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Benjamin Stephenson House

Historic building
In Edwardsville, Illinois
0.3 mi from Route 66
National Register of Historic Places

The Benjamin Stephenson House in Edwardsville, IL, was finished in 1820 in the Federal style for Benjamin Stephenson, a leading local citizen and Illinois politician. After passing through many owners, it was bought by the city in 1999 and restored to how it looked in the 1820s, then opened as a public museum. It is the oldest house in town and sits less than a mile off the old road.

What is Benjamin Stephenson House?

Built in the Federal style, the house dates from 1820. An ell, or side wing, added in 1845 changed its look, and later owners made further big changes. The restoration aimed to undo that and bring back the house as it was in the 1820s.

It stands out for two reasons: its architecture and its ties to early Illinois politics. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the town's other old home, the John Weir House of 1836, ranks as the second-oldest after it.

History of Benjamin Stephenson House

Stephenson did not live long in his new house; he died soon after it was finished. Fifteen owners followed. The last private one was the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, which sold it to Edwardsville's city government in 1999. Restoration began in 2001 with the aim of opening the house to the public.

The house also has a ghostly side. Stories of strange happenings go back to at least the 1970s, although no recent reports exist. It was listed on the National Register in 1980.

Visiting Benjamin Stephenson House: tips

Allow about an hour for a visit. Restrooms and parking are on site, and the museum reports wheelchair access and a welcome for kids. Entry is not free.

Edwardsville's historic core is compact. The Berleman House and Narodni Sin are each about 0.3 miles away, and the LeClaire Historic District, a planned factory town from the 1890s, is about 0.5 miles off.