John and Elizabeth Browning Home and Gun Shop — Attraction in Nauvoo

Historic home of two of America's most famous gunsmiths. See their part of their house, the shop, and the smithy. See many examples of the amazing weapons they invented, from simple but beautifully crafted early pieces, to the repeating rifle, to the machine gun. Learn about how guns were fabricated when they were built by hand, and see a demonstration of the tools and process. Learn about the lives of the men who invented repeating firearms and their families.

Tours are free, and the place is open year round. Different tour guides do independent research, so it's fun to take the tour multiple times from different people.

This site has been equipped with air conditioning. Not as authentic, but easier on the tour guides. 😀. No restroom facilities on site, but public bathrooms are...

This attraction is located in the beautifully maintained and historical area of nauvoo Illinois. Well-trained docents will lead you through the exhibit explaining the significance of Browning and his invention of something like a hundred patented innovations to firearms of that time period. It is fascinating to see how they lived and worked in that time. Besides this home factory, the area features several other restored homes and at least three different kinds of oxen cart rides, carriage rides and pioneer wagon rides to give you the feel of what life may have been like for our...

In August 2025, we visited the John and Elizabeth Browning Home and Gun Shop in Nauvoo, Illinois. The John Browning home is part of the LDS Church's Nauvoo Historical Sites, and there are no admission fees for any of these sites. John Browning was a reputable gunsmith and several of his gun inventions are displayed. The backyard has an amazing garden and log cabin, and there is a sheep farm adjacent to the Browning Gun Shop. It is interesting to see how notable historical figures lived and to better understand their lives. The Nauvoo Historical Sites are amazing to see...