expanding their operations to include books and greeting cards. This exhibit offers visitors a closer look at the legacy of these companies through a curated collection of greeting cards, artist prints, and calendars that showcase their artistic and commercial significance.
P.F. Volland Greeting Card Company
On Exhibit: February thru August, 2025
Our new exhibition explores the fascinating history of Gerlach-Barklow, an iconic art calendar company founded in Joliet in 1907. Known for the original artwork created by local artists for its calendar line, Gerlach-Barklow made a significant impact on the calendar industry. In 1924, the P.F. Volland Company, a Chicago-based publisher, merged with Gerlach-Barklow, expanding their operations to include books and greeting cards. This exhibit offers visitors a closer look at the legacy of these companies through a curated collection of greeting cards, artist prints, and calendars that showcase their artistic and commercial significance.
Route 66 Welcome Center
Welcome to the heart of America’s most iconic highway, Route 66! Our Route 66 Welcome Center invites you to step back in time and experience the spirit of this legendary route. Begin your journey with a fun photo op at our Route 66 Diner Scene, where you can pose in front of a nostalgic diner backdrop. The photographs featured outside the diner windows are actual historical images of Route 66 in Joliet, offering a glimpse into the past.
Discover the Made in Joliet exhibit, showcasing artifacts manufactured right here in Joliet, including a rare 1909 Economy Motor Buggy, a symbol of the area's early automotive history. Don't miss the iconic original suits worn by Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi during the filming of the 1980 cult classic The Blues Brothers. These pieces of cinematic history bring Route 66’s cultural influence to life, blending nostalgia with the vibrant legacy of this legendary American highway."
Permanent Exhibit Galleries
Take a journey through the rich history of Joliet, a city shaped by its people, industry, and natural resources. Beginning with the city's early development through the Illinois & Michigan Canal and its transformation in the 19th century with the rise of steel and limestone industries, earning Joliet the nickname "City of Stone and Steel." Explore the complex relationship between the city and the Old Joliet Prison, where local residents interacted with the penitentiary through employment, ministries, and cultural activities. Step back in time with a 1920s-1930s trolley ride through downtown Joliet and experience the post-WWII suburban expansion of the 1950s. Celebrate Joliet's connection to space exploration in the Apollo/Houbolt Exhibit, honoring Dr. John C. Houbolt's role in the Apollo 11 moon landing. These galleries offer a captivating look at Joliet's past, from its industrial roots to its place in the history of space exploration.
Take a journey through the rich history of Joliet, a city shaped by its people, industry, and natural resources. Beginning with the city's early development through the Illinois & Michigan Canal and its transformation in the 19th century with the rise of steel and limestone industries, earning Joliet the nickname "City of Stone and Steel." Explore the complex relationship between the city and the Old Joliet Prison, where local residents interacted with the penitentiary through employment, ministries, and cultural activities. Step back in time with a 1920s-1930s trolley ride through downtown Joliet and experience the post-WWII suburban expansion of the 1950s. Celebrate Joliet's connection to space exploration in the Apollo/Houbolt Exhibit, honoring Dr. John C. Houbolt's role in the Apollo 11 moon landing. These galleries offer a captivating look at Joliet's past, from its industrial roots to its place in the history of space exploration.