Stephenson County Historical Society

10/20/2026

Long before costumes, candy and trick-or-treating, people were marking this time of year in very different ways.

Halloween has roots stretching back centuries, including the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the transition from summer into the darker half of the year. Traditions changed over generations as different cultures and religious observances influenced the holiday.

By the time Halloween became widely celebrated in America, it had evolved into something much closer to the holiday we recognize today.

We’ll be sharing a little more Halloween history this week as we count down to Spirits of Yesteryear! 👻

10/20/2026

🎟️ A quick ticket note for Spirits of Yesteryear!

We’ve had a few questions, so here’s what you need to know:

👻 Tickets are available at the door only.
Adults: $10
Kids 10 & under: $5

💵 Cash is preferred. Cards will be accepted with a small processing fee.

🛍️ Our gift shop will also be open for shopping during the event! The same payment options apply, with cash preferred and a processing fee for cards.

No need to purchase tickets ahead of time. Just show up and enjoy the evening!

📅 Saturday, October 24 | 6–9 PM
🕯️ Last admission at 8 PM
📍 1440 S. Carroll Ave., Freeport

10/19/2026

This Saturday, the museum looks a little different after dark.

Explore our historic buildings and grounds while discovering Victorian-era life, traditions, local stories and a few things that might be harder to explain. 👀

We’ve been busy behind the scenes getting everything ready, and we can’t wait to welcome you.

Spirits of Yesteryear
📅 Saturday, October 24
🕯️ 6–9 PM | Last admission at 8 PM
🎟️ $10
📍 1440 S. Carroll Ave., Freeport

10/19/2026

Need a little something spooky to get you ready for Spirits of Yesteryear?

Our special guest Terri Reid has a brand-new episode of Voices from the Attic, and this one involves a dark and stormy night, a mysterious sound coming from an empty child’s room and a porcelain doll calling out, “Mama, Mama, Mama.” 😳

Give the newest episode a listen, and while you’re there, subscribe to Voices from the Attic for more stories from Terri and Andrew.

Then come meet Terri and Andrew in person at Spirits of Yesteryear on October 24!

🎧 Listen to the newest episode on YouTube⁠
 https://youtu.be/qTCwbNr7gGE?is=Nt_XgA7Da-B0PlSg

History and mystery make a pretty good combination around here. 👻

Some dolls are supposed to sit quietly on a shelf. Others, accordin...

10/18/2026

We’re open Sunday from 12–4 PM for tours and gift shop shopping.

Come explore the museum, take a walk around our historic grounds, and discover a little more about Stephenson County’s past.

📍 1440 S. Carroll Ave., Freeport
⏰ Sunday | 12–4 PM
🎟️ Full adult tours | $8
Last tour begins at 3 PM.

We’d love to see you!

10/09/2026

The Stephenson County Historical Society would like to take a moment to remember Dr. Ed Finch, former director of our historical society and a longtime local historian, whose passing was announced on September 28, 2026.

Dr. Finch dedicated much of his life to education, historical research, and sharing the stories of our community. His contributions to preserving and promoting local history will not be forgotten.

Although services have already been held, we would still like to extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife of 48 years, Catherine, and to his entire family, friends, and all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Thank you, Dr. Finch, for your dedication to keeping our community’s history alive. Your legacy will live on through the stories you helped preserve. ❤️

10/09/2026

Check out what our friends at the McConnell Area Historical Society have been up to! 👀🏛️

They have some great new merchandise available, with proceeds helping support their historical society and the work they do to preserve local history.

We love supporting our fellow historical societies throughout Stephenson County! ❤️

👇 We’ll put a link to their original post in the comments so you can check out all the details!

10/06/2026

Terri Reid and her son Andrew recently shared an episode of their podcast, Voices from the Attic, all about the hauntings and unexplained experiences of the Taylor Home.

🎧 Give the episode a listen and be sure to hit subscribe!

Even better, Terri and Andrew will BOTH be joining us at Spirits of Yesteryear on October 24! 👻🕯️

Consider this your homework before visiting the museum after dark. 😉

📅 Saturday, October 24 | 6–9 PM
🎟️ $10 admission | Last admission at 8 PM

What if a house becomes haunted not because something terrible happ...

10/06/2026

In 2024, we had the pleasure of welcoming a Rolls-Royce club to the museum for a group tour, and we love seeing the different clubs, organizations, and groups that make SCHS part of their plans!

We’re now booking 2027 group tours and space use for clubs and organizations, especially larger groups of 50 or more.

Still hoping to visit in 2026? There’s time! We may be able to accommodate smaller groups of 30 or fewer yet this year.

Whether you’re planning a club outing, organization gathering, reunion, or simply bringing together a group of people who love history, we’d love to help you plan your visit.

📩 Contact us for availability and more information.

📸 Throwback to this memorable group visit from 2024!