LeeWards was an American crafts and fabrics retailer. It was founded in Elgin in 1947. Join Linda Rock for a Brown Bag Lunch that will explore how LeeWards went from a mail order catalog to 100 specialty craft stores nationwide. Linda will also share LeeWards related items from her personal collection! THIS EVENT IS AT […]

Did you know Elgin was once famous for its milk and butter? Six thousand cows can't be wrong! Join us to learn why Elgin was once the Butter Capital of the Midwest and how a man from Texas got a library named after him in Elgin. Join us at the Tefft Farm inside the Lords […]

LAST CHANCE to see amazing artwork created with paper by Elgin artist Steve Kroiss. Steve's pieces have a very strong architectural influence. Each piece is designed layer by layer, then cut and assembled accordingly. Steve will be on site to answer any questions you have about his process, influences, or just to chat.

The Lords Park Zoo opened in 1895 and was once home to bears, snakes, and even a lion!  Come visit the modern Tefft Farm Zoo inside Lords Park and make crafts to help remember the past residents of the zoo. Best for ages 3-8.

The impact of World War 2 and D-Day on Elgin citizens both at home and abroad is re-told through newspaper clippings and photos from 80 years ago. FREE for Members / $5 for Guests. Please register:

Roadmaps: Meg Jordan, Kelly Ann Cunningham, Beizar Aradini, Nick Cartwright and Martha LazarskiSunday August 18th, Reception 5-7pm Side Street Studio Artis pleased to present Roadmaps by Meg Jordan, Kelly Ann Cunningham, Nick Cartwright, and Martha Lazarski. Roadmaps is an art exhibition in two parts that aims to foster connections between the emerging artists in the […]

Elginites from all neighborhoods and those with Elgin stories to tell are invited! At this luncheon and community gathering participants will engage in storytelling, conversation, and map rendering. Maps of Elgin will serve as a catalyst for discourse and activities centered around change, memories, and identifying landmarks in our town which hold meaning. Going Dutch […]

Preserving Your Neighborhood is a new exhibit series at the Elgin History Museum. Help celebrate the exhibit opening with information about the Elgin National Watch Historic District. The neighborhood has been a historic district for almost 30 years! Debra Vruble and Carly Gorick from the neighborhood association will give a short introduction and history of the […]

This presentation includes a review of the laws and trends regarding immigration to the United States from the time of the Founding Fathers to the late 20th century. Special emphasis will be placed on the presenter’s dissertation topic: immigration from Northern Mexico to South Texas during World War I and slightly beyond. Presented by Edward […]