The museum is free and a nice place to stop in if you have kids and are walking around downtown…read moreWheaton. They have a charming train display on the lower level that children tend to love! The main floor focuses on local Illinois history. It's a small place, and the upper level is currently under construction, but being free makes it well worthwhile even as they spruce things up.

All of you that took pictures inside should be ashamed of yourselves. It's clearly posted…read morethroughout, now go sit in the corner for 10 minutes and reflect on your rebellious nature. Ok, so first of all it's free. But, you can make donations ($4 is "suggested") I like places like this and was happy to make a donation. The building is cool, it was built by John Quincy Adams (distant relative to the former President) as a Library, he lived across the street and gifted this wonderful building to the community. Why only 3 stars you ask? I wanted to click 4 stars.. but when it said "Yay! I'm a fan." I just couldn't. I'm glad that I went once, but that was enough. Many of the displays are specific to only a few families that have made extensive donations of items, this is cool except that I was looking for more specific information on the formation of the towns throughout the county. Also, maybe some juicy gossip.. like the stuff about the how Wheaton became the County Seat.. or how the towns were named.. etc.. and maybe some founder's pictures. The first room on the left is the main exhibit (and to me most interesting) There are some nice period pieces of clothing and family pictures. Quite a bit of information about the trains (and the stations and architects) that run through DuPage County and the Illinois Prairie Path that took some of their places. I spent the most time in this room. It's easy to walk by, but when you first enter the museum, on the right is a display about the building worth looking at.. pictures of the museum going back to the horse and buggy days.. almost missed that because we were engaged with the people at the desk right away. (very friendly) I didn't get the train exhibit in the basement, it was operational (push the button) on the day we were there and held our interest for all of a few moments.. I think you have to know and understand about these things. I was distracted by the placement of the buildings/locations in relation to the tracks, things were out of whack. I know it's supposed to be impressive.. but I was kind of "meh" The second floor used to have a stage and seating. That's been removed but the room is still attractive with it's tall ceiling. It's worth a visit, but I wouldn't plan a day around it.

A nice short trip from the city with family friendly atmosphere. Walking grounds, gardens and…read moremuseum to check out.

Loved the theme of "Wicked" for the experience! Listening to the music from the movies and the…read morechoreographed displays while walking thru the park was breathtaking! Add the smell of fires burning, the fresh snow, and the laughter of children - and i was transported to my childhood in MN. My only feedback was that there were areas that didn't get cleared, so they were inaccessible to the public. As they were listed in the attraction, I was disappointed to not be able to experience them. Especially when there was nothing at the beginning letting us know that parts were closed.

I wish I could give the Wade Center 10 stars on Yelp! It's an over-the-top experience to visit and…read moreget a full tour if you're a CS Lewis and/or JRR Tolkien fan! This museum and library is located right on the Wheaton College campus. Currently (September 2022), a meditation garden is being landscaped outside of the back exit, the design of which is inspired by "The Hobbit." My hubby and I have taken so many out-of-town guests here, and recently some local relatives who had never been! Each time I join a tour, I learn something new. The tour guides and staff are so learned!

I heard about this place through Roadside America and am so glad I went. It was amazing to see…read moreTolkien's desk (on which The Hobbit and parts of the Silmarillion were written), C.S. Lewis's desk, and his wardrobe... yes, THAT wardrobe. The staff are so friendly and were kind enough to take pictures of me with the objects. No admission cost!

This free, educational museum was a fun way for me family and me to spend an afternoon. Miss Grace…read moreis a personable, knowledgeable, and inspired interest in the exhibits. The model train set was an unexpected bonus!

Free, educational and fun. Great seasonal programs. A working blacksmith shop and a quaint little…read morestore. Lots to see and enjoy. Nearby Main st. offers good dining options

We came to view the Hokusai & Ukiyo-E: The Floating World exhibit at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art…read moreat the College of DuPage. Ukiyo-e means "pictures of the floating world," and this art style features scenes from everyday 17th - 19th-century Japan, like entertainment, kabuki, geisha, etc. This style had an impact on the Impressionists like Van Gogh. This exhibition has the debut of the Chiossone Collection, 53 paintings and woodblock prints of ukiyo-e. Prior to this exhibit, the only ukiyo-e artwork that I would have been familiar with is the famous "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" by Hokusai. But this exhibit "rides the wave," creating an immersive and multifaceted experience. Not only do you learn about other artists and their works, you can see original paintings and prints, walk-through an Edo-era street, visit an immersive manga/anime exhibit in "2D", make your own print, visit a garden and more. It was a little confusing how to enter the the historical exhibit (we weren't the only ones), but the info is presented in a very approachable way. That Hokusai, what a character -- He changed his name 30 times, He hated to clean so when his living quarters were messy -- he moved -- 93 times! The manga/anime exhibit was very fun -- with the 2D artwork panels created by the 2D restauranteurs. I was also impressed by the many events planned throughout DuPage county -- so many towns participating. The gift shop items were great! The only thing -- we came on a weekday and only ramen and hotdogs were available -- other items available on the weekend. In any case, I was quite impressed with the exhibit -- and I would recommend it for all ages.

I've been here many times through the years for exhibitions. Andy Warhol, Frieda. This one was…read moreHokusai. Beautifully curated display. Many interactive stations. After each area, you stamped a booklet that corresponds with the art displayed. The staff are knowledgeable & friendly. We came on a Wednesday after 2:30 and the price was discounted.

We went to the museum expecting to see a few old photos and not much else. Instead we stepped…read moreseemingly back in time to an immersive experience of a founding Downers Grove family. The curator clearly pours her heart and soul into curating every aspect of the museum, from the objects in the house to information about the people who walked its walls. We even walked through the cellar where the family hid people for the Underground Railroad. The long history of the house is imbued with mysteries and surprising details about how people used to live... paintings hidden in the walls, a wife's letters kept from past suitors, a wreath of faux flowers made from feathers... we were absolutely floored. We spent over an hour learning so much about American history through the prism of this fascinating house. Bravo!

An interesting local museum with about half a Victorian house on display; special exhibits in the…read morebarn; and another building visible only from the outside. Small wildflower walk. It's free (donations happily accepted). This was perhaps a stop on the underground railroad, though there's no proof. Visit is on your own, and a couple of rooms are given over to administrative purposes. Check out a small selection of items that are marked "please touch" (notably some items in the kitchen, such as the irons heated on the stove during the period; a period corset; etc.). The stereopticons (they have 2) are not included in "please touch" and are positioned so you can't actually use them, which is frustrating (hoping they'll buy a stand). In a hallway upstairs are photos and capsule bios of some noted DG citizens; I had no idea noted Egyptologist Henry Breasted had a connection. Signage is somewhat lacking, though there are small cards in most rooms asking kids "can you find {list of items}?" which will help you find some things. The barn includes an early/midcentury fire truck lovingly restored, with displays on the 1976 Bicentennial painted fire hydrants; a beloved firefighter who dressed as a clown to teach kids about fire safety. The temporary exhibit on travel was interesting, and the staff was preparing for a "Victorian dinner." Overall, worth a look if you have an interest in local history or the lives and possessions of the Victorian well-to-do. Did I mention it's free?

This was such a blessing. We were so blessed to find out more about the evangelism movement in…read moreAmerica and find out the piece of the puzzle that relates to the gospel coming to Hawaii. The life of Billy Graham and his family is amazing. The thousands that they have reached is out of this world.

Had a church event here and to be honest, I was not really looking forward to it. Thought the…read moremuseum would be boring, something only old church ladies would enjoy. To my surprise, the place was very cool from the moment that you enter through the front door. You are greeted by these white giant pillars up a long flight of concrete stairs. The musuem is on Wheaton College's campus. I have never been but was greatly impressed with the size and design of the grounds. I did not know that Wheaton College was Billy Graham's alma matter and also the place where het met his wife. So very appropriate for it to be built here. Inside, there are different exhibits to showcase the periods of time that Billy Graham was involved in. Everything was very interesting and the layout of the museum just popped with information that made you want to keep learning even more. Enlarged pictures were part of the exhibits. They have this awesome room filled with clouds and mirrors which make you feel that you are just floating on air. It even messed with my head a little as i have a very slight fear of heights. For those with a Christian background or if you are just interested in learning about the Christian Faith, definitely explore this museum. Its actually pretty frickin cool.

This is one of those small museums only open part of the year. Summer of 2023 they're only open the…read moresecond and third Saturdays from May-September. There are about 10-11 rooms, and apparently each season they have a theme; this year's is "Vacations We Have Taken," so the rooms are full of souvenirs from various 1890-1920s destinations. This house museum is more modern than most of the others in the area; the kitchen downstairs is set to about 1941 (which is still a lot more primitive than I had expected). Most of the people living in the house were women; there is a lot of lacework (doilies; tatting framed on the wall; fancy edges on the tablecloth and towels) and some really lovely beaded purses laid out in the rooms upstairs (some in-progress beadwork is included in the upstairs sewing room). The bedrooms are completely roped off, so you'll get a better view of the other rooms which have at least some access. The house is renowned for its garden; apparently the West Chicago Garden Club was brought back into existence to bring it to its original glory, which they've certainly done. House is smack in a residential district, and there is parking with room for maybe 3 cars in the back (go up the narrow driveway and follow the sign).

The grounds are really pretty, unfortunately we didn't see the inside. We arrived after 11 on a…read moreSaturday when they stated they would be open, but the doors were locked. We walked around the grounds and enjoyed the view, tried the door again and left. We would have loved to go inside and see all that they had. Hopefully it was just a fluke that they weren't open.

Was in the area for dinner and walked around downtown which looked pretty deserted on a week night…read morebut this piece of history caught my eye.

From the owner: The Glen Ellyn Historical Society has dedicated itself to preserving and chronicling Glen Ellyn's…read morerich history. We maintain Stacy's Tavern Museum and sponsor many educational events and programs.