Franklin County Historic Jail Museum

The Franklin County Historic Preservation Society,  a  501c3 not-for-profit Corporation was founded in 1993 for the purpose of  identifying, restoring and promoting the rich historic inventory  within Franklin County Illinois.

Rallying in urgency , our first endeavor was the acquisition and restoration of The Old Franklin County Jail in Benton.  It defied logic that, armed with only sheer determination and less than one hundred dollars in assets,  we could possibly succeed.  Fast forward nearly two decades, thanks to our many members and partners, we have exceeded all imaginable expectations.  Franklin County Historic Preservation society, based on our record of accomplishments, has proven to be an essential element in the physical, cultural and economic development of Franklin County.