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The Vermilion County Museum is just the place to learn more about Abraham Lincoln’s connection to Danville. The museum is housed in the Fithian House, a two-story brick Victorian style home built in 1855 by William Fithian, a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, in 1858 Abraham Lincoln gave a speech from the south balcony and the actual bed in which Lincoln slept is on display. The home has been restored and is furnished with original period pieces. Included in the museum’s exhibits of Vermilion County history is a Joseph G. Cannon Room that contains personal items from the representative. The museum is located at 116 North Gilbert. For further information call (217) 442-2922.
Vermilion County War Museum is located in the original Danville Public Library building that was constructed in 1903 and home to the library until 1995. When the library received funds to purchase a new library, the old building was donated to the Vermilion County War Museum. After several years of restoration, the museum opened to the public in 1999. With contributions from area residents, the museum has more than 2,000 artifacts on display from uniforms to flags. Starting with the Revolutionary War and ending with Desert Storm, exhibits detail every war in the history of the United States. The museum also offers a library filled with war-related materials. For more information about the Vermilion County War Museum call (217) 431-0034.