Evanston History Center

Masks are still required for entry to the museum.

Walking Tours

AUGUST 6 Walking Tour – SOLD OUT

The Evanston History Center offers lively docent-led walking tours of Evanston neighborhoods, downtown, and the lakefront. The tours provide fun and fascinating insights into the history of Evanston, its architecture, and the cultural landscape.

Click to view the 2022 tours, including three NEW tours exploring Evanston’s Prairie School architecture!

EHC’s Newest Column in the
Evanston Roundtable

The Evanston History Center is happy to partner with the Evanston RoundTable to share the insights that our expansive collection of Evanston history provides. Click here to read the newest column: “Double Prairie House on Ridge.”

Become a Member

Become a Member
There has never been a more exciting time to join a vibrant community that enjoys and takes pride in, Evanston’s rich history. With your membership, you also support the Evanston History Center’s mission to collect, preserve and share the history of our community for generations to come.

The EHC is a Blue Star Museum

The EHC will join thousands of museums across the country in offering free admission to active-duty military personnel and their families. The program runs from May 21-September 5, 2022. Click to learn more.

Events Calendar

	August 2022
	1	2	3	4	5	6 SOLD OUT - Prairie School #2 - North Evanston Walking Tour SOLD OUT - Prairie School #2 - North Evanston Walking Tour August 6, 2022 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Quinlan Park – the Intersection of Lincoln Street, Elm Street and Pioneer THIS TOUR IS SOLD OUT Prairie School #2 – North Evanston – August 6, 2022 *This tour meets at Quinlan Park – the Intersection of Lincoln Street, Elm Street and Pioneer* Beginning in the park across from Dwight Perkins’ own home and Robert Spencer’s “dollhouses,” the tour also includes examples of Frank Lloyd Wright and Evanston native son Thomas Tallmadge. View their avant-garde designs and learn about their relationships to Evanston. Location Most tours, unless otherwise stated, meet at the Evanston History Center, 225 Greenwood Street, Evanston. Please be sure to confirm the location of the start of the tour. Hours Tours vary and are occasionally repeated. Tours begin at 11:00 AM and last for 90 minutes. Admission The cost is $20 per person/$15 for members unless otherwise stated. Contactless payment is required when registering for a tour. Prairie School package: $50, $40 for members. Reservations and payments must be made in advance. RSVP to Kris Hartzell, or 847-475-3410. There is a limit of 20 guests per tour. We do reserve the right to cancel due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. Parking Free street parking is available on Greenwood Street. See more details SOLD OUT - Prairie School #2 - North Evanston Walking Tour Starts: 11:00 am Ends: August 6, 2022 - 12:30 pm Location: Quinlan Park – the Intersection of Lincoln Street, Elm Street and Pioneer Description: THIS TOUR IS SOLD OUT Prairie School #2 – North Evanston – August 6, 2022 *This tour meets at Quinlan Park – the Intersection of Lincoln Street, Elm Street and Pioneer* Beginning in the park across from Dwight Perkins’ own home and Robert Spencer’s “dollhouses,” the tour also includes examples of Frank Lloyd Wright and Evanston native son Thomas Tallmadge. View their avant-garde designs and learn about their relationships to Evanston. Location Most tours, unless otherwise stated, meet at the Evanston History Center, 225 Greenwood Street, Evanston. Please be sure to confirm the location of the start of the tour. Hours Tours vary and are occasionally repeated. Tours begin at 11:00 AM and last for 90 minutes. Admission The cost is $20 per person/$15 for members unless otherwise stated. Contactless payment is required when registering for a tour. Prairie School package: $50, $40 for members. Reservations and payments must be made in advance. RSVP to Kris Hartzell, or 847-475-3410. There is a limit of 20 guests per tour. We do reserve the right to cancel due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. Parking Free street parking is available on Greenwood Street. More details... •
7	8	9	10	11	12	13
14	15	16	17	18	19	20 Evanston Brick by Brick Walking Tour Evanston Brick by Brick Walking Tour August 20, 2022 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Hinman Ave & Main St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA Evanston Brick by Brick - August 20, 2022 This tour meets at the corner of Hinman Avenue and Main Street An exploration of the beautiful materials to compose Evanston's remarkable architecture. Observe how the colors, textures, and patterns of building materials such as stone, terra cotta, brick, and tile enhance the design of a building. Location Most tours, unless otherwise stated, meet at the Evanston History Center, 225 Greenwood Street, Evanston. Please be sure to confirm the location of the start of the tour. Hours Tours vary and are occasionally repeated. Tours begin at 11:00 AM and last for 90 minutes. Admission The cost is $20 per person/$15 for members unless otherwise stated. Contactless payment is required when registering for a tour. Prairie School package: $50, $40 for members. Reservations and payments must be made in advance. RSVP to Kris Hartzell, or 847-475-3410. There is a limit of 20 guests per tour. We do reserve the right to cancel due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. Parking Free street parking is available on Greenwood Street. See more details Evanston Brick by Brick Walking Tour Starts: 11:00 am Ends: August 20, 2022 - 12:30 pm Location: Hinman Ave & Main St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA Description: Evanston Brick by Brick - August 20, 2022 This tour meets at the corner of Hinman Avenue and Main Street An exploration of the beautiful materials to compose Evanston's remarkable architecture. Observe how the colors, textures, and patterns of building materials such as stone, terra cotta, brick, and tile enhance the design of a building. Location Most tours, unless otherwise stated, meet at the Evanston History Center, 225 Greenwood Street, Evanston. Please be sure to confirm the location of the start of the tour. Hours Tours vary and are occasionally repeated. Tours begin at 11:00 AM and last for 90 minutes. Admission The cost is $20 per person/$15 for members unless otherwise stated. Contactless payment is required when registering for a tour. Prairie School package: $50, $40 for members. Reservations and payments must be made in advance. RSVP to Kris Hartzell, or 847-475-3410. There is a limit of 20 guests per tour. We do reserve the right to cancel due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. Parking Free street parking is available on Greenwood Street. More details... •
21	22	23	24	25	26	27
28	29	30	31

Visit Us!

Hours:

Evanston History Center is open for tours
Thursday – Sunday at 1, 2 & 3 pm.

Evanston History Research Room is open
Tuesday – Thursday & Saturday from 1- 4 pm.

View Toward the Future: The Capital Campaign

History is alive at the Dawes House. Each year, thousands come to explore the questions history provokes, feel the excitement of discovery, and experience the thrill of examining artifacts and reading directly from original documents.

All of us who care about preserving Evanston’s history have the opportunity to safeguard one of our most visible and important artifacts, the Dawes House. The Capital Campaign will ensure that, with your help.

Click here to learn why it’s a good idea to give, or click here to donate now.