Daphne Sumner History Discovery Center

The Daphne Sumner History Discovery Center (DSHDC) welcomes all to explore the amazing history of St. Clair County.

Opened in 2024, the DSHDC serves the core of the St. Clair County Historical Society’s mission: education, preservation, and community outreach.

The DSHDC transformed a 1909 Queen Anne style house into a hub for history in the heart of historic downtown Belleville.

On the first floor of the DSHDC, the Roger Schlueter Research Library holds an extensive collection of books, maps, periodicals, and other research materials which cover the depth and breadth of the county’s history. The library also hosts lectures, workshops, and other educational programs.

Artifact conservatories and secure storage facilities inhabit the second floor of the DSHDC. These spaces allow the Society’s staff, volunteers, and partners to research the collection, create exhibits, and preserve the treasures of Illinois’s oldest county.

research library sign

Go to top