Attractions History & Heritage

Dillon Home Museum

Sterling, Illinois - Whiteside County
Home / What to Do / Attractions / History & Heritage / Dillon Home Museum

Hours:

  • Thursday: see hours listed
  • Friday: see hours listed
  • Saturday: see hours listed

Amenities:

  • Family Friendly
  • Paid Admission
  • Guided Tour
  • Open to the public

Details

The Dillon Home is located in the heart of Sterling and is a work of Italianate Architecture. It was built in 1858 for Civil War Brigadier General Edward Needles Kirk.

Home to P.W. Dillon, owner of Northwestern Steel and Wire, the home is filled with treasures and virtually untouched by time, and the home’s grandeur is a remarkable sight. P.W. Dillon’s wife was -an avid collector of eclectic pieces and period furniture. Unlike other historic home museums, The Dillon Home retains all the original furnishings and belongings, as the family donated the entire estate to the Sterling Park District after PW’s passing in 1980.

The home is open for tours (see hours below) and weddings. Unlike any other venue in our region, the manicured, spacious grounds, fountain, and towering two-story enclosed porch will be the perfect backdrop for any special occasion.

Tour Hours

Thursday-Friday:
10 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 2 pm
Appointment only from 3-5 pm.

The 2nd Weekend of every month | Saturday & Sunday:
10 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 2 pm
Appointment only from 3-5 pm.

Admission

5 and under: Free
General Ages 6–59: $6.50
Senior (60+): $5.50

Meeting Types:

  • Business Meetings
  • Weddings
  • Family Reunions
@🚨 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧! 🚨 Say hello to our #Interactive 𝟰-𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗽, now live on our homepage! 🎉 Whether planning a road trip, a weekend adventure or looking for a hideaway nearby, this clickable map makes exploring NW Illinois easier.

📍 Find it on our homepage 👉 at link in bio and scroll down!

Tag your adventure buddy, and let’s start exploring! 🚗💨
🔍 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙨:
✔️ Click on any of the numbered locations 🏕️🏛️🎭
✔️ Instantly get details about top attractions, historical sites, outdoor adventures, and more
Tag your adventure buddy, and let’s start exploring! 🚗💨 

📍 Find it on our homepage 👉 www.visitnorthwestillinois.com

Tag your adventure buddy, and let’s start exploring! 🚗💨

#VisitNWIllinois  #ExploreLocal #AdventureAwaits #HiddenGems  #midleofeverything @exploresavanna @visitleecountyil  @visitcarrollcounty  @enjoyillinois @visitrockfalls @visitfulton
Don't miss the 🦅❄️ 5th 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼
𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸 on Sat, Feb 8! Start your day with 🦅🦅
eagle viewing at the Lower Dam (300 West 1st Street, #RockFallsIL) before 10 AM. Then, from 10 AM to 2 PM, head to the Rock Falls American Legion (712 4th Avenue) for live birds of prey, Native American storytelling, ice sculpting, and more! This f𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲, 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆-𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗹𝗹.

𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 👉 at link in bio, under "EVENTS."

#visitnwillinois #enjoyillinois @enjoyillinois  #middleofeverything Visit Rock Falls 
#FlockToTheRock #EagleWatching
Don't miss the 🦅❄️ 5th 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸 on Sat, Feb 8! Start your day with 🦅🦅 eagle viewing at the Lower Dam (300 West 1st Street, #RockFallsIL) before 10 AM. Then, from 10 AM to 2 PM, head to the Rock Falls American Legion (712 4th Avenue) for live birds of prey, Native American storytelling, ice sculpting, and more! This f𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲, 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆-𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗹𝗹. 

𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 👉 at link in bio, under "EVENTS."

#visitnwillinois #enjoyillinois
@enjoyillinois #middleofeverything @visitrockfalls #FlockToTheRock #EagleWatching #RockFallsIL #FamilyFun #NatureLovers
💌 February fun is here! From artful portraits to shopping sprees, eagle watching, and Galentine’s celebrations—there’s something for everyone. 🛍️🦅💖 https://swiy.co/OTAe

📍 Windows to the Soul – Experience breathtaking portraits in Oregon.
🛍️ Cupid Shop & Shuffle – Shop ‘til you drop in Dixon.
🦅 Flock to the Rock – Witness majestic eagles in Rock Falls.
💖 Galentine’s Day in Savanna – Celebrate with your besties in style!
#VisitNWillinois @enjoyillinois Enjoy Illinois  #enjoyillinois #valentinesday #middleofeverything @visitrockfalls Visit Rock Falls @discoverdixon Discover Dixon CMAAA Oregon IL Area Chamber of Commerce
💘 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆, 𝘀𝗲𝘁, 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗣 & 𝗦𝗛𝗨𝗙𝗙𝗟𝗘🏹✨

On Tuesday, 𝗙𝗲𝗯 𝟲 (𝟯-𝟴 𝗣𝗠), Downtown #DixonIL is THE place to be! Snag exclusive deals, sip on specialty drinks, and treat yourself (or your boo) to something sweet! 🍷🍫

🎁 Shop local & be entered to 𝗪𝗜𝗡 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝘅𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀!

Who’s coming with you? Tag your Valentine’s shopping squad! ⬇️

@discoverdixon @visitleecountyil 

#CupidShopAndShuffle #DixonIL #ValentinesVibes #ShopSmall #FoodieDate #RetailTherapy #visitnwillinois
It’s the one day a year when a groundhog becomes the ultimate weather influencer. Will we get six more weeks of winter, or is spring ready to make its grand entrance? Either way, we’re just here for the drama (and the adorable rodent).

Shadow or no shadow… let’s make the most of it!

#GroundhogsDay #WeatherPredictionsAreHard #ShadowOrNotWeExplore #VisitNWIllinois
🎶✨ Live music is calling in #SavannaIL! 🎤🎸 Catch #SophiCoyote at Music at the Museum for a night filled with soulful folk, Americana, and original tunes. 🌟

📅 Jan. 31
⏰ 7:30 p.m.
📍 Savanna Museum and Cultural Center

#MusicAtTheMuseum #SophiCoyote #LiveMusic #SavannaIL #VisitNWIL #visitnwillinois @enjoyillinois #enjoyillinois #middleofeverything #livemusic @visitcarrollcounty @exploresavanna
🎭 Lights, stage, action! At @TimberLakePlayhouse, every seat is the best seat in the house. ✨ Come for the performances, stay for the memories. 🖤🌟 It's going to be a fantastic Summer!

#VisitNWillinois @enjoyillinois #middleofeverything @visitcarrollcountyil #enjoyillinois #MountCarrollIL #LiveTheatre #TimberLakePlayhouse

TRAVEL GUIDE

Request a free copy or view our latest guide online.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Ideas and resources to help plan your next real getaway in NW Illinois.