De Moulin Museum

"DeMoulin Museum in Greenville is one of the most special, unique places I've ever been (And I've visited a lot of small, small town museums). The museum preserves the memorabilia and products manufactured for over a hundred years by the DeMoulin Bros factory in town. It honors the employees' memories and stories. They started out making wacky popular initiation devices for fraternal lodge organizations and ended up designing and sewing costumes and uniforms for the same plus marching bands and graduation regalia. And the factory is still going strong with its band uniform division, a big town employer! At the museum, I particularly like the turn of the last century Photography (the lead DeMoulin brother Ed actually invented some camera tricks!), the family history stories, and the unusual factory office memos and communications produced among the more usual day-to-day business of manufacturing and marketing. Lodges were very appreciative of the products and were interested in having the most crazy and absurd devices to attract membership. This brings us to THE GOATS! Now, I've never myself ridden Winkadink the goat (and admitting this publicly may summon my doom), but judging by the action photographs of happy riders, it's great fun combined with minimal danger. The DeMoulin Museum is attempting to collect a specimen of each of the goats that were sold and the collection is so close to completion now. Un-restored Ferris Wheel goat greets you at the "lodge room" and his friends can be found farther inside with collapsing chairs and squirting boxes. Get your picture taken as part of a catalog page or riding the goat! It's free!"

"Stopped by while in town with my sweetheart. The tour guide explained the history of de moulin and let us browse. I was impressed that they still do all the production in Greenville."

"My husband and I enjoyed this museum with a special tour. The curator was very nice and informative. The history of the uniforms and regalia was fascinating. Photos along with the artifacts give a great deal of history. If you like marching band uniforms, you will like the collection. The earliest uniform is from 1900's or a bit earlier. De Moulin made the band uniforms for Atlanta Olympics, very nice work. Facilities are ADA equipped and very clean. Bring your family for a fun visit."

"Truly a unique and amazing find in a beautiful small southern Illinois town. You won't walk in with any sort of expectation because nobody can explain what you are about to experience to anyone not from this town. When you leave, you will have experienced and learned a great deal about fraternal organizations and their impact on our society for well over 100 years. Do yourself a favor and stop by if you are in the area."

"We happen to stop by this after seeing it online, only to get to the door and see its closed on Sundays in November. Almost leaving, John popped out and asked if we still wanted to come in and go for a tour!!!! It was the highlight of the week so far. John is knowledgeable, friendly and kind. So much more to this museum then the weird and strange. If you happen to be driving down 70 through Illinois and don't stop here you'll regret it!!!"