Directory of Local Historical Organizations
The DeKalb County History Center is proud to collaborate with over a dozen history organizations in DeKalb County! Discover your town’s unique history by visiting a local history center.
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Blackwell History of Education Museum and Milan Township One-Room School
Location:
The Learning Center, Gabel HallNIU/ Annie Glidden Rd.
DeKalb, IL 60115
Phone:
(815) 895-1236Email:
blackwell@niu.eduWeb:
www.cedu.niu.edu/blackwellHours:
Monday - Friday: 9 am - 4 pmPlease call ahead.
About:
The mission of the Blackwell History of Education Museum is to acquire and preserve artifacts and printed materials representing the history of American education, and to present them in ways that forge meaningful connections between our educational history and modern communities. The collection holds objects representing rural schools between 1850 - 1950, including a library of over 1,000 books. The Blackwell History of Education Museum and Milan Township One-Room Schoolhouse have community and campus programming.DeKalb Area Agricultural Historical Association, Inc.
Location:
111 S. Second St.Suite 204
DeKalb, IL 60115
Phone:
(815) 756-8737Email:
daaha.inc@gmail.comWeb:
www.daaha.orgHours:
By appointment.About:
The mission of the DeKalb Area Agricultural Historical Association is to leverage our agricultural heritage in Northern Illinois to cultivate innovators. DAAHA acts as a catalyst to promote future innovation through agricultural heritage and networking within the DeKalb County community.DeKalb County Historical Genealogical Society
Address:
P.O. Box 295
Sycamore, IL 60178
Email:
rklein@kleinstoddard.com
About:
The mission of the DeKalb County Historical Genealogical Society is to bring together people interested in history and genealogy, especially history and genealogy within DeKalb County. DCHGS writes and reproduces historical books and publishes Cornsilk, a historical publication.
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DeKalb Public Library Local History Room
Location:
309 Oak StreetDeKalb, IL 60115
Phone:
(815) 756-9568 x2114Email:
teresai@dkpl.orgWeb:
www.dkpl.orgHours:
Monday: 2 pm - 8 pmTuesday: 2 pm - 6 pm
Wednesday: 9 am - 5 pm
Thursday: 2 pm - 5 pm
Friday: 1 pm - 5 pm
First Saturday of each month: 10 am - 1 pm
About:
The Local History and Genealogy Collection is a special collection within the DeKalb Public Library. The collection’s primary purpose is to collect and preserve and promote materials that document the history of the City of DeKalb, the surrounding area, and DeKalb County, and to make these materials available to researchers and the general public. The intent of the library is to preserve these materials for future use and therefore they are designated for library use only.Ellwood House Museum
Location:
509 N. First St.DeKalb, IL 60115
Phone:
(815) 756-4609Email:
info@ellwoodhouse.orgWeb:
www.ellwoodhouse.orgHours:
March 1 - November 30Tours: Tuesday - Sunday at 1 pm & 3 pm
December 1 - February 28
Tuesday - Friday: 10 am - 4 pm
About:
The mission of the Ellwood House Museum is to engage visitors with authentic examples of ingenuity and architecture by sharing the Ellwood mansion, gardens, and museum campus. The Ellwood House Museum offers ten acres of parkland, seven historic structures, and a modern visitor center. Special tours of the mansion can be scheduled for groups of 10 or more.Watch our Video
Hinckley Historical Society
Location:
145 E. Lincoln Ave.
Hinckley, IL 60520
Hours:
Saturday: 10 am - 3 pm
Email:
hinckleyhistoricalsociety@gmail.com
Welcome Video:
About:
The mission of the Hinckley Historical Society is to preserve and maintain the history of the Hinckley area including Squaw Grove and Pierce Townships. The Society collection includes artifacts, records, photographs, local newspapers, and oral history statements. Dioramas showcasing the development of the village and shared stories about businesses and individuals that shaped the community are featured on-site.
Joseph F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center
Location:
921 W. Lincoln Hwy.
DeKalb, IL 60115
Phone:
(815) 756-7904
Email:
rob@gliddenhomestead.org
Web:
Welcome Video:
Hours:
Tuesday: 10 am - 2 pm and by special arrangement
About:
The mission of the Joseph F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center is to restore and preserve the site; to collect and preserve relevant materials relating to the Glidden family, the invention of barbed wire, and its broader impact on the nation's development; and to educate the public by establishing a museum and innovation center at the site. The Glidden Homestead is dedicated to telling an American story of migration, innovation, and philanthropy at the site where Joseph F. Glidden invented "The Winner" barbed wire. Visitors can tour his historic home and barn and see an on-site working blacksmith shop. Over 100 garments from 1850 - 1950 are featured in the collection.
Kirkland Historical Society
Location:
309 S. Fifth St.
Kirkland, IL 60146
Email:
jeanklock@ymail.com
Web:
Hours:
Monday: 1 pm - 4 pm
By appointment.
Welcome Video:
About:
The mission of the Kirkland Historical Society is to stimulate interest in the Kirkland area history through education, research, collection, and preservation. A large collection of objects that connect to past and present businesses in Kirkland is featured.
Kishwaukee Valley Heritage Society
Location:
622 Park Ave.Genoa, IL 60135
Phone:
(815) 784-5559Email:
kvhs@atcyber.netWeb:
https://www.facebook.com/Kishwaukee-Valley-Heritage-SocietyHours:
Wednesday: 1 pm - 5 pmSecond Sunday of the month: 2 pm - 4 pm
By appointment.
About:
The purpose of KVHS shall be charitable and educational in order to bring together those people interested in history, especially in the history of our communities of Genoa, Kingston, and Mayfield Townships. Understanding the history of our communities is basic to our democratic way of life, gives us a better understanding of our communities, and helps us better appreciate our American heritage. The KVHS features a large collection of photographs from during the turn of the century, the oldest hearse in DeKalb County, and a collection of telephones from Leich Electric Co.Watch our Video
Leland Historical Society
Location:
205 N. Main Street--upper,Leland, IL 60531
Email:
info@lelandhistory.orgWeb:
https://lelandhistory.org/Welcome Video:
About:
The mission of the Leland Historical Society is to collect, preserve, and provide a repository of artifacts and historical records relating to the Leland area as a legacy for future generations.Malta Historical and Genealogical Society
Location:
127 N. Third St.Malta, IL 60150
Phone:
(815) 825-2330Hours:
By appointment.About:
The Malta Historical and Genealogical Society’s mission is to be a community center and conduct historical preservation. MHGS has rental space available.North Grove School Association
Location:
26745 Brickville Rd.Sycamore, IL 60178
Email:
jparsons@syc427.orgWeb:
www.northgroveschool.orgWelcome Video:
Hours:
By appointment and for special events.About:
The mission of the North Grove School Association is to restore, preserve, and protect the site, to collect and preserve relevant materials relating to the site, and rural education to educate the public through events and programs. NGSA is used by students via field trips and historical programming and is available to the community and public. NGSA is a member of the Country School Association of America and the DeKalb County Association of Historical Societies and Museums. The school is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.The Regional Library
Location:
Founders Memorial Library, Room 400Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115
Phone:
(815) 753-1779Email:
jparsons@syc427.orgWeb:
https://library.niu.edu/ulib/content/collections/rhc/index.shtmlHours:
Monday - Friday: 8 am - 4:30 pm, closed 12 pm - 1 pmAbout:
The Regional History Center, a unique component of NIU’s commitment to education, research, and public service. The Center’s mission is to acquire, preserve, and make available to the public the most significant historical records of the northern Illinois region. The Center actively collects from the eighteen northern counties of Illinois excluding Cook County. Since 1977 the Center has grown into a multifaceted research center which houses three related sets of historical records: University Archives, Regional Collections, and Local Government Records (Illinois Regional Archives Depository). The Regional History Center is always adding manuscripts to the collections. Please feel free to contact the center if you believe you have documents that should be preserved for future generations.Sandwich Historical Society
Location:
315 E. Railroad St.Sandwich, IL 60548
Phone:
(815) 786-2513Email:
jhardekopf7@gmail.comWeb:
https://www.Facebook.com/SandwichHistoryWelcome Video
About:
The mission of the Sandwich Historical Society is to bring together people interested in preserving the Stonemill Museum, protecting its artifacts and historical items, and furthering the interests of the museum. Annually, on the 4th of July weekend, SHS displays its collection and features a panel of community members sharing oral histories. The Sandwich Historical Society features a collection open to the public.Shabbona-Lee-Rollo Historical Museum
Location:
119 W. Comanche St.Shabbona, IL 60550
Phone:
(815) 824-2597Email:
slrmuseum@gmail.comWeb:
www.slrmuseum.comHours:
Tuesday & Thursday: 9 am - 11:30 am, 12:30 pm - 3 pmSunday: 9 am - 11 am
About:
The mission of the Shabbona-Lee-Rollo Historical Museum is to provide a link to the past for any persons with a connection to the District #425 school community by enlightening and educating through our extensive collection of historical information. The museum features changing exhibits and research opportunities for the public, including databases on its website.Sycamore Fire Preservation Company, LTD.
Location:
535 DeKalb Ave.Sycamore, IL 60178
Email:
gfege217@frontier.comAbout:
The Sycamore Fire Preservation Company, LTD. is a not-for-profit corporation organized to provide education to the general public in all aspects of the history of fire fighting in the city of Sycamore. The SFPC shared the history of the Sycamore Fire Department and restored the Sycamore Fire Department’s first motorized fire engine, a 1923 Stutz.Waterman Area Heritage Society
Location:
180 W. Lincoln Hwy.Waterman, IL 60556
Phone:
(815) 264-3461Website:
https://www.facebook.com/Waterman-Area-Heritage-Society-115596258463791/Hours:
Saturday: 1 pm - 3 pmAbout:
The Waterman Area Heritage Society features exhibits of the John Kitner Barber Shop, telephone exhibit, and a hair wreath.Pick Museum of Anthroplogy
Location:
Cole Hall 114 / NIUDeKalb, IL 60115
Phone:
(815)753-2520Website:
https://www.niu.edu/clas/pick-museum/Hours:
Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.About:
The museum serves as a teaching museum for the university, providing opportunities for students and faculty to conduct collections research, co-curate exhibitions and enrich curriculum with object-based learning. Special exhibitions promote cultural awareness and solidarity in support of global social justice. Programs and events invite campus and community audiences to explore human and cultural diversity with the museum.DeKalb Area Women's Center
Location:
1021 State StDeKalb, IL 60115