Events

Eric Krupa, Archivist of the St. Charles History Museum, will present on Illinois' expansive role on the Underground Railroad, and introduce the Illinois Network to Freedom Collective—a new initiative dedicated to researching the Underground Railroad in the State of Illinois.   In person event / FREE for Members / $5 Guests Please RSVP below so we […]

Don’t miss this chance to see Kiln-Formed Glass: An Artist’s Medium up close—and meet the artist behind it! The Nancy Kimball Cobblestone House will be open Saturday, March 14 from 12–4 PM for a special viewing. Hans Klemmer of Prairie Street Studios will be present to share insight into his work, process, and inspiration. Come enjoy […]

Celebrate the opening of Historic Route 20: A Journey Through America’s Heartland, a photography exhibit by artist Hans Klemmer capturing the unexpected sights and everyday moments found along the historic highway. Join us for a wine & cheese reception where Hans will give a short presentation and share stories from the road trip and the […]

Don’t miss this chance to see Kiln-Formed Glass: An Artist’s Medium up close—and meet the artist behind it! The Nancy Kimball Cobblestone House will be open Saturday, March 28 from 12–4 PM for a special viewing. Hans Klemmer of Prairie Street Studios will be present to share insight into his work, process, and inspiration. Come enjoy […]

In person event / FREE for Members / $5 Guests (Paid at the door) Storyteller Megan Wells brings Abigail Adams to life in a performance that blends vivid storytelling with historical insight. Through Adams’ own words and experiences, audiences gain a powerful glimpse into the intellect, humor, and resilience of one of America’s most influential […]

Celebrate the legacy of Selena Quintanilla at our Selena Social, a festive evening supporting the Hispanic Heritage Project. Join us on April 16 from 5:30–7:30pm at Carmina's Mexican Restaurant (1055 N. Randall) as we raise a glass to La Reina de la Música Tejana on her birthday. The Hispanic Heritage Project is a documentary and […]

Local author Rudy Galfi describes the harrowing times his grandparents faced in WW2 Europe, and how they fled to America. Rudy will share the powerful true story behind his book, the personal journey that inspired him to write it, and why these family stories must be preserved before they disappear. Books will be available for […]

LAST CHANCE to see Kiln-Formed Glass: An Artist’s Medium up close—and meet the artist behind it! Hans Klemmer of Prairie Street Studios will be present to share insight into his work, process, and inspiration. The Nancy Kimball Cobblestone House will be open April 18 from 2-8 PM. *****CLOSING RECEPTION SPECIAL***** 10% of all sales will be […]

Saturday, April 25 from 5:30pm – 10pmHoliday Inn, 495 Airport Road, Elgin$75 for members, $90 for guests.GET TICKETS BELOW! In 2026, our nation reaches an extraordinary milestone—250 years of the American story. The Elgin History Museum invites you to commemorate this once-in-a-generation anniversary at the Museum Gala, an evening of celebration and community pride. Enjoy […]

Tucked into the Elgin Sports Complex is the burying ground for the old Elgin State Hospital. Historian Bill Briska will be your guide to discover this little-known site and some stories it has to tell.  Location: Meet at Highlands Golf Course east parking lot. Elgin Sports Complex, 875 Sports Way. Time: 10am - 11am FREE […]

Step inside a rarely opened piece of Elgin’s history. This historic depot has been recently spruced up inside and out and now features new interpretive window displays highlighting its connection to the Elgin National Watch Company, which once operated nearby. Visitors will be able to go inside the building and discover this important link to […]

Learn about Smith Hoag, a prominent Elgin builder and architect active from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Hoag’s work includes many buildings and homes in Elgin, but his most notable work is the design of Dunham Castle in Wayne, IL. Presented by the Gifford Park Association.

Museum Curator Beth Nawara presents Entertaining Elgin. This program will use objects and images from the Elgin History Museum's collection to show a variety of events that entertained Elginites in the 1800s and 1900s. FREE for Members / $5 for Guests Please RSVP below

Celebrating Elgin's rich sports history, this exhibition traces the evolution of our community through its iconic sporting venues and the legendary figures who called them home—brought to life through a collection of sports artifacts from Elgin’s athletic past.

PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT IS AT GAIL BORDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY - MAIN BRANCH, MEADOWS COMMUNITY ROOMS ABC Enjoy a shortened screening of Dairies to Prairies, exploring Elgin’s dairy legacy—from its Butter Board of Trade to prairie restoration—plus highlights from the newly digitized Elgin Dairy Report. Dairies to Prairies tells the story of Elgin’s dairy heritage. […]

The founding of New Philadelphia, Illinois, was an extraordinary act of courage, strategy, and determination. In this presentation, Abdul Alkalimat—descendant of the town’s founders, Frank and Lucy McWorter—shares the story of how the McWorters built a town, protected their freedom, and shaped Illinois history. The program invites audiences to think more deeply about freedom, community, […]

One hundred years ago, the Brothers of Elgin Lodge No. 117 and other Masonic Bodies sealed their hopes, words, and keepsakes into a capsule — a message in a bottle cast across a century of time. Now that moment has arrived. You are cordially invited to join us as we open what our predecessors entrusted […]