The Alton Museum of History and Art covers the city's substantial historical record — its role in the Civil War, the Underground Railroad, the Lincoln-Douglas debate that took place here, and the story of Robert Wadlow, who grew up in the city and whose personal effects are displayed in detail.
The museum has a good collection of 19th-century artefacts and photographs, with particular depth on the river-town culture of the Upper Mississippi in the 1800s. The Wadlow exhibit draws the most visitors — his clothes, shoes (size 37AA), and a cast of his hand are displayed alongside photographs from his childhood through his brief adulthood. The museum is located on Landmarks Boulevard and is small enough to cover thoroughly in an hour.