About us!
The Schuyler County Jail Museum & Genealogy Center is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of Schuyler County and the people who have called it home. Located inside the historic Schuyler County Jail building in Rushville, Illinois, the museum provides visitors with a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience a piece of the county’s past.
Originally built to house inmates and serve the needs of local law enforcement, the jail building now stands as an important historical landmark. Today, the museum features preserved jail cells, historical artifacts, photographs, and exhibits that tell the stories of early settlers, local government, law enforcement, and everyday life in Schuyler County throughout the years.
In addition to the museum, our Genealogy Center offers resources for those interested in researching their family history. Visitors can explore historical records, documents, and local archives that help connect generations and preserve family stories for the future.
Our mission is to educate, preserve, and celebrate the history of Schuyler County. Through exhibits, research opportunities, and community engagement, we strive to keep the stories of our county alive for residents, visitors, and future generations.
Whether you are a history enthusiast, a student, a researcher, or simply curious about the past, we invite you to visit the Schuyler County Jail Museum & Genealogy Center and discover the history that helped shape our community.
Find us on Facebook HERE!
Officers of the Schuyler Historical Society and Genealogical Society are as follows:
PRESIDENT LINDA ALLEN
VICE-PRESIDENT MARIAN FRETUEG
TRESURER DEAN ROSS
LIBRARIAN
EXCHANGE EDITOR EDIE FISHEL
MUSEUM CURATOR
SPORTS ROOM
MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN SHEILA YATES
RECORDING SECRETARY DONNA SMITH
SECRETARY/ HISTORY JANET KAYS
GENEALOGICALLY SPEAKING/ PUBLICITY MARIAN FRETUEG
SCHUYLERITE EDITORIAL STAFF JOANN KENNEDY, DONNA SMITH & SUZANNE MILLER
OTHER BOARD MEMBERS OR DIRECTORS:
DIANE RIGSBEE, JOAN WOODWORTH & ROBERT LAMBERT
We accept cash & checks only.
Membership:
Dues are $20.00 per year from January 1 to December 31. Please make checks payable to Schuyler Jail Museum. Fill out and return this form along with your dues for 2026. If dues are not paid for 2026, you will not receive the Schuylerite. (Due before April 1, 2026)
LIFETIME MEMBERSHIPS are available for $175.00. Please send SASE if you wish a receipt and membership card. Back issues of the Schuylerite are available from 1972.
Queries:
50 words free to members (excluding name and address). $1.00 charge for each additional 50 words, with the limit of 150 words per query. One query per month per issue.
Exchanges:
Genealogical Societies and others who exchange publications with us should address their publications as follows:
Schuyler Jail Museum
200 South Congress
Rushville, IL 62681
Research, books, etc. - - All payments should be made to: Schuyler Jail Museum



