Last updated: 4/13/2021
Addison, Illinois
Street Address
135 Army Trail Road
Addison, IL 60101
Mailing Address
One Friendship Plaza
Addison, IL 60101

Hours

Saturdays, 10 am - 2 pm, year round
Wednesdays, noon - 3 pm, June - August

Admissions

Free

Museum Type(s)

Staff

Susan English
phone: 630-628-1433
Description

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.

Mission

The museum is cooperative venture of the Addison Historical Society and Village of Addison which bridges the past, present and future by procuring, preserving and presenting Village history and engaging its diverse and vibrant community.

History

The museum was founded in 1976 and originally located in the Village of Addison Administration building. In 1993, the Village acquired the 1893 Century House, and the Historical Society was tasked with its restoration. In 1999, the Balzer Home and Coach House were acquired and moved to a vacant lot next to the Century house for use as the Museum.

Artifact Collections

Local history collection of approximately 15,000 items including photographs, archives, newspapers, historic clothing, accessories, tools, decorative arts, and fine art.

Research Collections

Local history and genealogy.

Educational Programs

Guided tours; Free Public Programs for Adults and Children, rotating exhibitions.

Facilities

The museum holds presentations off-site at Village Hall or the Public Library. The museum grounds are used for historic interpretation.

Governance

Museum is a cooperative venture of the Village of Addison and the Addison Historical Society, a 501c3 not-profit organization.

Library
Access: General Public
Appointment required: Yes
Publications

Description:

Annual Report-annually
Village of Friendship (History of Addison to 1984)
Addison: The Vision Continues ( History of Addison 1985-2019)
Services
Gift Shop

Museum sells books, notecards, and ornaments at site.

Event Rental

Room in the Museum and the Century House and the museum grounds are available for use by any non-profit Addison organization registered with the State of Illinois, or any governmental body/official or intergovernmental organization, or any business currently licensed in the Village of Addison, providing no sales or profits are made or sales or services are solicited while using the facilities.

Rooms may not be used for parties such as children’s birthday parties, family parties, baby showers, wedding showers, weddings, etc. (Additional rooms are available by other agencies in Addison, such as the Addison Public Library and Addison Park District. You may contact them directly for information.)

For facility usage, a request must be made through the Village.

Group Tours

Tours of the museum are available by advanced appointment.

Gift Shop
Special Event Rental
Group Tours
ADA

The Balzer and Century Homes have a small flight of steps (5-7 risers) to the first floor. The first floor of the Coach House is accessible. Images of second floor exhibits and displays are available for viewing by visitors.

Restrooms
Exhibitions
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Museum Events
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MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Public Lands Alliance 2025 Convention and Trade Show

February 2 - 6, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

Public Lands Alliance 2025 Convention and Trade Show

Sunday, February 2 - Thursday, February 6, 2025

Westgate Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada

Hosted by: Public Lands Alliance

The Public Lands Alliance Convention and Trade Show brings together nonprofits, land management agencies and companies to learn, network and engage on public lands issues. The 2025 Convention and Trade Show will take place Sunday, February 2 - Thursday, February 6, 2025 in Las Vegas, NV

Connect with peers, explore the latest in public lands products, and return inspired with new strategies and resources for success in conservation and visitor engagement

Our annual Convention and Trade Show (PLA) is the premier gathering for leaders in the public lands sector to network, gain essential tools, and explore products that enhance the visitor experience and support conservation, preservation, and enrichment efforts.

For more information, please call 301-946-9475.

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

February 5 - 7, 2025

Milledgeville, Georgia

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

Wednesday, February 5 - Friday, February 7, 2025

Ina Dillard Russell Library Georgia College & State University

Milledgeville, Georgia

Hosted by: Georgia Association of Museums

The Whole Story Is The Meanin

“For the fiction writer himself the whole story is the meaning, because it is an experience, not an abstraction.”― Flannery O'Connor, Mystery and Manners: Occasional Pros

Join us in Milledgeville, Georgia, for the annual Georgia Association of Museums conference as we explore the profound wisdom of Milledgeville author Flannery O'Connor’s words. In a world where narratives intersect and perspectives diverge, this theme invites proposals that delve into the essence of storytelling within museums and cultural institutions. Our work in the museum field requires us to look at stories from as many angles and perspectives as possible so that we might do our best to tell the “whole story.

Through thought-provoking discussions, interactive workshops, and engaging presentations, we will uncover the layers of meaning embedded within every artifact, exhibition, and historical account. Just as O’Connor masterfully crafted narratives that resonate with universal truths, museums hold the power to illuminate the whole story behind many objects, artworks, and cultural phenomena

We will examine how museums can embrace inclusivity, diversity, and authenticity in their storytelling practices. By acknowledging multiple perspectives and amplifying marginalized voices, we can enrich our understanding of the past and present, fostering empathy and connection within our communities.

Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

February 17 - 19, 2025

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

Monday, February 17 - Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Hosted by: Small Museum Association

The annual SMA conference attracts more than 300 museum professionals, board members, and volunteers from a wide variety of small museums. They attend sessions on topics ranging from collections and education to staffing and board issues.

We offer a large Museum Resource Hall and plenty of informal networking opportunities for you to talk with (and get ideas from!) other small museum professionals and volunteers

Theme for 2025: Make It Happen!!!

Is there an exhibit, program, or fundraiser that you've been talking about doing for years? Do you feel stuck because of procrastination, lack of board support, or insufficient funds? It's time to take action

At SMA 2025, small museum professionals will share their tips and tricks of how they made it happen!

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

February 18 - 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

Tuesday, February 18 - Saturday, February 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

Hosted by: California Association of Museums

CAM is hard at work planning for the 2025 conference, set to take place from February 18–22, 2025 in San Francisco. We look forward to highlighting best practices and innovative ideas from California's museum community

The California Association of Museums is excited to continue offering in-person programming for 2025. We will not be requiring proof of COVID vaccination/s, but highly encourage vaccination and boosters. For the health and safety of our colleagues, masks are also encouraged (but not required). Capacity and spaces will be thoughtfully considered in the planning of this event.

For more information, please email programs@calmuseums.org.

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

March 11 - 14, 2025

Knoxville, Tennessee

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

Tuesday, March 11 - Friday, March 14, 2025

Crowne Plaza hotel in Knoxville, TN

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hosted by: Tennessee Association of Museums

Tennessee museums are full of hope. But how are they turning hope into reality

With the Semiquincentennial quickly approaching in 2026, the state's museum community if approaching a turning point, and is now a great time to take stock and develop a vision for the future

The Tennessee Association of Museums' 64th Annual Conference in Knoxville will challenge the state's museums to think ahead and share their hopes, the best practices and strategies for turning those hoes into realities, and the rewards that come from aspirational thinking

The 2025 TAM Annual Conference will take place at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Knoxville, TN.

For more information, please call 615-495-3354 or email hawkins@aaslh.org.

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