TOP 30 National park service in Lockport, Illinois

The Will County Historical Museum and Research Center, located at 803 South State Street in Lockport, Illinois, is a museum dedicated to preserving the rich history of Will County. Originally built in 1837 as the headquarters for the Illinois and Michigan Canal commissioners, this historic building played a crucial role in the design and construction of the canal that connected the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico. In 1969, the building was transferred to the Will County Historical Society, which officially opened the museum in 1970. Since then, the museum has been home to a collection of artifacts and exhibits that showcase the history of Will County, Illinois. The building was recognized by the National Park Service and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.