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The Collinsville Historical Museum was founded in 1976. The idea originated as a Bicentennial project for the Collinsville Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). DAR along with the assistance of the Collinsville Women's Club implemented the project and formed a Friends of the Collinsville Historical Museum organization. This organization provides support and volunteers for the staffing and operation of the Museum. The Museum was housed in a lower-level room of the Collinsville Memorial Library.
Collection of artifacts by the library staff and board began approximately 20 years prior to the foundation of the Museum n 1976. In 1972, Irving Dilliard, the local library president at the time, acquired the Collins family trunk and artifacts from Emily Steeg James, great-great granddaughter of William and Elizabeth Collins. The Collins were one of the original families in the town, which bears this name today. This acquisition provides a unique and inspirational background of our community, and started a fledging Museum collection. The Museum continues to maintain and encourage the conservation and presentation of area treasures for current and future residents of Collinsville.
In 2001, the Collinsville Historical Museum celebrated its 25th Anniversary of existence. Since its foundation in 1976 it has continued to thrive under the faithful dedication of the Friends of Collinsville Historical Museum.
As early as 1999, the Friends of the Historical Museum realized the Museum had outgrown the lower-level room of the Collinsville Memorial Library. It needed more room and a new identity. The Museum had always been a part of the library, instead of an entity to be recognized as a vital part of the community. Plans were set into action to look into a larger facility.
A State Building Grant for $488,200 was awarded in 2004, which provided for construction of a new facility. The official ground breaking for the new Collinsville Historical Museum was in March 2006. This facility was completed in the fall of 2006 and is located adjacent to the Collinsville Memorial Library Center. The move of the Museum from the lower-level of the library to the present location was completed in January 2007. On January 9, 2007 dedicated volunteers of the Museum and Collinsville city officials gathered at the official ribbon cutting for the new facility. The grand opening of the Collinsville Historical Museum was held on January 13, 2007.
In May 2011, the Collinsville Historical Museum received a donation of $257,800 from the estate of Helen Jane Bouril. This is the largest single donation received in the history of the Museum. | 
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