Cheney Mansion

Cheney Mansion is located in Jerseyville, IL. The Mansion and surrounding buildings are owned and maintained by the Jersey County Historical Society. Dating back to 1827 the Cheney Mansion has plenty of history. The center part of the Mansion was the first structure built in Jerseyville and was called the Little Red House, it was a stop for the Stage Line which ran through this part of the country. In the basement there is a false cistern that Slaves were hidden in, which served as a "station" for the Underground Railroad.  On September 9, 1909 a meeting was held at the Jersey County courthouse to organize the Jersey County Historical Society.  Since this time many artifacts and museum pieces have made their way back to the Society to be displayed.  Over the years the society's collection of historical documents and artifacts have been housed at several locations. In 1998 the Cheney Mansion and grounds were donated to the society, and it became our permanent location. Since that time the society has added a museum and genealogy lab, as well as other buildings donated to the society consisting of a one room country school and an old country church. We also have three log cabins on the grounds that replicate the three cabins that made up Hickory Grove, this was the name of original settlement that in 1839 became Jerseyville.

We hope you will join us and your financial assistance will keep the home in the condition that we have always wanted it to remain.