Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie

06/10/2026

In just 10 days, filmmakers, audiences, and environmental storytellers will come together for the inaugural Little Fort Environmental Film Festival. The Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie is proud to be one of the host venues. Join us for a weekend of inspiring films, meaningful conversations, and community!

For more info and tickets, visit: https://littlefortfilmfestival.org

In just 10 days, filmmakers, audiences, and environmental storytellers will come together for the inaugural Little Fort Environmental Film Festival.

Secure your tickets and join us for a weekend of inspiring films, meaningful conversations, and community.

🎟️ Get your tickets today.

For more info: https://littlefortfilmfestival.org/

05/22/2026

Put history on your calendar this Memorial Day weekend!

Discover 12,000 years of Waukegan's diverse and dynamic history, world-renowned author Ray Bradbury's private book collection in his restored childhood library, and a special exhibition by local photographer Mary Neely all on display at the Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie.

At the Haines House Museum in Bowen Park, experience life in the 1870s in one of the oldest surviving buildings in Lake County. Highlights include the bed Abraham Lincoln slept on while visiting the city, artifacts of the Bowen Country Club founded by Jane Addams and Louise DeKoven Bowen of Chicago’s Hull House, and original paintings by former Waukegan resident Kate Cory, a prolific artist who lived among the Hopi people.

For more information and open hours, visit waukeganhistorical.org.

05/16/2026

Though Isaac L. Clarke of Vermont lived in Waukegan for only 15 years, he and his family contributed to the culture and growth of the community across many generations.

After graduating from Dartmouth College, Clarke came west to Waukegan in 1848. He secured a position at the Waukegan Academy, Lake County's first school of higher learning. Clarke was the associate principal and ancient languages and mathematics teacher.

He caught gold fever in 1850, leaving Waukegan to strike it rich in the California gold mines. When he returned several years later he became a lawyer.

On April 15, 1861, when news reached Waukegan by telegram of the fall of Fort Sumter and President Lincoln’s call for men to enlist, Clarke was one of the first and most vocal to respond.

To learn more about Clarke and Waukegan’s role in the American Civil War, join us on Thursday, May 21 at 6 p.m. for Diana Dretske’s presentation, The Bonds of War: 96th Illinois and the Union Cause.

The program, sponsored by the Waukegan Historical Society, is free. Register to reserve your spot at https://www.waukeganhistorical.org/events

04/29/2026

Coming June 20-21, 2026! The Little Fort Environmental Film Festival is Waukegan’s first environmental-focused international film festival, celebrating storytelling that elevates our relationship with water, land, and community. The Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie is proud to be a festival hosting venue. For more information about the award-winning films and to purchase tickets, visit www.LittleFortFilmFestival.org.

04/24/2026

What a wonderful World Book Day celebration! The Waukegan Park District was proud to partner with the Waukegan Historical Society, Waukegan Public Library, and Bernie's Book Bank to bring the community together for an evening filled with books, exhibits, and fun. Thank you to everyone who joined in the festivities!

04/22/2026

On this day in 1908, Waukegan fireman, John Hobart Jansen, was killed in the line of duty.

At 11 p.m. on April 22, 1908, while heading from his job at the Chicago Telephone Company/Illinois Bell in Waukegan, Jansen heard the alarm for a fire at the North Shore Electric Company. Instead of continuing home, Jansen turned around to assist his fellow firemen.

When the firemen arrived at the plant on Spring Street they found that "the belt on the big fly wheel was burning, that the interior of the plant had caught fire, and that the fly wheel was running wild."
Jansen was "aiding in bringing more hose to the firemen fighting the flames" when the drive wheel burst. "Jansen was picked up bodily by a huge fragment and carried through both walls of the Waukegan Ice Company building where his body was picked up bleeding and terribly mangled." He was rushed toward the Jane McAlister Hospital on North Avenue but died enroute. He was the first Waukegan fireman killed in the line of duty.

On Saturday, April 25, the funeral service was held at the Jansen residence on North Avenue. The house was packed with mourners, including family, friends, members of the Waukegan Fire Department and other area fire departments, Mayor Bullock and city councilmen, and Odd Fellows. The city had never seen such a large procession to Oakwood Cemetery, despite the downpour of rain.

In May 2005, the Waukegan Fire Department honored John Hobart Jansen with a memorial plaque at Fireman’s Park.

04/09/2026

🏆 Big News! The Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie has been honored with the 2026 Award of Excellence from the Illinois Association of Museums! 🥳
We received the Best Practices Award: Exhibits for The Waukegan Chronicles, our dynamic, bilingual exhibit that brings local history from the last Ice Age to the present day to life! With interactive displays and deep community stories, we’re proud to share Waukegan’s story. Thank you to the Waukegan Historical Society and the Waukegan Park District for this joint achievement! 📜✨