Overview

February 1-28, 2023
In honor of Black History Month, join the County of DuPage and the DuPage County Historical Museum in celebrating Black Trailblazers who created change by breaking down barriers. Learn about several African Americans who fought to shape the world in which they lived in the areas of art, education, sports and Civil Rights.

Exhibit curated by Michael Childress and Emily O’Brien.

June 11, 2022-March 25, 2023
Several DuPage County residents have penned nationally regarded novels and other fictional works, such as Anna and the King of Siam and the Little Orphan Annie comic strip. Stories of DuPage explores the lives and careers of these authors, examining how their DuPage roots shaped the stories they told.

Sponsored by:

August 13, 2022-June 3, 2023
In a world of restrictive men’s styles and fashions, there has always been one way they could express themselves in almost any way imaginable: facial hair. Come explore the styles and trends of men’s facial hair from the 19th century to the present day and everything in between.

September 17, 2022-June 3, 2023
Many people have fond memories of visiting their grandparents’ and other relatives’ kitchens and watching them prepare delicious food. Grandma’s Kitchen explores how cooking traditions and technologies have changed over the generations and impacted the food we eat.

Ongoing Exhibit at Arrowhead Golf Club*
Explore golf history’s Midwestern beginnings by visiting Wheaton, Illinois: Golf History Starts Here at Arrowhead Golf Club. The 1893 Chicago World’s Fair lured golfers onto the greens and an appreciation of the sport grew from there. This exhibit chronicles how Wheaton, Illinois played a pivotal role in the evolution of golf and brings local golf history to life. *Arrowhead Golf Club is located at 26W151 Butterfield Road in Wheaton, IL (Map) Video below: Ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception in honor of the Wheaton – Golf History Starts Here exhibit at Arrowhead Golf Club.

Golf History Display from City of Wheaton TV on Vimeo.

Journey through 150 years of history, from the European-American settlement of DuPage County in the 1830s through the celebration of the 1989 sesquicentennial year. Learn how DuPage residents experienced major historical events, adapted to changing economic and social circumstances, and started lasting traditions. Due to the exhibit’s age, staff has begun to remove and replace some of the artifacts on display to assure their long-term preservation.

All Aboard features artifacts and historical information on railroads in DuPage County. Located in the same space is the HO Gauge Model Railroad compliments of the DuPage Society of Model Engineers. The detailed layout covers over 2,000 feet of track and highlights some of DuPage County’s railroads and landmarks in a landscape blending fact and fantasy. The model railroad is always on display and has a pushbutton-activated train loop for visitors to enjoy when the Society is not operating the layout. The DuPage Society of Model Engineers is a separate non-profit group that has built and maintained the HO gauge Model Train since 1965. Trains run from 1:30-3:30P on the third and fifth Saturday of each month.

The DuPage Society of Engineers meets every Wednesday from 8-10P for operation and maintenance; also on the third and fifth Saturdays of the month from 1:30-3:30P to operate for the public. Members must be at least 16 years old. Those with a passion for model trains who are interested in helping to maintain and operate the railroad exhibit should contact:

• Ken Valentine at 630.668.6017 or sq_rigger@msn.com or
• Tom Schneider at 630.885.1817 or Tjohnschneider@aol.com. Members must be at least 16 years old.

This space has gone through some great changes in the past years. For young visitors, we’ve added a play kitchen station, historic costumes, and a wooden railroad. The DuPage County Historical Museum aims to keep these interactive activities coming, and we can do so with your help! An architecture and correspondence station are in the works, as well as expansions to the already existing activities. Local groups and organizations are invited to sponsor a station. Interested parties may leave their contact information at the front desk to learn more.

The 36th Illinois fought in many battles including Pea Ridge, Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, Dallas, Kenesaw, Atlanta, Franklin, and Nashville. Made of painted silk, this flag was brought back to Springfield after the war. The flag was professionally conserved from 2008-2009 with intensive cleaning and precise repair of the fabric. The restoration was made possible by generous efforts of the Illinois State Military Museum, The Illinois National Guard, the DuPage County Historical Museum, Illinois Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Camps 1 and 2, The Civil War Roundtable of Chicago, The Salt Creek Civil War Roundtable, the McCormick Foundation, and many individuals. The National Colors will remain at the DuPage County Historical Museum through February 2024, on loan from the Illinois State Military Museum.

The guidon flag was carried by the soldiers of the 8th Regiment of the Illinois Volunteer Cavalry during the Civil War. Beginning in early 1862, the 8th Illinois was stationed in Washington D.C. and attached to the Army of the Potomac, fighting in their first battle at Williamsburg. The unit also fought in a number of engagements including Mechanicsville (Seven Days Battle), Hanover Court House, Seven Pines, Brandy Station, Middleburg, Upperville, and Gettysburg. The 8th Illinois aided in the hunt for John Wilkes Booth, President Abraham Lincoln’s assassin, and served as Lincoln’s honor guard while he lay under the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C. The flag was professionally conserved from 2011-2012 with intensive cleaning and precise repair of the fabric. A total of $20,000 was raised to fund the work through the combined efforts of the DuPage County Historical Museum, the Illinois State Military Museum, the Illinois National Guard and Militia Historical Society and the 8th Illinois Cavalry Reenactors. The Guidon will remain at the DuPage County Historical Museum through February 2024, on loan from the Illinois State Military Museum. Watch a video of the 8th Illinois Cavalry Guidon Dedication held on July 1, 2012.