Welcome to the Pana History Museum
Pana has much to offer the visitor to Central Illinois. From Anderson Prairie and the Tallgrass Butterfly House to Coal Creek Village, historic Kitchell Park, the Kitchell Mansion, and the Pana History Museum featuring the world class butterfly collection of Joe Selle. We hope you enjoy your visit.
Pana History 
Butterfly Collection 
Veteran Recognition The Pana History Museum is proud to recognize the contributions of our community’s veterans to the cause of freedom. Thank you to the men and women who serve the nation, and by extension their home town.
Latest News, Resource Additions, and Articles
- Mike Cross, Local Author Sue Ade, and WW2 Displaced Person Irena Golcvegaite
Young Irena Golcvegaite and her family became refugees when the Soviet Union invaded Lithuania. The invasion of Lithuania was just the beginning of the Golcvegaite family nightmare. Follow along as Mike Cross, author Sue Ade interview Irena Golcvegaite as she tells her story that begins with suffering, struggles in the middle with a new beginning,… Read more: Mike Cross, Local Author Sue Ade, and WW2 Displaced Person Irena Golcvegaite - Introduction to a New Video SeriesIn this episode of the Pana History Podcast the Pana History Museum is proud to announce a new video series. This series of videos will honor our local veterans and hopefully illuminate the trials and tribulations they endure while fighting for our freedom. We hope you enjoy this series of videos. Thank you.
- Mike Cross Interviews Ralph Falconbury Part 2 & 3
This is part 2 & 3 of the interview Mike Cross conducted with Ralph Falconbury. In part two Mike and Ralph delve a little further into the preservation of headstones and cemeteries. In part 3 they will discuss a few of the things Ralph does to bring awareness to the veterans issues. Ralph puts a… Read more: Mike Cross Interviews Ralph Falconbury Part 2 & 3 - Mike Cross interviews Ralph Falconbury – Part 1Hello everyone! Here we are and we’re back with another video! In this video Mike interviews Marine Corps veteran and Pana resident Ralph Falconbury. Ralph is an interesting fellow and we’re appreciative that he took the time to come sit with us for this interview, Ralph thank you. For those of you who don’t know… Read more: Mike Cross interviews Ralph Falconbury – Part 1
- Mike Cross Interviews Pana Resident Charlie Downs Part 2This is part of 2 of the History Museum’s interview with Charlie Downs. in part 2 Charlie discusses horrible heat and drought that destroyed the economy yet Downs Motors survived. We hope you enjoy watching the video as much as we did filming it. Charlie is an interesting man who has witnessed incredible history. Charlie… Read more: Mike Cross Interviews Pana Resident Charlie Downs Part 2
- Sanborn Maps – City of Pana – 1893Round two of the Sanborn maps. These are the 1893 edition. Again, checkout the makers mark in the upper right corner of map 1. Map 1. Download from this link: https://panahistorymuseum.org/wp-uploads/sanborn/1893/sanborn_pana-1893.jpg Map 2. Download from this link: https://panahistorymuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/sanborn/1893/sanborn_pana-1893-02081_1893-0002.jpg Map 3. Download from this link: https://panahistorymuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/sanborn/1893/sanborn_pana-1893-02081_1893-0003.jpg
- Sanborn Maps – City of Pana – 1886It is believed these maps came from the Library of Congress. These are Sanborn Maps from 1886. I took a screenshot of the maker’s mark. The Maps Map 1 To download the full-size image: https://panahistorymuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/sanborn_pana-1886-02081_1886-0001.jpg Map 2 To download the full-size mage: https://panahistorymuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/sanborn-pana-886-02081_1886-0002.jpg