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 […]
Bring your lunch to the Museum and enjoy a speaker.
This is a nationwide program initiated and sponsored by the Hawai‘i America250 Commission. Just as the Declaration of Independence was read to the people on July 8, 1776, now, 250-years later, Americans in all 50 States, 5 Territories, the District of Columbia, and Minor Outlying Islands of the United States will read the Declaration of Independence […]
This event has been a Museum favorite since 2012 and it keeps growing every year! The show is open to all years and makes: Stock or modified cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Cars are featured on the front and back lawns and spill out onto Park Street! Rain Date is Sunday, July 12. Registration from 9am […]
