Local Treasures
By Julie Duffin
March 2025 View more Featured
A field guide to area history museums
When it comes to local history, Naper Settlement springs to mind. But did you know most cities in our area also have their own history museums? These local gems feature educational programs, exhibits, guided tours, research facilities, and special events for all ages. They even have gift shops featuring unique memorabilia. Most are free to visit or only charge a nominal fee. Programs and events can be an additional charge, and donations are always appreciated.
Whether you’re a hometown historian or simply want to learn more about your community, these museums are definitely worth exploring.
AURORA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
THE DAVID L. PIERCE ART & HISTORY CENTER
20 E. Downer Place
THE TANNER HOUSE MUSEUM
304 Oak Ave.
aurorahistory.org
About: The Aurora Historical Society operates two sites: the Tanner House Museum, an 1857 Italianate-style house that was built by local hardware merchant William Tanner on Aurora’s near west side; and the David L. Pierce Art & History Center, a three-story building in downtown Aurora that houses the exhibition galleries of both the Historical Society and the Public Art Commission.
Noteworthy: In continuous operation since 1906, the Aurora Historical Society is one of the oldest such institutions in the Chicago area.
Admission: Free
Hours: Pierce Center: noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays; 6 to 9 p.m. during Aurora’s First Fridays. Tanner House: 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays from June through September
Special Events: Independence Day Picnic and Ringing of the Bells, Haunted History, Veterans Day Ceremony, Spirits of Tanner House, Tanner House Holidays
DOWNERS GROVE MUSEUM
831 Maple Ave.
dgparks.org/downers-grove-museum
dghistory.org
About: Located in Wandschneider Park, the museum features exhibits in the 1846 Israel Blodgett pioneer house (one of the oldest houses in Downers Grove) and the 1892 Victorian-style Charles Blodgett house. Also onsite is the Montrew Dunham History Center (a reproduction of a former carriage house) and the city’s 1920 white pumper fire truck.
Noteworthy: In 2023, the Israel Blodgett House was added to the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom as one of the documented stops on the Underground Railroad.
Admission: Free
Hours: noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month
Special Events: Sears and Historic House Tours, Country in the Park, Celebrating Veterans Day, Brunch with a Vet, Mother’s Day Par-Tea, Blodgett House BOO Fest, Specters and Spirits, History on Tap pub crawl, Living Cemetery, Merry & Bright: A Victorian Christmas
BATAVIA DEPOT MUSEUM
155 Houston St.
bataviaparks.org/batavia-depot-museum
bataviahistoricalsociety.org
About: Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the museum is located in a restored Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad station, which was built in 1854 and recognized in 1979 for its uniqueness by the National Register of Historic Places. There are two floors of exhibits on local history to explore, as well as a 1907 caboose.
Noteworthy: After she was legally declared insane, Mary Todd Lincoln was sent to Bellevue Place in Batavia. Visitors can learn more about the sanitarium and see the bed she slept in while being treated.
Admission: Free
Hours: March through mid-December: 2 to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Mid-December through February by appointment only
Special Events: Batavia Museum Celebrates 50 Years, National Windmill Day at the Museum, open-air trolley history tours, cemetery walks, Day of Play, Wayback Wheels Car Show & Block Party, History Garden
ELMHURST HISTORY MUSEUM
GLOS MANSION
120 E. Park Ave.
CHURCHVILLE SCHOOLHOUSE
3N784 Church Road, Bensenville
elmhursthistory.org
About: The Elmhurst History Museum operates two sites: the Glos Mansion in downtown Elmhurst, a circa 1892 Romanesque-style historical landmark built by the first village president, Henry Glos, and his wife, Lucy; and the Churchville Schoolhouse, circa 1850, located on the northern boundary of Elmhurst.
Noteworthy: The schoolhouse is one of the few remaining one-room schoolhouses in Illinois still located on its original site.
Admission: Free
Hours: Glos Mansion: 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays, Tuesdays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Schoolhouse program opportunities available by request.
Special Events: Craft Beer Fest, “Town vs. Gown” Vintage Baseball Game, Museum Explorers summer camp, Victorian Valentine’s Workshop, Hometown Holiday Family Fun Day, Elmhurst Quarry Tour, Museum Maker Monday, Explore Elmhurst Express Trolley, immersive historical schoolhouse experiences
GENEVA HISTORY MUSEUM
113 S. Third St.
genevahistorymuseum.org
About: Located downtown, in the heart of Geneva’s historic district, this two-story museum features two exhibition galleries including a 3,000-square-foot main gallery telling “Geneva’s Story.” This permanent exhibit includes a story booth where visitors can share their own Geneva memories. Unlike many local museums, it is an independent nonprofit organization, not affiliated with the city or park district.
Noteworthy: In 2022, the Geneva History Museum became the first in Kane County to achieve national accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums and is one of only 34 museums accredited in Illinois.
Admission: $5/adult; $2/child, student, senior. Free Tuesdays
Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays
Special Events: 2nd Tuesdays at Two, Historic House Tours, Swedish Days Trolley Tours, Cemetery and Ghost Walks, Giving Trees Christmas Display supporting local nonprofits
LITTLE WHITE SCHOOL MUSEUM
72 Polk St., Oswego
littlewhiteschoolmuseum.org
About: The Little White School Museum was built on its present site in 1850 by the Oswego Methodist-Episcopal congregation. After the dissolution of the church, the building stood empty for two years before becoming classroom space for the Oswego School District from 1915 to 1964. In 1983 the Oswegoland Heritage Association restored the building and opened it as a community museum. The museum is the oldest public building in Oswego Township and one of the oldest still in use for public purposes in Kendall County.
Noteworthy: Originally called “The Little School,” the building became known as “Little White School” when it needed to be differentiated from a neighboring red-brick school. This year marks the building’s 175th anniversary.
Admission: Free
Hours: 2 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; 4 to 9 p.m. Mondays
Special Events: The Little White School Museum’s 175th birthday, Kids’ Stuffy and Me events, PrairieFest Quilt Show, meditation and yoga, History Happy Hour, open mic night, history tours, cemetery walks, Remembering Our Veterans, Oswego Christmas Walk
THE MUSEUMS AT LISLE STATION PARK
921 School St.
museumsatlislestation.org
About: Located in a former train depot, the museum was established in 1978 to provide a home for the community’s historic train depot. The campus soon grew to include the mid-1800s Netzle-Yender farmhouse, the 1830s Beaubien Tavern, an 1881 CB&Q Waycar, and a 1900s barn/blacksmith shop.
Noteworthy: Beaubien’s Tavern is one of the oldest timber-frame structures still standing in DuPage County. The tavern itself was unique in that it served as a gathering place for new residents of Lisle, the Potawatomi people, as well as people passing through the area.
Admission: Free. Suggested donation: $5/adult; $2/children and seniors
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Tours available by appointment only.
Special Events: Lisle Depot Days, Tavern Nights, blacksmith classes, Veterans Day Observance Ceremony, Fourth of July Ice Cream Social, Once Upon a Christmas
LOMBARD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
VICTORIAN COTTAGE MUSEUM & CARRIAGE HOUSE
23 West Maple St.
SHELDON PECK HOMESTEAD
355 E. Parkside Ave.
lombardhistory.org
About: The Lombard Historical Society operates three historic sites: the Victorian Cottage Museum, where visitors can experience life as it was in Lombard during the Victorian Era; the Carriage House, home to the society’s core exhibit on Lombard’s history, temporary exhibits and educational programs; and the Sheldon Peck Homestead, the former residence of Sheldon Peck, a noted early American folk artist and abolitionist.
Noteworthy: The Sheldon Peck Homestead is one of the oldest structures in Lombard and is a National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Site. Peck was a strong abolitionist, and his home served as a safe house for freedom-seekers.
Admission: Free
Hours: Carriage House & Gift Shop: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Sheldon Peck Homestead: noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Closed December and January. The Victorian Cottage Museum holds tours at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Special Events: Lilacia Park Heritage Tours; Lombard Food Truck Social; Art @ the Peck; Jingle Bell Jubilee; Music on Maple Street; Candlelight Cemetery Tour; Yoga; Victorian Garden Party; Victorian Cottage Christmas Tours
ST. CHARLES HISTORY MUSEUM
215 E. Main St.
stcmuseum.org
About: Located in downtown St. Charles, the museum is housed in the former McCornack Oil Company headquarters. After renovations, the museum opened to the public in this location in May 2001. Prior to that, it was located in the St. Charles Municipal Building. Established in 1933, the museum features rotating temporary exhibits and a permanent display on the city’s history titled The Makings of St. Charles.
Noteworthy: In addition to being the McCornack corporate headquarters, the building also served as a Texaco gas station from 1928 to 1990.
Admission: $3/adult; $1/kids ages 3 to 12
Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays
Special Events: Paddle-wheel riverboat cruises, Grave Reminders cemetery walk, History Rocks at the Arcada Theatre, Jazz Weekend, Art Fair at the Museum, Junior Historians online program
Photos: Aurora Historical Society; Downers Grove Museum; Batavia Depot Museum; Aurora Historical Society and Lombard Historical Society; Elmhurst History Museum; Geneva History Museum; Little White School Museum; Museums at Lisle Station Park; Lombard Historical Society; St. Charles History Museum
