Elmhurst History Museum

09/02/2026

Relive the magic of the '85 Bears this fall with Dan Hampton, Chicago Bears Alumni & Pro Football Hall of Famer, right here in Elmhurst! Hampton will share stories from his legendary career with the Chicago Bears, the unforgettable 1985 Super Bowl season, and the dedication it takes to “Dare to Be a Champion.” 🐻⬇

✨Purchase VIP tickets to enjoy an exclusive meet-and-greet opportunity with Dan Hampton after the talk, including time for photographs or autographs!

📆 Friday, October 23
🕟 6 - 8:30 p.m.
🎟 Lecture Only: $45, VIP (includes lecture): $60
📍 Elmhurst University, Frick Center, Founders Hall; 190 S. Prospect Avenue

Join the Elmhurst History Museum for a special evening with Dan Hampton—former Chicago Bear, five-time All-Pro, four-time Pro Bowl selection, and Pro Football Hall of Famer. Hampton will share stories from his legendary career with the Chicago Bears, the unforgettable 1985 Super Bowl season, and t...

09/01/2026

Quarry Tour 2026 is officially SOLD OUT!

Please visit Eventbrite if you would like to join the waitlist. You will be notified via email if any tickets become available.

Tickets will go on sale online only September 1 at 9 a.m. Take a behind the scenes tour of the Elmhurst Quarry Flood Control Facility, a site generally closed to the public. Visit various areas, including private quarry platforms, and see how DuPage County Stormwater Management operates the facility...

08/31/2026

2026 Quarry Tour tickets go on sale on Tuesday, September 1st, at 9am! Registration is online only and can be accessed through our website and Eventbrite with a credit card is required for payment. There is no in-person or phone registration option available, and the museum is not responsible for sales of tickets conducted by a third party. Tickets will likely sell out in minutes!

This year's Quarry Tour, held jointly with DuPage County Stormwater Management, will take place on Saturday, October 3rd, with tours departing from the museum between 9:00 am and 2:30 pm. There is a maximum of 6 (six) tickets per order, and the minimum age requirement is 10 years of age, no exceptions. Participants must be prepared to traverse uneven terrain and board and exit a school bus several times during their experience. For other questions, please contact the museum at 630-833-1457. See the link below for registration portal.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1998386723485?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/28/2026

NOW OPEN | "Bear Down: Football in the Windy City"

🏈Explore 140 years of Chicagoland Football History with our new exhibit, on display through January 24, 2027!

📍 Elmhurst History Museum (1st Floor Gallery)
🎟 $5 Suggested Donation

Discover championship triumphs, fierce rivalries, unforgettable moments, and the enduring legacy left on sports history and pop culture by legendary teams, from the storied Cardinals to the Monsters of the Midway – the Chicago Bears. You will encounter a diverse collection of artifacts, uniforms, photographs, and game footage that captures the spirit and legacy of windy city football. Interactive touchscreen experiences and family-friendly programming further immerse guests in the story, creating engaging opportunities for fans of all ages to connect with the city’s storied football past and vibrant present.

Get an inside look at the exhibit below from CBS Chicago! 👇

Thank you to our exhibit sponsors: Feze Roofing, Community Bank of Elmhurst, Rotary Club of Elmhurst, Michael V. LoCicero, Attorney at Law, Storino, Ramello, & Durkin, Attorneys at Law, and the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation.

While Chicago Bears fans are focused on the present and the future, a museum in Elmhurst is inviting fans to look at the past.

08/26/2026

Join us for a full weekend of Bears, Blues, and Baseball 🐻🎶⚾ in Elmhurst to celebrate our new exhibit, “Bear Down: Football in the Windy City”!

🗓️ Friday, August 28
🕐1 PM | 🏈 Bear Down: Football in the Windy City Opens: Explore our latest original exhibit, journeying through the past 140 years of Chicagoland football history! Discover championship triumphs, fierce rivalries, unforgettable moments, and the enduring legacy left on sports history and pop culture by legendary local teams, from the storied Cardinals to the Monsters of the Midway – the Chicago Bears.
🕖 7 PM | 🎷 The Blooze Brothers Concert: Enjoy a beautiful summer night outdoors at the museum with one of Chicagoland’s most in-demand show bands, the Blooze Brothers!

🗓️ Sunday, August 30
🕑 2 PM | 🏆Vintage Baseball Game: Cheer on your favorite Elmhurst team as Elmhurst University staff and alumni and City of Elmhurst elected officials, commissioners and staff battle for victory in this year’s “Town vs. Gown” old-fashioned baseball game, played by the wildly different rules of 1858. 📍Elmhurst University Mall; 190 S. Prospect Ave.

Learn more on our website 👇

Bear Down: Football in the Windy City August 28, 2026 - January 24, 2027 For more than 140 years, Chicago football has been deeply woven into the fabric of our sports culture. From neighborhood prairie fields to iconic venues such as Soldier Field, Comiskey Park, and university stadiums across the r...

08/25/2026

Did you know the Elmhurst History Museum hosts a range of programs for our local scouts? From learning American folk stories and songs, or cracking Morse code clues, to visiting our circa 1850s Churchville One-Room Schoolhouse, our Education Department offers a unique program for all different Girl Scout and Cub Scout levels!

Learn more and book a program for your group this fall on our website ⬇️

Elmhurst History Museum staff leads Girl and Cub Scout programming for your scouting needs. Please note: while many of the programs meet badge requirements, the museum does not supply badges. Fun Patches are available for $2. Badge programs are 90 minutes in length and $5/Scout (no charge for parti...

08/21/2026

Check out our Fall Programs & Events in honor of our upcoming "Bear Down: Football in the Windy City" exhibit! 🐻⬇

🏟️ Go on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Chicago Bears' original home field, Wrigley Field, Sept. 21
🏆 Meet former Chicago Bear, five-time All-Pro, four-time Pro Bowl selection, and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Dan Hampton at Elmhurst University Oct. 23
🏈 Join EHM Curator Sarah Cox for a Gallery Tour Nov. 8 or Jan. 17
🔍 Dive deeper into Chicagoland football history with numerous lectures at the museum & more!

Learn more and register for events 👇

The Elmhurst History Museum offers a wide array of interesting programs and special events for patrons of all ages throughout the year. Use our online Calendar of Events below to view this exciting menu of offerings. Please note that registration is required for some programs, and that some of our ...

08/20/2026

Happy Throwback Thursday! Today's photograph features the York Community High School football team in 1920, which was the same year that YCHS was built. EHM has football on the mind as we gear up for our new exhibition, "Bear Down: Football in the Windy City," which focuses not only on the Bears but also historical teams such as the Chicago Cardinals, the Chicago Tigers, and our city's own Elmhurst Travelers. The new show opens on Friday, August 28th!

08/18/2026

Batter up! ⚾ Join Elmhurst University staff and alumni and City of Elmhurst elected officials, commissioners and staff as they battle for victory in this year’s “Town vs. Gown” old-fashioned baseball game, played by the wildly different rules of 1858!

📆 Sunday, August 30
🕐 2 p.m.
📍 Elmhurst University Mall; 190 S. Prospect Ave. (behind the Frick Center)
🎟 FREE!
📣 Bring a lawn chair or blanket and get ready to cheer, jeer, and enjoy an afternoon of old-school family fun. Huzzah!

Join the Elmhurst University staff and alumni and City of Elmhurst elected officials, commissioners and staff as they battle for victory in this year’s “Town vs. Gown” old-fashioned baseball game, played by the wildly different rules of 1858. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and get ready to chee...

08/14/2026

🚨Mark your calendars for the opening of our next original exhibition, "Bear Down: Football in the Windy City"! 🏈🏆

For more than 140 years, Chicago football has been deeply woven into the fabric of our sports culture. From neighborhood prairie fields to iconic venues such as Soldier Field, Comiskey Park, and university stadiums across the region, football has left an enduring mark on the city and its communities. Chicagoland has been home to legendary teams, coaches, and players who helped shape the sport, from the storied Cardinals to the Monsters of the Midway – the Chicago Bears. Generations of fans have followed these teams through victories and defeats, witnessing firsthand the evolution of the sport and the individuals who defined it, making Chicago one of football’s most influential cities. Numerous short-lived professional and semi-professional clubs also competed throughout the Midwest and the league, adding to the area's football legacy. These historic teams also played a pivotal role in the development of the National Football League, thanks in large part to local sports icon George Halas.

"Bear Down: Football in the Windy City" will take visitors on an unforgettable journey through the history of football in Chicagoland. Guests will discover championship triumphs, fierce rivalries, unforgettable moments, and the enduring legacy left on sports history and pop culture by these legendary teams. Visitors will encounter a diverse collection of artifacts, uniforms, photographs, and game footage that captures the spirit and legacy of windy city football. Interactive touchscreen experiences and family-friendly programming further immerse guests in the story, creating engaging opportunities for fans of all ages to connect with the city’s storied football past and vibrant present.

📆 August 28, 2026 - January 24, 2027
📍 Elmhurst History Museum (1st Floor Gallery), 120 E. Park Ave.
🎟 FREE

Thank you to our exhibit sponsors: Feze Roofing, Community Bank of Elmhurst, Rotary Club of Elmhurst, Michael V. LoCicero, Attorney at Law, Storino, Ramello, & Durkin, Attorneys at Law, and the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation.