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

Oregon Museum Association 2024 Conference

September 8, 2024 - September 10, 2025

North Bend, Oregon

Oregon Museum Association 2024 Conference

Sunday, September 8, 2024 - Wednesday, September 10, 2025

The Mill Casino

North Bend, Oregon

Hosted by: Oregon Museums Association

As we gather for the Oregon Museums Association 2024 Annual Conference in Coos Bay, the conference theme “Ebb & Flow” acknowledges the nearby coastline while providing a metaphor to reflect on the work of Oregon’s museums today

It can feel like the sands are shifting as museums face challenges and opportunities like changing patterns of visitorship, evolving technologies, revised funding strategies, and peoples’ desire for community.

The 2024 conference will explore contemporary issues facing museums, so that together we can take the helm to identify solutions and successfully steer our work forward

Whether you are an emerging professional just getting your feet wet, in the mid-career flow, or an established leader navigating the depths of museum work, we invite you to join us at The Mill Casino Hotel in Coos Bay, September 8-10, 2024.

For more information, please email connect@oregonmuseums.org.

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.

view all conferences
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