The Addison Historical Museum is located in the former 1892 home of tombstone carver William Balzer, who also was the Addison Township Clerk from 1914 until the 1950’s. The museum focuses on local history. Displays include: Native American, military, medical, Lutheran organizations, household items, toys, cameras, photographs. For 42 years, Addison Township had its office in the lower west portion of the Coach House building behind the museum. Displays include: farming, tools, Heidemann windmill replica, quilts, women’s hats and accessories. The Century House was a residence for the families of four teachers and one custodian of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran School between 1893-1981. The Addison Historical District also includes St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, school, former parsonage and teacherage buildings. A number of other historical markers are within walking distance.

The Aurora Historical Society operates three facilities. The William Tanner House Museum, located on the corner of Cedar Street and Oak Avenue, is an Italianate style home, built in 1857, and decorated with late Victorian furnishings. The Aurora Art and History Center, located at 20 East Downer, has a rotating schedule of exhibits. We are currently showing "Divided By The River, United By The Game," a celebration of East Aurora and West Aurora High School atheletics and the oldest high school sports rivalry in Illinois; and "Entertaining Aurora," which examines the long history of amuseuments and passtimes in Aurora, including the Fox River, parks, clubs, restaurants, sports, theaters and the casino. The Local History Research Archive, where the public can access thousands of documents and photographs relating to local government, businesses, institutions, people and homes, is located just West of the Tanner House, at 305 Cedar Street. The Archive is available by appointment only. Please call 630/897-9029.

Located in the old (1894) Central Fire Station in Downtown Aurora IL, the Aurora Regional Fire Museum preserves and exhibits the history of the fire service in Aurora and surrounding communities. Our collection includes seven pieces of fire apparatus, over two thousand photographs, and more than a thousand smaller peices of fire fighting equipment and memorabilia.

From a key to the Krumfuss Shoe Shop which opened in 1876, to a 2007 Bartlett High School bobble head figure, the Bartlett History Museum has more than a century of yesteryear that is brought to life through changing exhibitions and entertaining educational programing. Learn about the people, places and events that formed the foundation of the Village of Bartlett we know today. Come, "Discover Yesterday’s Bartlett" by exploring and discovering its rich heritage as told through pictures, documents, artifacts and more.

Exhibits relating to railroad history, Mary Todd Lincoln and local history are housed in an 1854 Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad Depot. Other buildings include turn-of-the-century gazebo, Burlington Caboose and 1856 bank. Located next to the Fox River Trail Bike Path and Batavia Riverwalk.

Blackberry Farm is a living history museum situated on 54 scenic acres with a lake, ponds and a meandering stream. There is so much to see and do, from watching demonstrations of pioneer life to hands-on fun. Visit the Discovery Barn, Pioneer Cabin, Wagner House, Pottery Shop, Blacksmith shop, Spinning and Weaving Cabin, One-Room School House, Victorian Huntoon House and the five museums. Admission includes unlimited rides on the train, haywagon, carousel and ponies. Park concessions are available or visitors may bring their own picnic lunch.

Constructed in 1849, the Bloomingdale Park District Museum has served as a church, school, town hall, and jail. The beautifully refurbished Museum is the village’s oldest building in operation. Located in the quaint and charming Old Town district, the Museum houses art shows year-round, including local and national exhibits, various collections and historic artifacts.

The Center for History, a Facility of the Wheaton Historic Preservation Council, is a leading nonprofit organization providing unique and captivating educational programs and exhibits to the public. The Center actively involves its participants by allowing them to experience history through hands-on activities, role-playing and participatory methods. Current exhibits include: Lincoln’s Last Journey Home - Artifacts and photographs exploring Lincoln’s funeral train. Most artifacts are from private collectors and never on display prior to this exhibition. Exhibit ends April 27, 2008. Fairways, Greens and Clubs American golf in the atmosphere of a vintage clubhouse. Disaster, Courage and Silence The capsizing of the SS Eastland in the chicago River, July 24, 1915

Visitors are invited to participate in a personal experience by glimpsing into their heritage at the Downers Grove Park District Museum. Through exhibit rooms in the gracious Victorian house and annex, they will discover a past which nostalgia has etched into our memories. It is a past which belongs to everyone.

The DuPage County Historical Museum is housed in a magnificent Romanesque style building that originally served the community as Wheaton’s first library. New museum staff members were recently introduced and are working to plan exhibits, programs, and re-establish the museum as a thriving cultural hub. Current exhibits include DuPage County History – An Overview, Walk in the Woods and Made to Measure. The Museum is also proud to host a detailed HO gauge model railroad layout that depicts the Chicago and Northwestern, the Chicago, Aurora and Elgin, and the Burlington Northern railways as they wind their way through the County. The model railroad display is always available for viewing during the Museum’s open hours. It is operated by the members of the DuPage Society of Model Engineers the 3rd and 5th Saturday of each month. Call the Museum at 630-665-4710 for details. Research library contains history of DuPage County, home history resources, heirloom identification and care, plat maps, city directories, mail order catalogs, and photographs.

Located on its original site, the 1843 Durant House Museum is Kane County’s own “Little House on the Prairie. This lovingly restored pioneer homestead functions as a "house for all seasons," with special programs throughout the year that highlight prairie living. Expert staff and costumed docents, including our Prairie Children, interpret our rich heritage and reveal the reality of 1840’s prairie life. Daily routines, pastimes, laundry, food preparation, toys, and tools are just a few of the fascinating regular features. Complete your visit with a tour of the one-room Pioneer Sholes School, located just a few steps away. Children’s educational programs, scout badge programs, and private tours off season by appointment.

The Elgin Area Historical Society Museum is housed in Old Main, an Elgin landmark building on the grounds of Elgin Academy. The Museum showcases interactive exhibits in five main areas: Settlement, Architecture, the Elgin National Watch Company, the Elgin Road Races, and the Hiawatha Pageant. The Museum also has a local history research library and a meeting room available for non-profit organizations. Contact the staff to schedule field trips and/or group tours.

Elgin Public Museum is the only natural history and anthropology museum in the Fox Valley area. The museum is located in the heart of Lord's Park, a beautiful 409 acre municipal park that features a zoo, nature trail, and three lagoons. The museum offers interactive exhibits and educational programming with nature and cultural themes for families, school groups, scouts, clubs, organizations, home schoolers, and anyone who wants to have fun while learning.

Public historical museum offering a full range of services including changing exhibits, family and school programs, adult workshops and speakers, research facilities and special events.

Visit the home of George and Nelle Fabyan and discover the fascinating story of the Fabyan’s fabulous Riverbank Estate. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Fabyan Villa was redesigned by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1907 for the Fabyans. Learn about the Fabyans’ lives from 1905 through 1939, including their gardens, zoo, island pool, Dutch windmill, museum, World War I code-breaking and scientific research. On display at the Villa are numerous historic photographs of the estate, the Fabyans’ Asian decorative arts, natural history collection, a mummy, and a marble statue from the World’s Columbian Exposition. After your tour through the museum, stroll the grounds of the estate, now a forest preserve, and view remnants from the Fabyan era. The Fabyan Japanese Garden, c. 1910, has been renovated and is open for touring on Wednesdays and Sundays, but can be viewed from the grounds at other times. Group and private tours available by appointment. Children’s educational programs available.

The First Division Museum presents the history of the 1st Infantry Division and its units from the Revolutionary War through Desert Storm. Walk through a WWI trench with the sounds of exploding shells overhead. Sit in a landing craft as soldiers storm Omaha Beach on D-Day. Go through the jungles of Vietnam under the watchful eye of a camouflaged soldier on patrol. Get up close to real tanks from WWI through Desert Storm at our extensive tank park.

The Fox River Trolley Museum’s mission is to preserve and interpret Chicago’s electric transport era that began in the 1890s and peaked before 1950. The Museum fulfills this mission by preserving, interpreting, and operating historic railway vehicles on its demonstration electric railway, over the Aurora, Elgin, and Fox Electric route in South Elgin, Illinois. Further, the museum preserves, displays and interprets maller artifacts, photos, oral histories and documents which help relate the importance of electric transport in and around the Chicago Metropolitan Area, putting them in contect with their surroundings and era.

Founded in 1979, our mission is to promote the preservation and restoration of the historic structures and sites on the former Riverbank Estate, now the Fabyan Forest Preserve in Geneva, Illinois. Working to create public awareness and education on the legacy of Colonel George and Nelle Fabyan, our group is involved with local historic preservation at the estate and with furthering of the Frank Lloyd Wright connection.

Illinois’ only historically intact 370 acre former 1840s prairie farmstead and teamster inn being restored as an 1840s living history farm museum located in the center of Kane County. Tours of the farm include the 1846 inn, the 1842 barn and the 1849 horse barn, the historic breeds of livestock and poultry and gardens in season. Special events are held throughout the year.

"Greetings From Geneva; A Trip Through History" invites visitors into a journey through Geneva’s past and present. The History Center also offers changing exhibits, award winning educational programs, archives, museum store and a public meeting room. Call or email for more information.

Built in 1852 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Graue Mill features milling, spinning and weaving demonstrations and a collection of artifacts from 1850-1890 displayed in period room settings. A reported site on the Underground Railroad, the basement of the Mill features an exhibit, Graue Mill and the Road to Freedom, that includes photographs, documents and other artifacts. Visitors can purchase our famous stone-ground corn meal and other items in our gift shop.

This 1917 foursquare home depicts the family lifestyle of the Kruse Family. The furnishings and collections include china, quilts, clothing, toys and cut glass. Chicago and North Western items reflect West Chicago’s railroad history. The garden is being maintained by the West Chicago Garden Club. Come make an afternoon of it - tour the West Chicago museums, see the lovely Kruse House and gardens, and have lunch on Main Street.

Visit the Lombard Historical Museum and step back in time to the 1870s. View four beautifully restored period rooms. Educational programs, exhibits, a Victorian decorative arts library, and research facility are also available. Schedule group tours by appointment.

Open year-round, Naper Settlement is the only outdoor history museum in Illinois accredited by the American Association of Museums. Walk the pathways of our 12-acre grounds, founded on the rich heritage of Naperville, Illinois, and watch the past come to life. Visit with costumed villagers, tour the historic buildings, listen to stories of the past, take part in fun activities and games, and enjoy family time together in an outdoor environment. Indoor exhibits and galleries are also part of the experience, as is our Museum Store for specialty shopping. Be sure to visit the 1883 Martin Mitchell Mansion, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which is open during our Summer Season and at other special times for touring. An audio tour is also available for an additional fee in the summer (it is included in winter admission). Naper Settlement is located one block south of the Riverwalk in downtown Naperville, with free parking and easy access to restaurants and shopping. Summer Season is April through October and Winter Season is November through March. Discounted rates apply during Winter Season. Check our Web site for hours, rates, event information, year-round programs and summer day camp. Please note, special event rates may vary.

This 1872 one-room school house, originally built on David Sholes’ farm west of St. Charles on Burlington Road, was moved and authentically restored in 1979. Visitors can go back in time with the school marm who will teach lessons and games of the early days. Groups or classes can re-enact a school day in this living history museum by scheduling an appointment. Special open houses occur throughout the year with costumed docents, including junior scholars, ready to share the school’s history, lessons, games, and crafts. Complete your visit with a tour of the Durant House Museum, just a short walk down the road.

Explore the 1930s through the 1950s by touring former Chicago Tribune editor and publisher Colonel Robert R. McCormick’s country home. Learn about the McCormick family’s daily life and about Robert’s impact on politics, media, First Amendment issues, industry, philanthropy and patriotism. Explore the history of Cantigny, once a working DuPage County farm and now a park with beautiful gardens, family activities, outdoor concerts and more. Museum visits by guided tour.

Our museum, the Sumner House, contains historical information and artifacts pertaining to the Roselle community. Our campus includes a restored working person home built in 1885 but replicating what the home looked like in the early 1920’s when our town was incorporated. This is the Richter House and is part of any museum tour. The museum is 102 S. Prospect at the corner of Elm and Prospect Streets.

A museum and study center devoted to the Native cultures of North, Central, and South America. For all ages: hands-on activities, displays on both culture areas and themes, reference library, educational materials for classroom use, museum store. Current exhibits include Kachina dolls, Southwest jewelry and pottery, Plains Indians culture, Native Peoples of Illinois, Mexican Native American cultures, Children of Native America, and our new exhibit, With A Little Help From Our Friends: Gifts and Loans from Local Collectors(February 15-April 24, 2008, Opening reception 2/15/09 4:30-7:30)

Visit the Sheldon Peck Homestead, an 1840s farm house exhibiting reproductions of Sheldon Peck’s artwork. Come learn about the beginnings of Babcock’s Grove (Lombard), the Peck family, their involvement in the Underground Railroad, farming, and the first home school in the area. Educational programs are also available. Schedule group tours by appointment.

The St. Charles Heritage Center operates two historic sites: The St. Charles History Museum at 215 E. Main, and the Dunham-Hunt House at 304 E. Cedar Ave. The History Museum houses the exhibit hall, Anderson Research Room, Museum Gift Shop and the Heritage Center Archives. The exhibit hall is full of photographs and artifacts from St. Charles dating back to the early 1830’s when the first permanent settlers, Evan Shelby and William Franklin, arrived. The Dunham-Hunt House, built in 1836, is the oldest brick structure in St. Charles. It represents Greek-Revival style and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was used as the Hunt family home until the 1980’s when Jane Dunham bought it for use as a museum. The Dunham-Hunt House is open to the public Sundays and Thursdays Noon - 4 p.m. from June through August. For more information please contact the Heritage Center.

An 1846 stagecoach stop and inn built by by Glen Ellyn pioneer, Moses Stacy. The museum is interpreted as a tavern inn of the 1840s in northern Illinois complete with parlor, tap room, kitchen, dining room, and sleeping quarters. There is also a smoke house and privy located on the property. The Glen Ellyn Historical Society hosts an exhibit room on the museum’s second floor. The first floor is handicap accessible and there is a video tape of the tavern’s second floor as well.

Lisle Station Museum consists of three historic Lisle structures: a C. B. and Q Depot, the Netzley-Yender Farmhouse, and the Beaubien Tavern. The museum is also home to an 1881 C. B. and Q. waycar and a 19th century barn that houses our blacksmith shop. The museum celebrates Depot Days in September, Once Upon a Christmas in December and this year we are featuring a CHicago History author series! Blacksmithing classes are offered throughout the year. Also visit our blog! http://lislemuseum.wordpress.com/

Artifacts, blueprints, photos, ads and other exhibits relate the story of the great motion picture palaces built across the United States. Numerous Chicago theaters are represented. American Theater Architecture Archives open by appointment. (Archive research fees apply)

The Villa Park Historical Museum is located in a Chicago, Aurora, and Elgin railroad station. Collection includes items from the Villa Park Ovaltine Factory, C. A. and E., and local Sears Homes. The museum is a building on the National Register.

Greek Revival Church built in 1858 used by Adam, Ivan and Malvin Albright 1930’s-50"s. Art Gallery, 1,000 piece Native American Artifacts, Hall of Warrenville Businesses and Hall of Warrenville People in History. School display and antique toys.

Housed in the 1884 Turner Town Hall, the Museum showcases Illinois’ first railroad community. Come see our permanent local history exhibit "Building Community" which examines the story of hard-working immigrant families who built our town, and the railroad that shaped our community. Come see our two new exhibits: "Building Community: Creating a Dialogue about Mexican Contributions to West Chicago through Oral Histories," is an exhibit made possible by a Save Our History grant from The History Channel. The exhibit will display oral histories of Mexican immigrants to West Chicago collected through a joint project with Community High School students who helped record the stories of Mexican Community members. "Century of Progress" will exhibit Chicago’s 1933-1934 World’s Fair through the eyes of local residents. See some of the unique souvenirs collected by local and area residents. Children will also get the chance to attend a World’s Fair first hand through our children’s area set up to replicate the experience.

Westmont’s exciting history unfolds in each room of this 1872 second empire style home built by William L. Gregg. After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, he established the Excelsior Brick Company which supplied bricks for the rebuilding of Chicago. During your visit you can step back into the Victorian era while visiting the parlor. Also, relive the 1920s and 1930s in our kitchen and dining areas. Don’t forget to experience the exquisite outdoor garden.

Hedges Station is the oldest building in Winfield and the oldest remaining depot in the state of Illinois. It was built in 1849 when the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad came through the area. The Society plan is to restore part of the building as a period depot museum to be called "Hedges Station" in honor of John Hedges, first stationmaster. Other portions will be developed as a museum focusing on the Winfield area, while the basement, which is new construction, will serve as a meeting room for the historical society. A newly constructed strap-rail track is now on-site which depicts the type of track which existed in 1849. To our knowledge, it is the only existing piece of strap-rail track in the State of Illinois and maybe throughout the entire country.