The Wilmette Historical Museum is dedicated to exploring, preserving, and sharing the lively history of Wilmette and its surroundings on the North Shore of Chicago. Located in a beautiful 1896 landmark building at 609 Ridge Road in Wilmette, the Museum is operated by the Wilmette Historical Society, a volunteer organization, and by the Village of Wilmette. If you or your family have a connection to this area, we encourage you to join the Society. Joining supports the work of the Museum and brings you many benefits.
This website is a good place to begin finding out more about both the Museum and this area's past. You can learn more about our programs, collections and exhibits. Here, too, you can find out about how to research local homes, families, and history.
Still, there is no substitute for a visit to the Museum itself to explore the building and exhibits, attend lively programs, use the research room, and talk with the staff. Come visit us soon! We are open Sunday through Thursday, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Upcoming Programs
Join us on Sunday, July 12 for an informative walking tour featuring homes designed by such Prairie School luminaries as Frank Lloyd Wright, John Van Bergen and William Drummond or stop by the Museum on Tuesday, July 14 for an evening of chess (all level players welcome, including beginners) led by professional chess trainer Shiva Jaharaj.
To learn more about these and other programs, please visit our Upcoming Programs page.
Test Your Knowledge of Wilmette Trivia!
So, which of these was not invented in Wilmette? White-Out correction fluid? Christmas tree Bubble Lights? or Girl Scout cookies? Learn the answer to this question and test your knowledge of little-known Wilmette facts by taking our Wilmette History Trivia Quiz.
Questions? Call us at (847)853-7666. Find our other contact information here.
Aerial view of Wilmette's lakefront, circa 1955. Wilmette Harbor, the Bahai Temple, the U.S. Coast Guard station and the North Shore Sanitary Channel are visible.