Nauvoo Tourist Attractions
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Nauvoo, situated on the Mississippi, on the border with Iowa, played a prominent part in the history of the Mormons. After their prophet Joseph Smith was driven out of Missouri they followed him to this area and established a kind of independent state. Conflicts with opponents and within the Mormon church culminated in the lynching and murder of Smith and his brother in the local prison. Brigham Young then led the Mormons to Utah. The Mormon period in Nauvoo is recalled by the Joseph Smith Historic Center and the Brigham Young Home in the Nauvoo Restoration Visitor Center.
Joseph Smith Historic Center
The Joseph Smith Historic Center retells the story of the Latter Day Saint movement in Nauvoo during the early 1840s. Original paintings of Nauvoo by David Hyrum Smith as well as artifacts from the people who lived during that period in time in Nauvoo are displayed. Guided walking tours begin at the Visitors Center and continue through the Smith family's homes.
Homestead
The Homestead was the first home for the Smith family in nauvoo. This 1803 log cabin features original and antique furnishings. Daily demonstrations are presented at the Homestead during the summer months allowing visitors to have a glimpse of life in the 19th century. The graves of Joseph, Emma and Hyrum Smith are nearby.
Lucy Mack-Smith Home
Lucy Mack Smith was the mother of the Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith. When the Mormons left Nauvoo in 1846, Lucy Mack-Smith stayed in Nauvoo awaiting the establishment of the settlement. However she died in Illinois. Joseph's wife Emma Smith did not go westward either.
Red Brick Store
The Red Brick Store is a reconstruction of Joseph Smith's store and office, built in 1841. In 1980 the Red Brick Store was restored to its 1840s appearance. Many of the typical items found in the store in the 1840s are on display.
Mansion House
In 1842 Joseph built this frame house just across the street from the Homestead. The original residence part of the home still stands today.
Heber C. Kimball Home
Heber C Kimball was the prime counselor to Brigham Young. The home was built in 1845 but the family only lived in it for a few months before joining the trek west with other Latter Day Saints. The Heber C. Kimball home has been restored and furnished with antiques.
Nauvoo State Park
Once the site of a Fox Indian village, then settled by Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1839. The 148-acre park includes a 13-acre lake that allows for fishing, boating, camping and hiking.The on-site museum is housed in a house built by Mormons in the 1840s.
Nauvoo Pageant (formerly City of Joseph Pageant)
The Nauvoo Pageant is an outdoor musical that tells the story of Nauvoo and the Latter-day Saints. Part of the pageant includes historical presentations about Old Nauvoo.
LDS Visitor Center
The LDS Visitor Center is the starting point for 24 restored homes and shops in the historic district of Nauvoo.
Brigham Young Home
Built in 1842, the Brigham Young Nauvoo Home has been completely restored. Brigham Young was the second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The home served as a meeting place for the presiding councils of the Church until the Saints headed westward in 1846.
Jonathan Browning Home and Gun Shop
The Jonathan Browning Home and Gun Shop has been reconstructed, and contains a gun and rifle collection. The collection represents the beginnings of the Browning Arms Corporation.
Pendleton Log Home
Built in 1844, this log cabin was the home of Dr. Calvin Pendleton and his family. Dr Pendleton taught reading, writing, and arithmetic in this log schoolroom. His other interests included doctoring and gunsmithing.
Seventies Hall
The Seventies Hall was built in 1844 as the headquarters for the Seventies. They were men who belonged to a priesthood quorum and focused on missionary work, within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Wilford Woodruff House
Wilford Woodruff became the fourth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Construction began in 1841 on this Midwest Federal-style building. The home features the original furnishings and a fireplace in every room.
