Saint Charles, Illinois

Historic House

Addison, Illinois

History, Historic House

Located within the Historic District of Addison, the Addison Historical Museum includes the 1892 Balzer House which features displays on local history, the 1832 Coach House which presents dioramas and exhibits on Addison's farming heritage and the 1893 Century House, once the home of Lutheran school teachers and their families, which is now a restored period home.

Alton, Illinois

Art, History, Historic House

Visitors to the Museum may park on the SIU Campus parking lot, on Seminary Road, behind the Museum. The Museum has public facilities.

Barrington, Illinois

Children's, History, Historic House, Library, Specialized

The Applebee House: Built by Gilbert A. Applebee in 1889 on the site of an earlier home then burned in 1888. The elaborate porch and conservatory were restored in 1988. The first floor has been restored as a complete turn-of-the-century living quarters museum.

Blandinsville, Illinois

Historic House

Bement, Illinois

Historic House

Joliet, Illinois

Art, Historic House

Calmer House Gallery is established within Joliet's East Side National Register Historic District in a late 19th century structure where contemporary artistic visions can be seen in a traditional aesthetic setting. Our goal is to provide a venue for both established and emerging members of the photographic arts community. Four directors of the artist-run cooperative each present one show a year; visiting fine art photographers are selected by the board from recommendations by the gallery director.

Chicago, Illinois

History, Historic House, Historical Society

Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright are major figures in American architecture. Sullivan, Wright's architectural mentor, hired the younger man in 1887 to assist with the design of the Auditorium Building (1887-1889) in Chicago. As a junior draftsman, Wright also assisted with residential commissions such as the James Charnley House (1891-1892). The Charnley House, which has long been recognized internationally as a pivotal work of modern architecture, stands as evidence of the extraordinary power of Sullivan and Wright's creativity in collaboration.

Chicago, Illinois

Art, Culture, General, History, Historic House

Built in 1836 for Henry B. Clarke, the Clarke House Museum is Chicago’s oldest house. The house shows what life was like for a middle-class family in Chicago during the city’s formative years before the Civil War. Its fascinating history began at a time when family members could see the campfires of Native Americans in the distance.

Vernon Hills, Illinois

Botanical Garden, Historic House

Park Forest, Illinois

Culture, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Library

The 1950s Park Forest House Museum commemorates the pioneers of Park Forest--the residents who moved here during the first five years. Representing an original townhome, one of 3010 built by American Community Builders between October 1947 and October 1949, rooms are furnished as they might have been from 1948-1953. Park Forest was the first fully-planned, post-World War II suburb, called "America's Original GI Town," studied around the world. Now with convenient parking in front of the former school building it is housed in. The collection is now accessible--all on one floor, with a handicap accessible bathroom down the hall.

Illinois, Illinois

Art, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Library, Military, University

Through the exhibits, we share with you our past and present so that you too may discover the people, places and events that influenced our ancestors and continue to shape our destiny.

Naperville, Illinois

Anthropology, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Library, Specialized

Batavia, Illinois

Culture, History, Historic House, Historical Society

Local history exhibits housed in an 1854 C. B. & Q. Railroad Depot. Permanent exhibits include railroad history, manufacture of windmills and a brief stay by Mary Todd Lincoln at Bellevue Place.

Springfield, Illinois

Historic House

Moline, Illinois

General, History, Historic House

Welcome to Butterworth Center & Deere-Wiman House. These homes, which once belonged to John Deere family descendants and are now operated by the William Butterworth Memorial Trust, are located in the historic Overlook District of Moline, Illinois. They provide sites for quality educational and cultural events, home and garden tours, and meeting space for not-for-profit organizations.

Wheaton, Illinois

Arboretum, Art, Botanical Garden, Children's, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Library, Military

Located in Wheaton, Ill., this sprawling, 500-acre park is where families wander through nature, get lost in history, play golf at an award-winning course, attend a big band concert, tag monarch butterflies, make a snow globe, take classes, introduce children to the age-old custom of afternoon tea, attend a wide variety of special programs and events --in short, spend quality time together.

In addition to vast formal gardens and picnic and camping grounds, Cantigny offers two history-rich museums: the Robert R. McCormick Museum and the Cantigny First Division Museum, fascinating for children and researchers alike.

Taylorville, Illinois

Culture, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Library, Military, Specialized

Come tour Christian County’s first courthouse where Abraham Lincoln walked and where he argued cases with Stephen A. Douglas, walk through the Woodall Building which includes the jail and showcases military memorabilia including uniforms, weapons, a Civil War diary and other artifacts. Tour the Log House built in the 1830’s, the Bee Castle which is thought to be the only one of its kind in the state of Illinois, the Buckeye School which served as a schoolhouse from 1866-1948, the Depot which was originally located in Buckhart Towhship and the Morrison House. Each building is full of interesting artifacts from around Christian County.

Rock Island, Illinois

Historic House

Springfield, Illinois

Culture, History, Historic House, Historical Society

The Dana-Thomas House re-opened on Thursday, April 23, 2009.
"In 1902, Frank Lloyd Wright was commissioned to undertake the design and construction of a massive renovation of the Lawrence family home in Springfield, Illinois. The home was to be more than a mere residence -- it was to be a showcase. Upon its completion in 1904, the new edifice completely engulfed the original home. It immediately became a symbol of artistic and architectural excellence. It now stands as the finest example of the creativity and uniqueness characteristic of the Prairie School of Architecture." From Governor James R. Thompson's Executive Order August 23, 1983.