About

The Rock Island County Historical Society is a non-profit organization founded in 1905 by a group of community leaders dedicated to preserving the history of Rock Island County.  Our facilities are located at 822 11th Avenue, in a 1870s home and adjoining research archival library in an historic district of Moline, Illinois.  Built by Edmund Atkinson in 1877-78, the house eventually became the home of Burton Peek, who was president of Deere & Co.  After his death in 1963, the home was purchased  by Mrs. Charles Deere Wiman and donated to the historical society for the purpose of storing the history of the county. 

In 1992, a library was built to collect the records which were formerly kept in the basement of the house.  The library is used extensively by local and visiting genealogists,  businesses, the news media and the academic community.  The wealth of materials in the library continues to grow, and a volunteer staff provides assistance.

To learn more about the Society, please click on the embedded links to read about Historical Society History, our Community Outreach efforts, and our Officers and Board of Directors page, or by scheduling a visit today by contacting us at (309) 764-8590 or richs@richs.cc.