Berwyn Historical Society

10/10/2026

Thank you to the Oliver family for allowing us to show their beautiful home during our Bungalows and More housewalk last month.

Their large Mediterranean Revival home has played an important role in Berwyn's history. It was built in 1921 as the residence of the Czechoslovakian Consul, and was designed to serve as both a consulate and home. It might be surprising that the consulate would not be located in Chicago, but Berwyn's large Czechoslovakian population made it a good choice for this distinction.

There's evidence of the home's former life in the design. When you walk into the grand front door, you find yourself in an unusually large open living room, perfect for receptions. The formal dining room is also oversized.

There is a rather grand second entrance to the home, specifically designed to receive consulate business. It leads to a staircase that would bring the visitors to the offices on the second floor.

The Oliver family are fairly new owners of the house, snd they have enjoyed researching it's history, as they slowly go about restoring it to its original condition.

10/08/2026

Berwyn is so completely identified in the public's mind with the bungalow, that many people are surprised to learn that South Berwyn is much older and has many 19th century Victorian and Queen Anne style homes. For this reason, we were especially happy to include Michelle and Chuck Sander's Victorian home on our Bungalows and More housewalk this year.

Their home was built in 1889, and is located a short distance from the historic Berwyn train station, on a block with other 19th century homes. It was built originaly by an executive of the Chicago Great Western Railroad Company.

In the 137 years since it was built, many families have called it home. During the Great Depression, the house actually took in boarders, as many of the big old homes in this area did. Understandably, it has gone through structural changes, as well.

Yet, when Michelle and Chuck bought the home, they were pleased to find many original details. So they decided to enhance the Victorian character of the home with antiques furnishings and sensitive updating where needed. The result is a spacious home with a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Thank you, Michelle and Chuck, for allowing us to feature your beautiful home.

10/06/2026

10/05/2026

Thank you, Kate Sanderson, for allowing the Bungalows and More housewalk to include your bungalow home.

Kate and her husband have preserved all of the original features that they found in their home when they bought it, while adding contemporary furnishings and flair.

As a co-owners of Just Wallpaper in neighboring Brookfield, the house has given Kate the perfect opportunity to display her passion for fine wall coverings. Virtually every room, and some ceilings, have been covered in exquisite patterns, carefully chosen so that they flow into each other harmoniously. The result is creative and highly personal.

If you'd like to see more details, make sure you scroll through the attached comments section on the page.

10/03/2026

Last weekend, Michelle and Chuck Sanders opened their 19th century Victorian home for our Bungalows and More housewalk.

Berwyn is so completely identified in the public's mind with the bungalow, that many people are surprised to learn that South Berwyn is much older and has numerous examples of Victorian and Queen Anne style homes.

Commonly larger homes, frequently covered in wood clapboard siding. They exude old fashioned charm.

Michelle and Chuck have collected period furnishings to give there a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

10/01/2026

Our museum will be open this Saturday, October 3rd from 10 to 2:00. FREE!

1401 Grove Avenue in Berwyn.

09/30/2026

For everyone that missed our Bungalows and More housewalk this last weekend, we will be posting a photo album from each of the five homes over the next few days. Enjoy.

Thank you, Beverly Weable and Trent Weable, for opening your charming house to us.

For the last 20 plus years, Beverly and Trent have been upgrading their 1918 Bungalow by enhancing it with salvaged stained glass and woodwork from other Berwyn bungalows that were ripping it out. And that result is a home that is both traditional and original. It also is a home that provides perfect backdrop for the owners collection of Prairie style furnishings.

09/29/2026

THANK YOU! To our tour supporters, volunteers, and homeowners who made the tour so special. After years of not having the tour, we brought it back in 2026, TOGETHER! Thank you to our sponsors and local officials for your support. We can't wait to have everyone back NEXT YEAR!