Elgin History Museum | Elgin

The Elgin History Museum is located at 360 Park Street, Elgin, Illinois, and serves as a central resource for exploring and preserving the city’s rich history. The museum is housed in the historically significant Old Main building, which dates back to 1856 and once belonged to the Elgin Academy. Designed in the Greek Revival style, Old Main is one of Elgin’s architectural treasures and was saved from demolition after a major fire in 1978 thanks to local preservation efforts.

Permanent Exhibits

The museum offers several permanent exhibitions that showcase Elgin’s industrial, cultural, and social heritage:

Elgin National Watch Company
This exhibit covers one of Elgin's most significant industries. Founded in 1864, the company became the largest manufacturer of fine watches in the world. The display includes original watches, tools, promotional materials, and stories of the workers who helped build the company’s legacy.

Elgin Road Races
Elgin was home to nationally known automobile road races during the early 1900s. The exhibit includes photographs, race programs, and memorabilia from events that attracted the best drivers and teams in the country.

Made in Elgin
This collection highlights Elgin's diverse manufacturing history beyond watches, featuring items like dairy equipment, kitchen appliances, and boat motors. It illustrates the city’s importance as a center for innovation and industry.

E. Maude and Carl Parlasca Native American Collection
This exhibit honors the indigenous peoples of the region through a collection of tools, pottery, garments, and other artifacts. It provides insight into the lifestyles and traditions of Native American communities who lived in the Fox River Valley.

Elgin 20th Century
A chronological exhibit tracing Elgin’s development through the 1900s. It includes information on the Great Depression, local responses to world wars, civil rights movements, and suburbanization.

Elgin Architecture
Focuses on the styles, materials, and cultural values that shaped Elgin's neighborhoods and commercial buildings. It includes information on landmark structures, as well as models and photos of Victorian homes and public buildings.

Educational Programs

The museum offers curriculum-based programs for schools, scouts, and families. These are designed to be interactive, hands-on, and aligned with Illinois state learning standards.

Programs include:

Bluff City Cemetery Tour (interpreting historic figures buried in the cemetery)

Watch Works (a simulation of factory work at the Elgin National Watch Company)

Old and New: Life in the Past to Today (comparative history for children)

Great Grandma’s Kitchen (a domestic history program about life 100 years ago)

Museum Store

The museum’s gift shop includes a curated selection of:

Books and DVDs on local history

Handmade jewelry

Prints and artwork

Decorative and gift items inspired by Elgin’s heritage

Visitor Information

Open Wednesday to Saturday, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Admission is $5 for adults. Free for children under 18, teachers with ID, and museum members

The building is wheelchair accessible via the rear entrance and includes an elevator to all floors

Guided tours are available for school groups and other organizations with prior arrangement

The Elgin History Museum is a valuable destination for anyone interested in local history, architecture, industry, or genealogy.