vermilion county war museum

There is Soooo much Information here. Information and actually items from history. There are veterans who will take the time to talk to you and answer your questions. This place is worth more than one visit!

This museum has a huge number of items and was very interesting. I arrived right after they opened on a Saturday morning, paid my $4 admission fee and was surprised to be given a volunteer tour guide that took me on a personal tour for over an hour. The museum is much larger than it looks and covers every US war from the Revolutionary War through the present. A huge number of scrapbooks from soldiers are excellent primary sources for research.

This fine museum honoring Vermilion County men and women of all our wars is a living tribute to Harold "Sparky" Songer, the moving force behind its creation and its improvement over time. I am perhaps biased because there is a display honoring my father and three of his brothers who served in WWII. My father was killed in the Battle of the Bulge near Bastogne and is at final rest in Luxembourg. Another uncle - Hank Shouse, also a WWII vet -- prepared the display.Sparky, a WWII vet, died earlier this month (January 2014). The VCWM is his legacy.

This museum is well laid out and is also a gorgeous building. The building is historical which adds to the experience. Danville, IL has many local heros in the wars and some of their stories are told via the displays. The museum is run completely by volunteers and was built with donations. It is truly a place to visit.

This war museum rivals some of the country's best. It has so much information and the displays are so well done. It is operated solely on volunteers and donations. I recommend a visit for any history buff.

Danville, Illinois is the home to THE VERMILION COUNTY WAR MUSEUM. There are two floors with more than 5,000 exhibits ranging from the Revolutionary War to Iraqi Freedom. There are 4,000 books, hundreds of uniforms from all branches of the military and all wars. Our guide proudly informed, entertained, intrigued as he ushered his audience through various exhibits. I occasionally would wander on my own and listen to the spirit of America, there, pulsating with peaceful strength. I was gripped by the hush of breath of heroes and martyrs. As I fingered uniforms, I gently nudged the essence of our Freedom. I was humbled by the magnitude of loss. I stood in a shrine of men and women who gave me the ability/freedom to sit and type my selfish thoughts, to select a fantastic restaurant for dinner, to pop into any establishment in the country and chat with free merchants or volunteers, buy a new phone with no censor, watch "I Love Lucy" or eat pizza all night long, if I so desire. The men and women, who unselfishly perished in Military campaigns extended the freedom to learn and work to immigrants, such as my Italian Grandparents. Soldiers, Prisoners of War, those Missing In Action, Veterans and casualties all strengthened the Statue of Liberty's arms to embrace those seeking life and liberty. Thank you, Mr. Johnson for our extreme knowledge, participation and enthusiasm. I believe that you are the backbone of The Vermilion County War Museum Society.I will share the words (more lengthy piece given to me to share) of Harry Johnson, a World War II Veteran and Curator/Guide of the Museum. Mr. Johnson wrote: "NO Glory" The Museum is not here to glorify or perpetuate war...Please honor the aura and wonderment of the Museum as you view the exhibits, realizing that you have seen a lot of history!"Danville, Illinois is historic, friendly. My impression is that there are no strangers and that there are friendly faces willing to share bits of themselves with a visitor. A visitor will most certainly appreciate the hospitality, sincerity and generosity of the spirit of the Museum and Danville.

we went in to see about giving them my father-in-law's old "dress greens" but they said no thanks!!! " We have plenty, lol." They sure did. Along with alot of other Very COOL stuff. The older guys in there were so nice, and let us walk around, didn't bother us but waited until we asked questions. I love museums like this, where we can go and learn about our history from the people who were there, LIVING HISTORY!!!!

I had an uncle that grew up in Danville many years ago, he fought in WWII, he lived and returned to Danville, later he my aunt moved to Florida as all people in their generation do. The War museum is located in the old city library that was built by Carnegie. The museum houses many pictures and artifacts and has the best group of volunteers, they seem to know everything, please take the time to stop in and talk with them, they will keep you so interested.

This was the best experience I ever could have hoped for with my friends and family. I took friends from out of state and my family of four for a tour that felt like a personal look into every exhibit on the tour. I would recommend this to anyone even close to Danville. THANK YOU to the people that run and support this museum.

Tons of artifacts on display representing every war that the US has had involvement. The volunteers are very eager to share their knowledge. Donations accepted, but not required - they only ask for $2 per adult. Good way to spend a couple of hours.