Monastery Museum
The Teutopolis Monastery Museum celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Located off Route 40, at 110 South Garrett Street, in Teutopolis, Illinois, the Museum is open to the public on the first Sunday of the month, April through November. The hours are from 12:30 to 4:00 pm. Admission for adults is $5.00 and $1.00 for children 14 and under. Special group tours for adults or school children can be arranged for days other than the scheduled Sunday openings, by calling the parish office at (217) 961-6404 ext. 236 and leaving a message or email monasterymuseum_st.francis@yahoo.com Most of the museum is housed on the second floor. An elevator is available for access to the first and second floors from the lower level entry.
The story of the monastery building, the Franciscans and Teutopolis are all tightly intertwined. Teutopolis was founded almost 20 years before the arrival of the first Franciscans in 1858. The museum was founded by the Teutopolis Area Bicentennial Commission as a memorial to the members of the Franciscan Order and to the early pioneers who settled the Teutopolis Community.
Housed on the second floor in the former Franciscan Novitiate building the museum has 38 small rooms filled with artifacts from the Franciscans and early pioneers. Of particular interest is a cord machine the Franciscans used to weave a cord which they wear around the waist of their habit. The machine still works and is demonstrated on the tour. Passports, secretarial records, receipts, deeds, furniture, clocks, quilts, toys, various household items, carpentry, farm tools and many more artifacts are also displayed.
You may also view a Franciscan Mausoleum, the only one of its kind in the Midwest. The first Franciscan pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish was the first to be buried in the mausoleum in 1865. After this see the beautiful artistic windows of St. Francis of Assisi Church depicting events in the life of St. Francis. Volunteers are stationed at various tour points to explain displays and assist visitors.
Find us on Facebook at Teutopolis Monastery Museum and read our posts about our community and heritage, and the founding of the Museum in 1975-76.