World War II dominated the activities of many members during the 1940's.  Plans for a museum had to be put off until after the war.  However, much was accomplished in spite of war-time activity.  A committee of the Society worked with the American Legion to select a city flag in 1940.  The constitution was amended at the annual dinner meeting in 1941.  The Society secured the use of a vacant building from the Library Board in 1942. That same year the Society displayed at the Hobby Show.  Post War plans for a museum were discussed in 1945, and the following year again saw Peoria as the host city for the semi-annual meeting of the Illinois State Historical Society, October 4th and 5th.  The 15th anniversary of the society was celebrated in 1949.

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A growth in membership and an increase in activity came in the 1950's.  In 1951 the Society was represented at a Regional meting of the Illinois historical societies in Kankakee where ways and means for starting a museum were discussed.  That same year the Pimiteoui marker was dedicated.  The Society assisted the State of Illinois in studying and approving a plan for the restoration of Jubilee College in 1953.  The Society became a corporation (non-profit) in 1954.  The following year 1,000 items were catalogued.  Haskell Armstrong represented the Society on a committee to obtain an old steam locomotive for the Peoria Park in 1956.  At the annual dinner meeting in 1959, the Peoria Historical Society celebrated its 25th anniversary.

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Unquestionably, the highlighting event of the 1960's was the acquisition of the Flanagan Home as a permanent residence and museum for the Society.  On November 21, 1960, Reverend Ralph Cummins made a motion that the sum of $25.25 (the profit from a local tour sponsored by the Society) be used to set up a savings account for the explicit purpose of building a Peoria Historical Society Museum in the future,  and to which contributions could be made.

The motion carried and from this meager start a movement began for the acquisition of a permanent home for the Society.  In 1961 the Peoria Journal Star sponsored a contest to determine the oldest structure standing in the city of Peoria.  In cooperation with the Peoria Journal Star the Society selected the John C. Flanagan home as the winner of this contest.  It was suggested that this residence would make an ideal Home and Historical museum for the society.

The option to purchase the home was taken on February 19, 1962, and contributions were sought from the public during the summer of that year.  It was at this time that the Peoria Chapter of the National Daughters of the American Revolution made a generous contribution to the purchase fund and requested that the organization be allowed to headquarter and meet regularly in the building which request was granted.  The fund drive was successful, and enough money was collected to purchase the home and make some repairs.  On June 8 and 9, 1963, Dedication Ceremonies were held, and the Home was opened to the public. 

On July 29 and 30, 1961, The Peoria Historical Society was host to the Regional Meeting of the Illinois State Historical Society.  The Society sponsored a booth and historical exhibit at the heart of Illinois Fair in July, 1962.  On October 5, 1963, The Peoria Historical Society was awarded a certificate of recognition for "Distinguished Service to American History."  This award was given by the Illinois State Historical Society.  A plaque, commemorating the place on High Point Road where Charles Lindbergh landed and took off regularly in Peoria on his mail route from St. Louis to Chicago, was dedicated in 1964.  Later that same year the Forest Park Foundation which had provided and installed this plaque also provided a bronze plaque appropriately inscribed for the exterior front wall of our headquarters building.  It was placed near the main entrance and formally dedicated.  The Society celebrated its 30th Anniversary at the Annual Dinner Meeting that year.  Also, the constitution was amended at this same meeting to provide for proper care and maintenance of the museum.  In cooperation with the Illinois State Historical Society, The Peoria Historical Society acted as co-sponsor of the Annual Meeting of the Illinois Student Historians (Central Region) on April 3, 1965.

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