Griggsville

Thanks to local entrepreneur and nature enthusiast, J.L. Wade, Griggsville has the distinction of being the Purple Martin Capital of the nation. Purple Martin bird houses, produced locally, line Quincy Street and stand in many residents yards waiting for the mosquito eating song birds to return from Brazil each spring. Be sure and see the forty foot tower consisting of forty three individual bird houses for the martins who prefer high rise apartments. Drive through the Historic District and enjoy a look at lovely old homes. Griggsville, another Pike County apple producer, pays homage to the apple each fall with an Apple Festival.

Nature House Plant
The collection of displayed antique wildlife art is surely the largest in North America. Artists of the last 300 years are represented here. You will see works by Selby, Catesby, Audubon, Gould and Jardine. There are prints as old as 250 years. Contemporary works of nature art on display indude many by Sloan, rrnm, Wampler, Ellis, Hart and Avinoff. A series of American state bird prints of Sloan originals, have been signed and sealed by state governors. AO 50 states are represented. Additionally a Sloan bald eagle print has the signature of Gerald Ford, signed when he was the sitting president. There are bird and mammal mountings to see and just for fun, there is also a display of railroad memorabilia. At one time Nature Society art collections were housed in railroad cars at Purple Martin Junction. Artwork is on display at the Nature House Plant, open M-F, 8am - 5pm, closed the first 2 weeks of July annually.

Skinner House Visitors Center & Museum
This 1858 house was renovated by local citizens and is used as a community center as well as housing personal effects of Nellie Grant Sartoris Jones. Nellie was the only daughter of U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant. Also on display is a collection of duck decoys and bird carvings by the late, local artisan Page Hatch. A small genealogy library is available. After touring the house, take a walk through the lovely flower gardens. The Skinner House is open year round on a limited basis.

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Pike County Chamber of Commerce
224 West Washington St.
Pittsfield, IL 62363
217-285-2971
Fax: 217-285-5251
E-mail: info@pikeil.org

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