Welcome

The Kibbe Museum is located in Carthage, Illinois and houses a collection of artifacts relating to the history of Hancock County and western Illinois.  In addition, the museum also recently acquired the former collection of the Illinois Funeral Director’s Funeral Customs Museum. This world-class collection documents the material and social history of the mortuary profession and American funeral customs.

Long view toward the surgeon’s tent.

Museum exhibits cover the varied aspects of life in western Illinois from the early frontier days through the early 20th century.  Our approach to exhibit design permits closer viewing of most artifacts than you will normally experience in other museums.  Many of our volunteers are retired teachers who delight in leading school-aged youngsters on tours that are both entertaining and educational.