DuPage County Historical Museum

08/31/2024

All aboard!! Today, August 31, is Train Saturday! Today, from 1:30p – 3:30p, the DuPage Society of Model Engineers will be running the trains and answering questions on the Lower Level of the Museum. Come on in!

08/30/2024

We had such an amazing time hosting several summer camps these past few months! Here are some of our favorite highlights. We hope to see you back next year!

08/29/2024

We are excited!

Tonight's the night! Shakespeare in the Park is finally here with a free performance of “As You Like It" at Memorial Park! The play begins at 7P on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with gates opening at 5:30P and the puppet show synopsis at 6:45P. Light concessions are available for purchase, and proceeds benefit the DuPage County Historical Museum. No tickets are required. Thank you to Wheaton College for their community partnership. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3mrowMy

08/29/2024

Happy Thursday everyone! The Back-to-School season has us reminiscing about Longfellow School. The original Longfellow School of Wheaton featured some beautiful masonry and an impressive bell tower, as seen here in this postcard dated May 23, 1911. The original building stood mostly intact from its opening in 1874, until the construction of a new structure in 2001. What a legacy!

08/27/2024

This weekend is Train Saturday! Join us on Saturday August 31 with the DuPage Society of Model Engineers on the lower level of the Museum. They will be running the train and answering questions from 1:30p – 3:30p. To plan your visit and for more information please visit https://bit.ly/3VYsz0S

08/26/2024

We look forward to seeing everyone at Shakespeare in the Park August 29-31! Make sure to stop by the Museum table.

Escape into the Forest of Arden as we bring Shakespeare’s "As You Like It" to life in Memorial Park from August 29-31! Enjoy this free performance under the stars, co-hosted by Wheaton College Arena Theater. Grab your picnic basket and join us for an evening of love, laughter, and adventure. Perfect for families, friends, and anyone who loves a good story. See you there! https://bit.ly/3mrowMy

08/23/2024

School is back in session, and we are so excited for the fall season of educational programs! If you are a teacher, Scout leader, or educator looking for something unique and engaging, consider booking with the Museum! We offer a variety of workshops, tours, and programs that aim to connect and inspire students at every level! For more information or to begin the booking process, please visit our website: https://bit.ly/3VYsz0S

08/22/2024

Happy Thursday everyone! As students return to the classroom, we were reminded of this photo of a class in session at Wheaton High School circa 1920. Look at those fabulous desks and traditional blackboard! Happy Back-to-School everyone!

08/21/2024

For more than sixty years, Barbie has been played with, analyzed, collected, criticized, and loved. In this illustrated lecture, Barbie: The History of America’s Most Famous Doll, historian Leslie Goddard delves into the history of Barbie. Learn the inspiration behind Mattel’s 1959 Barbie, how Barbie helped make Mattel one of the world’s most successful toy companies, and what Barbie’s impact has been on American culture. Join us at the Museum on Saturday, September 21 at 1P for this incredible event. All ages are welcome, please visit https://bit.ly/46NkhA2
to register. This event is supported by the DuPage Foundation.

08/20/2024

Illinois Humanities Road Scholar John Goldsmith will present the story of three enterprising young men who founded a marching band uniform supply company in 1892. It’s an entertaining tale of trick chairs, strength testers, graduation caps and gowns, and band uniforms. This event is presented as part of the Illinois Humanities Road Scholars Bureau and will take place on September 14 at 1pm. How is the goat involved? We cannot wait to find out! This is a free event for all ages. To register, please visit https://bit.ly/3VYsz0S

08/19/2024

🎃👻 Tickets on Sale Now! 👻🎃

Get ready for the spookiest night of the year at our annual Halloween Party: Night at the Museum! 🎃✨

📅 Date: Friday, October 18
⏰ Time: 6-8:30P

Grab your tickets now and don't miss out on this unforgettable night of Halloween fun! https://bit.ly/4dNvVNk

08/19/2024

Invented in 1959, Barbie has become an icon synonymous with childhood and pretend play, but what about before then? What types of dolls and toys were children throughout history utilizing in their everyday play? Before Barbie, opening September 7, 2024, introduces patrons to the Museum’s collection of dolls and toys that children would have played with for decades before the iconic Barbie and other contemporary toys were invented.

08/18/2024

We are about one month away from the official start of fall! 🍂

HOP into the new season and join us at HOPtober Fest on Saturday, September 28! This fall-themed 21+ event is the ultimate day-time date or hangout with friends. With over 20 fall-flavored beers, seltzers, and ciders to sample from, it's an experience you won’t want to miss. Get your tickets today! https://bit.ly/44s3DVd

08/17/2024

Today, August 17, is National Nonprofit Day! We would like to extend our gratitude to the 13 volunteers who serve on the DuPage County Historical Museum Foundation Board of Directors! The Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that is committed to supporting the Museum's mission to educate the general public about the history of DuPage County. Thank you for your passion and dedication to the Museum and local history!

From left to right: Michael Benard, Glennette Tilley Turner, Bill Liu, Emily Doyle, Marty Keller, Dan Wagner, Melody Coleman, Troy Rodman, Philip Buchanan

Not pictured: David Thiel, Sameera Hussain, Dawn DeSart, Michael Childress

08/17/2024

All aboard!! Today, August 17, is Train Saturday! Today, from 1:30p – 3:30p, the DuPage Society of Model Engineers will be running the trains and answering questions on the Lower Level of the Museum. Come on in!

08/16/2024

Our Explorers Club membership has some perks that you don’t want to miss out on!

• Discounted tickets to Night at the Museum on Friday, October 18
• Pre-sale access for Santa Express
• An extra hour at select Train Saturdays

Become a member of the Museum today! https://bit.ly/48qbsMZ

08/15/2024

Happy Thursday everyone! Today’s feature is a newspaper ad for Hiatt’s Drug Store in Wheaton, first established in 1859! Here they are advertising a special pumpkin-center ice cream for Halloween! As summer changes to fall, are you excited for more pumpkin flavored treats?

08/13/2024

This weekend is Train Saturday! Join us on Saturday August 17 with the DuPage Society of Model Engineers on the lower level of the Museum. They will be running the train and answering questions from 1:30p – 3:30p. To plan your visit and for more information please visit https://bit.ly/3VYsz0S

08/12/2024

We are looking forward to this year's Shakespeare in the Park performance of "As You Like it"!

Join us for an unforgettable Shakespeare in the Park performance of "As You Like It" on August 29, 30, and 31! 🌳

Gather your friends and family and bring a picnic basket or pick up pizza and snacks at the concession stand and immerse yourself in the timeless beauty of Shakespeare's work as you enjoy an evening under the stars in Memorial Park. This free event is hosted in partnership with Wheaton College Arena Theater. https://bit.ly/3mrowMy

08/12/2024

Congratulations to the Museum Manager, Michelle Podkowa, on celebrating 10 years at the DuPage County Historical Museum! Thank you for your time and dedication, and for bringing so many amazing programs to life for our community. Thank you, Michelle!

08/10/2024

Host your next event at the Museum! We are now taking reservations for the Fall event season. Make your event special with the Museum’s unique amenities, including use of Margaret Adams Dunton Hall, access to the Museum's exhibit spaces for all guests, sound system, projector, laptop, podium and more! Please visit our website for more information: https://bit.ly/3VYsz0S

08/09/2024

Wow! Congratulations to these amazing athletes!

08/09/2024

Children around the world have created and played with paper dolls for over a thousand years. Discover your creative side by creating your own paper dolls and be a part of the tradition! Join us at the Museum on Saturday, September 7 from 1-3pm for our paper dolls craft workshop! This event is supported by the DuPage Foundation. Please visit our website for more information and to register.

08/08/2024

Happy Thursday everyone! As you begin to pack away your beach toys and swimwear, take a moment to compare our modern styles to this women’s Jantzen swimsuit from around the 1930s. What similarities or differences do you notice?

08/07/2024

THANK YOU to the DuPage Foundation History Fund of DuPage for sponsoring HOPtober Fest! We are grateful to have a Presenting Sponsor who shares our passion in collecting, preserving and exhibiting our County's rich history.

We invite you to share your passion of history and fall brews with us by attending HOPtober Fest! https://bit.ly/44s3DVd

08/04/2024

Struggling to plan your child’s next birthday? Consider booking with the Museum! Our birthday packages offer access to our unique space, exhibit exploration time, decorations and craft supplies, and up to 45 mins of a themed activity facilitated by our excellent staff! Themes for children’s parties include trains, dinosaurs, and a Victorian era tea party! A minimum of two weeks’ notice is required to schedule an event. For more information please visit: https://dupagemuseum.org/parties-rentals/

08/01/2024

Unlock exclusive Museum access with our NEW membership program!

Members of the DuPage County Historical Museum receive exclusive benefits including free or discounted admission to 300+ organizations, research services, and discounted admission to select events. Explore our County's history and become a member today! https://bit.ly/48qbsMZ

08/01/2024

Happy Thursday everyone! It’s the final days of summer and we’re making the most of the August heat. We hope that everyone has had a chance to enjoy the summer weather and sun, much like the Hiatt family who are featured in this week’s archival picture. This photograph was likely taken around 1890 and shows several members of the Hiatt family, posing against a log, while they spent a day at the beach.

07/31/2024

Did you know that you can become a member of the DuPage County Historical Museum? Our members receive unique benefits including free or discounted admission to over 300+ historical organizations!

We are excited to share that our NEW program launches Thursday, August 1 and is designed to cater to everyone from students and history enthusiasts to families. Be on the lookout for how you can sign up!

07/26/2024

Today is the opening day of the 2024 Summer Olympic games! This year’s games are being held in Paris, France. The Olympics are an international sporting event that began in Olympia, Greece, from 776 BCE through 393 CE. The modern games began in Athens, Greece, in 1896. The Olympic Flame was first inaugurated in the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam. As the games begin today, we can celebrate a long-standing tradition that brings people together from all over the world!