P.  Seth  Magosky  Museum
of   Victorian  Life   and  Joliet  History

206   N.  Broadway  St.,  Joliet,  Illinois  60436

(815)  723-3052 
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A PLACE WHERE HISTORY LIVES

Museum Hours

Sunday from 1:00 PM Until 4:00 PM


Or call for a special day that meets your schedule for a vacation, a tea, a reunion, reception, graduation, wedding or any other special event

(815) 723-3052

Call to schedule a tour.
Planning to have a group to take a tour of the Villa?  Give us a call and we can arrange special tours for your group.  We can also arrange a tour that focuses on your special interests including a walk down Historic Broadway Street.


Scutt mansion In Infrared           Scutt Mansion




The museum was founded in memory of Seth Magosky and his work in researching the History of Joliet and Will County.  Through his writing, his books, newspaper articles, his radio program, tours, television program and involvement in the community, he shared and encouraged his love of history and architecture.



P. Seth Magosky was Joliets Modern Historian. His research was always accurate and no one ever turned him away when he came to see and researched their homes.  This was his dream.

Come to see what makes our museum special!

See calender of events for complete list!! 

Our Sunday High Teas are a Special Treat for Everyone and All Ages!!  Call and Make Your Reservations for This Event.  Many People Call it the Best Buy in Teas Any Where in the Area and at only $15.00 per person.  See Why They are Talking About it.!!

A new book, written by the museums director Patrick Magosky who is a self avowed non-reader that re-captures the first thirty five years of Joliet with all the hardships and problems and put it into an easy reading book that is enjoyable to young and old alike. 
When Pat discovered the contents of all the old books his wife and son had been collecting for all those years and sat down to really read and study them he discovered a treasure trove of information he thought thousands of local people would be interested in.  His first task was to find an easy to use format that would appeal to local people like people like him with large print, basic information such as the name of the people, where they were from, where the house was, what the people did, did they have children, and how they fit into the community.  He decided to list the firsts in Joliet/Juliet and explained some of the most interesting facts about Joliet and then put it together into a spiral format workbook so it could be used as you drove around and located the sites. 
The book is being sold at the museum as a fund raiser for $29.95.  The museum and Magosky is planning on further editions addressing the industrial, schools, religious and individual neighborhoods as well as outlying communities as time allows.
Book signings as well as an explanation of materials used will be held on Sundays at the Museum.


Purchase his book on line for $29.95, plus shipping of $4.95 for Express Mail.


The last weekend in September the Museum will host an "Official American Girl Party" where our "American Girls" especially Samantha and Nellie, who's home so resembles the museum, will rule over the party and the doll room will officially host the party.  The Party will be specially decorated for girls of all ages.  See next page for details and watch newspapers for details.

 
Below is  An early wood cut of the museum as it appeared from the front in 1882 or so around the time it was constructed by James Weese for industrial Millionaire Hiram B. Scutt.  He had previously lived near here and now we know where after extensive research.





The Museum desperately needs your support to save it from demolition and becoming a parking lot for Bicentennial Park.  Please help.  No donation is too small.  If you are looking for graceful ambiance and true historical presence come and consider us for your next special event!



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