Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum

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Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum The Grayslake Heritage Center & Museum tells the history of Grayslake and its connection to the world

The Grayslake Heritage Center & Museum represents years of planning and cooperation. Working together, the Village of Grayslake and the Grayslake Historical Society opened the new facility on August 15, 2010. This state of the art history museum features multiple exhibition galleries, a classroom, a community room, archives and collections storage. It incorporates the original Village Hall, a former one-room school house moved to the site and expanded in 1895.

Our marketing coordinator is still on vacation 🙁Do you think she will like this picture of our Fire Department exhibit?
10/12/2026

Our marketing coordinator is still on vacation 🙁Do you think she will like this picture of our Fire Department exhibit?

Look at this great display of books at the Grayslake Area Public Library! They pulled titles for all ages related to our...
10/10/2026

Look at this great display of books at the Grayslake Area Public Library! They pulled titles for all ages related to our "Grayslake Fire & Rescue" exhibit.

Today, October 10, is the last day of Fire Prevention Week, the longest-running public health and safety observance on r...
10/10/2026

Today, October 10, is the last day of Fire Prevention Week, the longest-running public health and safety observance on record. It is observed annually during the week of October 9th to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

In observance of Fire Prevention Week, here is a quick tip regarding your rechargeable devices:
Soft surface? Hard pass!
Charge on a hard, flat surface like a table, desk, or bare floor.

The good news is, today is NOT the last day of the "Grayslake Fire & Rescue: Past, Present, Prepared" exhibit at the Grayslake Heritage Center & Museum so you still have time to catch it. We are OPEN: Wednesday - Saturday from 12 - 4 PM and whenever the Grayslake Farmers Market is happening.

Did you know that in 1927, Grayslake purchased a fire truck from the Peter Pirsch Company in Kenosha? The bell from that...
10/09/2026

Did you know that in 1927, Grayslake purchased a fire truck from the Peter Pirsch Company in Kenosha? The bell from that engine can be seen in our current exhibit, "Grayslake Fire & Rescue: Past, Present, Prepared."

Want to learn more about fire trucks? Bob Lichter from the Kenosha History Center will be joining us to talk about the Peter Pirsch Company! Hear the stories of Bob and his father who spent a collective 52 years working for Pirsch. The program is on October 20 at 7 PM. We hope to see you there!

It's Day Six of Fire Prevention Week, the longest-running public health and safety observance on record. It is observed ...
10/09/2026

It's Day Six of Fire Prevention Week, the longest-running public health and safety observance on record. It is observed annually during the week of October 9th to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

In observance of Fire Prevention Week, here is a quick tip from our very own Grayslake Fire District:
Keep combustible materials at least 3 feet away from heat sources.

To learn more about the Grayslake Fire Protection District, visit our new exhibit "Grayslake Fire & Rescue: Past, Present, Prepared" at the Grayslake Heritage Center & Museum. We are OPEN: Wednesday - Saturday from 12 - 4 PM and whenever the Grayslake Farmers Market is happening.

It's Day Five of Fire Prevention Week, the longest-running public health and safety observance on record. It is observed...
10/08/2026

It's Day Five of Fire Prevention Week, the longest-running public health and safety observance on record. It is observed annually during the week of October 9th to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

In observance of Fire Prevention Week, here is a quick tip from our very own Grayslake Fire District:
Maintain working smoke alarms!

To learn more about the Grayslake Fire Protection District, visit our new exhibit "Grayslake Fire & Rescue: Past, Present, Prepared" at the Grayslake Heritage Center & Museum. We are OPEN: Wednesday - Saturday from 12 - 4 PM and whenever the Grayslake Farmers Market is happening.

Next week, we will take you back four score and several years ago to hear from Abraham Lincoln on the life and times of ...
10/07/2026

Next week, we will take you back four score and several years ago to hear from Abraham Lincoln on the life and times of the 16th president.

First person interpreter Kevin Woods will share stories about what led the Lincoln to the White House and the challenges that befell him during the last 12 years of his life.

The program will begin at 6 PM on Friday, October 16. Top hats and fake beards are not required but heavily encouraged. We hope to see you then!

On This Date--The Battle of Kings Mountain Was FoughtThis little-known battle proved the fortitude of those who fought f...
10/07/2026

On This Date--The Battle of Kings Mountain Was Fought

This little-known battle proved the fortitude of those who fought for independence without the backing of the full Continental Army. Many Patriot militias sprang up around the Colonies, but most were untrained with few supplies. The British had begun their rather victorious southern campaign, conquered Charleston, and were on their way to take North Carolina. Over 1,000 British troops thought they would easily win the area. Their commander, Patrick Ferguson, was confident of their upcoming victories. He was soon proven very wrong.

A group of Appalachian Patriots known as the Overmountain Men lay in wait for the British. Several notable figures including William Campbell, John Sevier, Joseph McDowell, Benjamin Cleveland, and Isaac Shelby led the 900 militiamen. A scouting party reported the British movements, and the commanders gave this instruction: “Don’t wait for the word of command. Let each one of you be your own officer and do the very best you can.” Campbell added that they should “shout like Hell and fight like devils.” The Patriots did just that. The militiamen surrounded the British and began fighting from all sides. One Loyalist soldier recalled later that they, “looked like devils from the infernal regions.” Attempting to retreat, Patrick Ferguson mounted his horse to lead his troops through the forest… and became an easy target for the marksmen of the Overmountain men. He was shot several times, and his horse fled with his body still hanging from the stirrups. Without their commander, the British surrendered. Thomas Jefferson referred to this victory as “the turn of the tide of success” for the Patriots.

It's Day Four of Fire Prevention Week, the longest-running public health and safety observance on record. It is observed...
10/07/2026

It's Day Four of Fire Prevention Week, the longest-running public health and safety observance on record. It is observed annually during the week of October 9th to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

In observance of Fire Prevention Week, here is a quick tip from our very own Grayslake Fire District:
If your clothes catch fire, remember to STOP, DROP and ROLL.

To learn more about the Grayslake Fire Protection District, visit our new exhibit "Grayslake Fire & Rescue: Past, Present, Prepared" at the Grayslake Heritage Center & Museum. We are OPEN: Wednesday - Saturday from 12 - 4 PM and whenever the Grayslake Farmers Market is happening.

It's Day Three of Fire Prevention Week, the longest-running public health and safety observance on record. It is observe...
10/06/2026

It's Day Three of Fire Prevention Week, the longest-running public health and safety observance on record. It is observed annually during the week of October 9th to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

In observance of Fire Prevention Week, here is a quick tip from our very own Grayslake Fire District :
Never leave a lit candle unattended.

To learn more about the Grayslake Fire Protection District, visit our new exhibit "Grayslake Fire & Rescue: Past, Present, Prepared" at the Grayslake Heritage Center & Museum. We are OPEN: Wednesday - Saturday from 12 - 4 PM and whenever the Grayslake Farmers Market is happening.

Address

Grayslake, IL

Opening Hours

Wednesday 12pm - 7pm
Thursday 12pm - 4pm
Friday 12pm - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+18475431745

Website

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