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Altamont is home to the Effingham County Fairgrounds. Considered to be one of the best of all county fairs in Illinois, the Effingham County Fair comes to town each year during the first week of August. The fair celebrated its 62nd year in 2007, and has been in Altamont continuously since 1946. Each year the County Fair hosts nationally known country singers, a national touring rodeo, two ITPA truck and tractor pulls, the County Fair Queen pageant, the Effingham County talent show, and the annual Demolition Derby.
In addition to the County Fair, the Fairgrounds are host each year to the Illinois High School Rodeo Finals, the Mill Road Thresherman's gathering and the annual Schützenfest.
The Wright House is a stately Victorian style home built by C.M. Wright I on a five-acre tract of land on upper North Main Street in Altamont, where originally stood a two-story frame house that was the Wright family home. The Wright House was built in 1889 by C.M. Wright I, who studied designs and planned the house and most of the details himself. The builder was C.H. Spilman of Toledo, Illinois who agreed to build the house for a total price of seventeen thousand nine hundred sixty-five dollars with the owner furnishing the materials. The total cost, not including furnishing, was approximately thirty-five thousand dollars. The Wright House has 18 furnished rooms, including seven bedrooms. Much of the original furnishings are still in the rooms. It has a full basement and an unpartitioned attic loft, some twenty-five feet high at the roofs' peak.
The second generation to occupy the home was Dr. C. M. Wright II, who practiced medicine in Altamont for 65 years, his wife and young son, Charles M. Wright III. After retiring in 1977 as a corporate attorney for Shell Oil, Charles III moved back to Altamont to live in the old family home. Charles died in 2001. The Wright home was left in a trust to be preserved, maintained and operated as a public institution by a trustee of the Effingham State Bank. The Wright House Property not for profit) board included the bank trustee and community members.
On May 8, 1986 the house was entered in the National Register of Historic Places. The House is open Sundays in June, July and August from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Closed most holidays. Group tours are given by appointment any other day.
Ballard Nature Center consists of 210 acres (0.8 km²), including 100 acres (0.4 km²) of woodland, 15 acres of restored prairie, 10 acres of shallow water wetlands and 85 acres of agricultural land. Ernie Ballard's donation of 210 acres (0.8 km²) for the site of a nature center and the funds to construct a visitor center, show of his great generosity, concern for the environment, and his foresight for the future. He developed a non-profit 501 (C) 3 foundation, in August 1999, to oversee the development and management of the center. Construction of the log building began in October 1999 and was opened to the public in July 2000. His gift is a culmination of Ernie's interest in conservaion and helping people. He and his wife Wanda viewed the property as a "valuable legacy for future generations".
The purpose of the Ballard Nature Center is to provide high quality environmental education, and a place for the enjoyment of nature. Educational programs have been developed for schools, who come to the center on field trips. Educational exhibits on Illinois' natural resources have been designed for all ages to enjoy, and are continuing to be added. Topics of displays include, trees, birds, bats, insects, and mammals. Adult and family programs are offered throughout the year, as well as summer nature study classes for children. Prairie restoration, wetland development, and trail development projects are ongoing. Many projects at the center have been accomplished with volunteer help. The center is a wonderful resource for 4-H, scouts, schools, and environmental organizations.
Ballard Nature Center receives no government funding, and is supported largely by donations and memberships.
The 4,300-square-foot (400 m²) handicapped accessible building includes a library, office, bird viewing area, exhibit room, featuring interpretive displays on various interesting "bits of nature" relevant to the area, and a full basement with kitchen, restrooms, classroom/meeting rooms. A picnic area and pavilions are available for reservation, when they become available. The lower level is available for use by school groups, educators, organizations, and for workshops. Walking trails through prairie, woodlands, and wetlands are available, and interpretive trails are being developed.
The Altamont Living Museum is a not-for-profit organization offering many forms of entertainment. You'll find award winning performers, plays performed by our local theater troupe A.C.T. and Altamont High school students, country/bluegrass variety shows on Tuesday nights, and memorabilia exhibits on display for your enjoyment. The building is also available for special events such as receptions, special music shows and meetings. The museum has a stage complete with stage lighting, lighting booth, sound system, a sound booth and a house that seats about 120. Downstairs is a kitchen and a meeting room that is capable of holding 40 people comfortably.
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