Home of the Brunk Morgan Horse Museum

Recognized by the United States Department of the Interior as a National Historic Property and the first property named a Sangamon County landmark, the Brunk Morgan Horse Museum celebrates six generations of Brunk contributions to the Morgan breed through nearly two centuries. The Brunk family's influence on the modern Morgan horse bloodlines is without parallel.

With a 189 year-old barn and a 179 year-old house (partially destroyed by fire in 2005), the Brunk Museum is situated on the site commonly referred to as "Cotton Hill Farm" located approximately 10 miles southeast of downtown Springfield Illinois

We at the Brunk Museum would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your continued support. Through the years since the inception of the museum, many of you have made donations of money, time, or both. Beginning a Museum is not just something that you do, it takes planning, patience, and lots of volunteer effort. You have made it possible for us to reach the point at which we stand today. Without you, the Brunk Morgan Horse Museum would be but a dream.

The museum grounds currently consist of the Visitor Center building which houses memorabilia from 1898 thru 1960. The collection exhibited will be added to as time and space allow. Some of the items are antique trophies from the 1909 Vermont Morgan Horse Show, ribbons from the 1898 Illinois State Fair and the 1939 Iowa State Fair, and an early Sangamon County Platt book showing location of the Brunk farms. Various areas of the Visitor Center are dedicated to members of the Brunk family and include information specific to them. One interesting item is a letter written in JC Brunk’s hand discussing his thoughts on the Morgan breed.

The Barn is also open for viewing. Demonstrating use of wooden pegs (mortis and tendon construction of the early 1820's era) and numerous early farm implements.
The House has been stabilized following a 2005 fire which destroyed all but the original limestone and brick portion of the structure, and the Board is currently writing for a "brick and mortar" Grant which will allow us to begin restoration of the home to it's early 1830's appearance. Any donations to one or both of these projects will be gratefully accepted.

The museum will host two exciting events this year. September 7, 2008 the Brunk Museum will host the Celebrate the Morgan day. The Mississippi Valley Morgan Horse Club will present a historical morgan demonstration followed by an open breed parade of horses. Grounds open at 11am with the historical demonstration at 1pm.
On October 26, 2008 the museum will host a Youth Fun Show coordinated by the Mississippi Valley Morgan Horse Club.

Please come and visit us, see the museum, and talk a little history, horse or otherwise. Should you wish to contact us by phone, please call Lois at (217) 529-4623. Thanks so much for all you do for the Brunk Morgan Horse Museum!

Sincerely,

Brunk Morgan Horse Museum Board of Directors