Wilmette History Museum

Wilmette History Museum The Wilmette History Museum is dedicated to exploring, preserving, and sharing Wilmette's history. http://www.wilmettehistory.org/involved.html

Our Museum is operated by the Wilmette Historical Society, a volunteer organization devoted to promoting local history, and by the Village of Wilmette. Located in the historic Gross Point Village Hall building, we offer exhibits, a research room, and special events and programs in our meeting space. For more information, visit our website at:
http://www.wilmettehistory.com

Interested in membership or volunteer opportunities?

Did you know Wilmette is home to more than 14 miles of historic brick streets? 🧱First installed in the late 1890s, brick...
06/04/2026

Did you know Wilmette is home to more than 14 miles of historic brick streets? 🧱

First installed in the late 1890s, brick paving transformed Wilmette’s dusty dirt roads into durable, all weather streets and became one of the Village’s most recognizable features.

These streets tell another story as well. During the Great Depression, Works Progress Administration (WPA) crews carefully lifted, relaid, and restored thousands of bricks throughout Wilmette. As a reminder of their work, laborers placed handmade cement markers among the bricks. Many of those markers can still be found today, and no two are exactly alike!

The next time you walk or drive down one of Wilmette’s brick streets, see if you can spot one of these small pieces of local history. 🔎

Photos:

1905: Lake Ave
2026: Brick Streets today
1980: WPA Marker
1937: Downtown Wilmette

Thinking about summer plans and programming over here at the Museum.☀️In this 1961 photo, Harper students Ann Craighead ...
05/28/2026

Thinking about summer plans and programming over here at the Museum.☀️

In this 1961 photo, Harper students Ann Craighead and Amy Johnson asked their classmates where they were headed and how they were traveling for summer break.

So tell us, what are your summer plans this year?
🕶️⛱️🌊🍦

Adopt an Artifact Spotlight: Golbach’s Picnic GroveThis felt fedora and small brass hat check token offer a glimpse into...
05/21/2026

Adopt an Artifact Spotlight: Golbach’s Picnic Grove

This felt fedora and small brass hat check token offer a glimpse into one of Wilmette’s former gathering places.
Stamped “B.A. GOLBACH / 23 / HAT,” the token was used at Golbach’s Picnic Grove, an outdoor beer garden and dance floor once located along Lake Avenue near Ridge Road. Bernard A. Golbach, who operated a tavern at the southwest corner of Ridge and Lake, welcomed visitors to the grove for music, dancing, and community gatherings.

Maybe this token helped someone keep track of their hat while they enjoyed a night out on Ridge Road!

Through our Adopt an Artifact program, local businesses, like , help preserve pieces like this and keep Wilmette’s stories alive.

And that’s a wrap on our 2026 Annual Housewalk! This year, we were honored to showcase four beautiful Prairie School Sty...
05/20/2026

And that’s a wrap on our 2026 Annual Housewalk!

This year, we were honored to showcase four beautiful Prairie School Style homes and celebrate the incredible architecture and history that make our community so special.

We are so grateful to our homeowners, sponsors, volunteers, and everyone who joined us for our biggest fundraiser of the year. Thank you for helping make this event such a success!

We can’t wait to see you in 2027!

Step inside some of Wilmette’s beautiful Prairie Style homes before it’s too late!There are only TWO DAYS left to purcha...
05/15/2026

Step inside some of Wilmette’s beautiful Prairie Style homes before it’s too late!

There are only TWO DAYS left to purchase tickets for our 2026 Wilmette Housewalk: Inspired by Prairie School Design. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to explore incredible architecture, rich history, and stunning design throughout Wilmette!

📍 Sunday, May 17
🕐 1–4 PM

🎟️ Tickets will be available for purchase until Sunday afternoon, but tickets are selling quickly! Secure yours today. Use the 🔗 in our bio!

A huge thank you to our amazing sponsors for supporting the 2026 Wilmette Housewalk!This event would not be possible wit...
05/14/2026

A huge thank you to our amazing sponsors for supporting the 2026 Wilmette Housewalk!

This event would not be possible without the generosity of our community partners. We are so grateful for your partnership and support of this special event.

Thank you to:

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✨ ._adelaide_at_home

We cannot wait to welcome guests to this year’s Housewalk: Inspired by Prairie School Design!

Tickets are selling fast, so get yours today! Use the 🔗 in our bio, and support these amazing local businesses!

⏰ Time is almost up! Tomorrow is the LAST day to take advantage of Early Bird pricing for the Wilmette Housewalk: Inspir...
05/09/2026

⏰ Time is almost up! Tomorrow is the LAST day to take advantage of Early Bird pricing for the Wilmette Housewalk: Inspired by Prairie Design.

Tickets will still be available after tomorrow, but regular pricing will go into effect.

Become a new member today and save:
 • $5 off your membership with code: MEMBER26
 • $10 off your Housewalk ticket

We’re also celebrating Mother’s Day with a special membership offer:

🌷 Give a membership to your mom or loved one and save $5 with code: MAY26

Wilmette Housewalk: Inspired by Prairie Design
Sunday, May 17
1 – 4 PM

Tickets are selling fast, so get yours today!

Thinking about attending the Wilmette Housewalk? 🏠 Here’s a great way to save!Become a Wilmette Historical Society membe...
05/07/2026

Thinking about attending the Wilmette Housewalk? 🏠

Here’s a great way to save!

Become a Wilmette Historical Society member and receive $10 off your Housewalk ticket. Plus, if you join by May 10, you can also save $5 on your membership.
That’s savings on both your membership and your Housewalk experience!

Use promo code: MEMBER26 at checkout when purchasing your membership.

What is Prairie Style?Rooted in the Midwest, Prairie School design is known for its strong horizontal lines, open floor ...
05/06/2026

What is Prairie Style?

Rooted in the Midwest, Prairie School design is known for its strong horizontal lines, open floor plans, natural materials, and a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. It is architecture that feels grounded, intentional, and distinctly tied to the landscape. 🌿

Architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and John Van Bergen helped define this iconic style, and now you can experience it right here in Wilmette!

Join us for our Wilmette Housewalk Inspired by Prairie School Design, where you will have the rare opportunity to step inside four beautiful homes showcasing this architectural tradition.

Sunday, May 17th
1 to 4 PM

Tickets on sale now. Early bird pricing ends May 10th!

Come see Prairie Style up close and get inspired!

Looking for a thoughtful Mother’s Day gift this year? 🌺 A museum membership is something she can enjoy all year, whether...
05/04/2026

Looking for a thoughtful Mother’s Day gift this year? 🌺

A museum membership is something she can enjoy all year, whether it’s a quiet visit or time spent together at special events.

A simple way to give more time, more memories, and something to look forward to.

Purchase a membership today using the 🔗 in our bio!

Use code: May26 for $5 off this special membership

Photo: Beth Weiss and her daughter Mary Grace running while they try to hold onto a candy rope - taken on July 3, 2020 in Gillson Park

Address

609 Ridge Road
Wilmette, IL
60091

Opening Hours

Monday 1pm - 4:30pm
Tuesday 1pm - 4:30pm
Wednesday 1pm - 4:30pm
Thursday 1pm - 4:30pm
Sunday 1pm - 4:30pm

Website

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-historic-housewalk-tickets-1345455175649?utm-campaign

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