Information
Landmark: Evanston History CenterCity: Evanston
Country: USA Illinois
Continent: North America
Evanston History Center, Evanston, USA Illinois, North America
Overview
In Evanston, Illinois, the Evanston History Center keeps the city’s past alive, safeguarding old photographs, letters, and stories while sharing them with the community.Here’s a quick rundown-this place sits at 225 Greenwood Street in Evanston, Illinois 60201, a quiet block shaded by tall maples.The EHC sits inside the Dawes House, a stately brick mansion built in 1894 and recognized as a National Historic Landmark.Charles Gates Dawes once lived in this elegant mansion, its oak-paneled halls echoing his years as U. S. Vice President under Calvin Coolidge, ambassador to Great Britain, and Nobel Peace Prize winner.The Dawes House boasts 25 rooms, from a warm cherry-paneled library to a vaulted dining room with a musicians’ gallery, along with six bedrooms and a dozen fireplaces, all reflecting the elegance and skill of late 19th-century design.The Evanston History Center exists to keep the city’s story alive, safeguarding artifacts, hosting exhibits, offering educational programs, and opening doors to research-right down to the creak of a century-old floorboard.It seeks to draw people in, helping them grasp the city’s cultural heritage through the voices of its residents, the scent of old neighborhood bakeries, and the history of its long-standing institutions.At the Evanston History Center, you can explore the Dawes House on your own or join a docent who’ll point out details like the intricate woodwork along the grand staircase.You can visit Thursday through Sunday between 1 and 4 p.m., with docents kicking off tours at 1, 2, and 3.Step inside to wander exhibits that bring Evanston’s history to life, from old streetcar photos to vintage storefront signs.The Research Room is open Tuesday through Thursday and on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m., offering shelves of historical documents, faded photographs, old maps, and genealogical records tied to Evanston’s past.Non-members pay $10, while students, members, and local educators can walk in free of charge.House tours and exhibitions cost $10 for non-members, whether you’re wandering through the old oak-floored rooms or browsing the latest gallery display.Members get in free, as do kids under 12 and District 65 teachers who show an ID at the door.Non-members pay $10 to use the research room, while members and students walk in for free.Accessibility: Wheelchairs can easily enter and move around the Dawes House’s first floor, from the front door to the wide hallway inside.There’s a wheelchair ramp and lift, but only staff can run the lift-so if you’ll need help, it’s best to call ahead before you come.Current Exhibition: “Picturing Community: Stories in Photographs” features historical and modern images-like a faded portrait beside a vibrant street scene-that capture the rich, diverse story of Evanston.“Milestones and Memories” - a collection reflecting key moments in Evanston’s history.“A Crowded Life: Charles Gates Dawes” - exploring the life and legacy of the house’s original owner.“Milestones and Memories” captures pivotal moments in Evanston’s past, from the clang of old streetcars to the buzz of a summer fair.“reFashioning History” - an exhibit focusing on historical clothing and textiles in Evanston.“A Crowded Life: Charles Gates Dawes” takes you inside the story and lasting legacy of the home’s first owner, from the creak of its wooden floors to the mark he left on history.Coming soon: “50 Years of House Walk,” marking the EHC’s half-century tradition of its Mother’s Day tour and offering a rare look inside beautifully preserved historic homes.“reFashioning History” is an Evanston exhibit that explores vintage clothing and rich, time-worn textiles.Events and programs feature lively talks and lectures on history, civic life, and local issues-sometimes with the scent of fresh coffee drifting through the room.Evanston Architecture and History Walking Tours let you wander past brick facades and tree-lined streets while uncovering the city’s layered stories.Every year, the community comes together for events like the Mother’s Day House Walk, raising money and sparking interest in preserving its historic homes, some with weathered brick and ivy curling up the walls.Getting here’s easy-hop off the Purple Line at Dempster, just a half-mile stroll from the center, or catch Metra’s Union Pacific North at Main Street or Davis Street, each about nine-tenths of a mile away.You can park for free along Greenwood Street, just a short walk from the EHC, where the curb’s painted bright yellow near the corner.
