Pierre Menard Home State Historic Site, Driftless Area Travel Guide

The Pierre Menard Home State Historic Site offers a unique window into the life and times of Pierre Menard, a prominent figure in early Illinois history. Built around 1815, the home is an outstanding example of French Creole architecture in the central Mississippi Valley. Its design features a distinctive double-hipped roof and a galerie (porch) that wraps around the front façade and gable ends.Pierre Menard (1766-1844) was a successful fur trader and businessman who became the first lieutenant governor of Illinois, serving from 1818 to 1822. He played a significant role in the region's development during the territorial and early statehood years. The home reflects the lifestyle of an affluent businessman and gentleman farmer in early 19th-century Illinois.The site encompasses the home, grounds, and several outbuildings, including a stone kitchen, a reconstructed brick smokehouse, and a reproduction stone springhouse. Inside the home, visitors can view living spaces on the principal floor, furnished with period pieces, many of which belonged to the Menard family. A museum on the ground level provides historical context and information about the Menard family and the surrounding area. The grounds are open year-round from sunrise to sunset. The home is open seasonally, May through October, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.The Pierre Menard Home is located near the Mississippi River, close to the site of the original town of Kaskaskia, Illinois' first capital. Due to flooding, much of the original town has been lost, making the Pierre Menard Home a valuable link to the state's early history.