The Lebanon Historical Society

The Lebanon Historical Society was founded in 1964 by Mr. Leon Church. He founded this organization to preserve the Mermaid House where Charles Dickens spent the night in 1842. He also was the key player in preserving Emerald Mound outside of Lebanon, Illinois and he also was a huge part in the attempt to save the St. Clair County Courthouse from demolition by the County. He was also President of the Alumni Association who was responsible for saving the chapel and restoring the chapel. 

It is our mission to continue both the legacy of Leon and Helen Church as well as his son Harrison and Harriet Church
who upon his father’s passing led our organization for three more decades. 

The Church’s were pillars of our community, and it is our goal to provide the place and opportunity to share Lebanon’s incredible history and preserve it for future generations to enjoy. 

Our Projects 

• Mermaid House – Located at 114 East St. Louis Street, Lebanon, Illinois  62254 this is the jewel of Lebanon. Charles Dickens, the English author of timeless classics like A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, and Great Expectations, spent the night here in 1842 on a part of an American Tour where he traveled as far as St. Louis, Missouri.  Mr. Dickens was fairly outspoken against the American practice of slavery but spoke fondly of the “Looking Glass Prairie.”  He actually chose stay at this Inn over the fancier hotel in Lebanon, because it had the perfect view of the prairie.
  The Mermaid House is open for tours during most Brick Street events.
  Please check our Facebook page for dates and times.

• The Trolly – Restored by a local residents. Rehab work began spring 2020 resulting in converting a “rusty bucket” into what you can see today. The canvas half-doors were installed in July 2022. When visiting be sure to look at photos on the Bulletin Board outside the Trolley. The Trolley is a small streetcar that only has two axles and four 27 inch wheels. Each axle is equipped with an electric motor that operates on 600 volt current. The car is 25 feet long, 11 feet tall and 6 feet wide and ran in either direction with controls at either end located in the pilot houses. The trolley first arrived in Lebanon on January 31, 2005. This particular car is not the one that actually ran in Lebanon but similar in size that ran in the St. Louis area. The Trolley is located at 1 Perryman St, Lebanon, IL 62254.
  The trolly is open for self guided tours and during most Brick Street events,

• Community Museum, formerly the Advertiser Building – Leon and Helen Church, along with Harriet and Harrison Church were the owners of the Lebanon Advertiser from 1939 until 2014.
  It holds the title for being the longest operating business on our beloved brick street.  The Church’s family dream was for the Advertiser building to become a community museum. The building and most of the contents, including a very rare Linotype were donated to the Lebanon Historical Society by Harriet Church, Harrison Church’s widow. It is an old building filled with all manner of curiosities acquired over the last hundred years. With community involvement and donations, the Lebanon Historical Society’s goal is in sight. Our front window is always available to view, with displays featuring historical items. The main floor has community displays and an archive room that is open during most Lebanon’s Brick Street events. The lower level has tentative plans for an ADA restroom, walk-in lower level entrance, large displays and a meeting area. This building is our community museum and is open for tours during most Brick Street events.
  Please check our Facebook page for dates and times.

• Architecture– Our many historic homes, historic shopping district, and McKendree College Buildings. 

• Our Community – Our community is by far our greatest asset. It is the people and our traditions, past and present, of Lebanon that make us so unique. 

Where To Find Us 

We meet the third Tuesday of every month in the lower level of the Visitor Center at 6:30pm.
Mail: The Lebanon Historical Society 114 East St. Louis Street, Lebanon, Illinois  62254
Email: LebanonHistoricalSociety.IL@gmail.com
Facebook: The Lebanon Historical Society