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. Presented by Museum Curator, Beth Nawara. Please register on the GBPL website.

BACK FOR 2024!  Step into the historic Nancy Kimball Cobblestone House, where holiday magic awaits. It’s the perfect setting for your festive photos! Book a 15-minute time block and bring your own camera to take photos however you like. Santa will be there, ready to make every moment special—he’s pet-friendly and sensory-friendly, ensuring a comfortable […]

BACK FOR 2024! Step into the historic Nancy Kimball Cobblestone House, where holiday magic awaits. It’s the perfect setting for your festive photos! Book a 15-minute time block and bring your own camera to take photos however you like. Santa will be there, ready to make every moment special—he’s pet-friendly and sensory-friendly, ensuring a comfortable […]

Shop With Purpose on Museum Store Sunday, December 1, 2024. You will not only find quality gifts filled with inspiration and educational value, but through your purchase, you will also directly support the Museum! Our gift shop is full of custom, Elgin related gifts. Some items are made by local artisans in small batches. NEW […]

Christmas in America from the 1940s through the 1960s meant aluminum trees, department store Santas and TV specials. Every kid wanted an Easy Bake Oven, a G.I. Joe or a Slinky. Look back at this optimistic era in a fun illustrated lecture, using photos, ads, greeting cards and catalogs to explore why this era was […]

An Elgin Christmas tree is not complete without an ornament from LeeWards! For decades LeeWards sold craft supplies and decorations from their flagship store on State Street and in catalogs sent around the world. Bring the kids to the museum between 12-3pm to make your own LeeWards style sequin ornament to take home. This activity […]

Come enjoy a selection of oil paintings by Elgin fine artist Nick Freeman. Capturing the Moment showcases Freeman’s life-long interest in bringing to life the people, places and things that embody the fleeting and the timeless. Wine and Cheese will be served. Free event. Donations accepted. Exhibit will also be open to the public on Sunday, […]

Gather your friends, form a team, and join us for a night of fun, learning, and friendly competition. You'll learn fascinating facts and discover new tidbits about a wide range of Elgin related topics, all while having a blast with your teammates. The Elgin History Museum's Trivia Night FUN Raiser is a fantastic opportunity to […]

The Museum wants to thank our volunteers for their hard work and dedication. Save the Date! Event details coming soon.

Explore the early years of Illinois statehood, when proslavery advocates fought to legalize slavery despite the state’s designation as “free.” This dramatic performance-presentation brings to life the words of key figures from both sides of the struggle, illuminating the complexities of their arguments and the forces that shaped them. Combining historical readings, visuals, and audience […]