The museum adaptively reuses an urban space formerly occupied by the Ottawa Street Methodist Church, which was designed by Joliet architect G. Julian Barnes, and built in 1909.

[2] During the late 20th century, formerly rural Will County townships grew rapidly, while properties in central city Joliet were threatened.

[3] As of 2014[update], the museum was seeking to establish guided tours of the landmark former Collins Street Prison, originally built in 1858, for Route 66 travelers and other interested tourists.

[8] In the months after, the museum received the $1 million grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity that was holding up the closing.

[13] The inspector general, Sean Connolly, advised the city to conduct an audit of the museum before providing any additional funding.