History

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Explore the Skokie Heritage Museum and Skokie’s original 1847 Log Cabin through all-age programming offered by the Skokie Park District, including crafts, field trips, and summer camps –– and for adults –– beer, wine and painting events.

Other programs include Devonshire Playhouse shows at the Log Cabin, and free self-guided bike and walking tours.  

The two sites are also home to permanent and temporary exhibits, the Skokie Historical Society and the museum archives.

info-icon2 Emily England at eengland@skokieparks.org

The Skokie Historical Society assists in the maintenance, preservation and presentation of the 1982.005.010historical artifacts that reside at the Skokie Heritage Museum and online.

For information about the Skokie Historical Society, call (847) 674-1500, ext. 3000.

Museum Tour

Tour the Skokie Heritage Museum and learn about the Village of Skokie’s founding. The tour includes a look at the building as it was when it served as Skokie’s first firehouse and jail. Get a behind-the-scenes look at our collection of artifacts, including old yearbooks and photos. Behind the museum, experience pioneer life in an original 1847 Skokie log cabin.
Museum Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
9/18
3:00 pm- 4:00 pm
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$5.00 / $5.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register
Museum Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
10/5
11:00 am-12:00 pm
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$5.00 / $5.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register
Museum Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
11/5
5:00 pm- 6:00 pm
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$5.00 / $5.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register
Museum Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
12/4
4:00 pm- 5:00 pm
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$5.00 / $5.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register

Indigenous Peoples' Celebration

Loosely structured as a three-part magic act, Ernest M. Whiteman III (Northern Arapaho) discusses media representations of Native Americans through time and how this informs our perceptions of Native American peoples and issues. Event is free to attend and light refreshments will be provided.
No One Ever Sees Indians: Native Americans in Media
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
10/12
2:00 pm- 3:00 pm
AGES
3 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$0.00 / $0.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register

Grandma's Favorite Dishcloth

Get ready for all those dirty holiday dishes by learning how to knit your own dishcloth. This ideal beginner project will teach you to cast on, knit, yarn over, k2tog, and cast off. Materials included.
Grandma's Favorite Dishcloth
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
11/9
1:00 pm- 4:00 pm
AGES
8 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$40.00 / $50.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register

You'd Butter Believe It!

Whip up some homemade butter the old-fashioned way and then experiment with adding honey, garlic, miso, and other flavors in preparation for Thanksgiving. While the butter forms, learn about the butter wars and a 1960s smuggling scheme led by Wisconsin housewives desperate for Illinois margarine.
You'd Butter Believe It!
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
11/26
5:30 pm- 6:30 pm
AGES
8 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$12.00 / $15.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register

Murder and Mayhem in Skokie Walking Tour

Listen to spine-tingling and sometimes silly stories of murder and mayhem in Skokie. Explore downtown and learn about the ghosts of Skokie’s past, including a serial arsonist, the attempted murder of Skokie’s founding father, local ties to infamous gangsters, and some eccentric small-town emergencies.
Murder and Mayhem in Skokie Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
10/29
5:30 pm- 7:00 pm
AGES
12 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$10.00 / $10.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register
Murder and Mayhem in Skokie Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
10/31
5:30 pm- 7:00 pm
AGES
12 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$10.00 / $10.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register

Firehouse Winterfest

Prepare for the holiday season by making your own candles, garlands, and other vintage holiday crafts while enjoying hot chocolate and listening to holiday carolers in our historic firehouse.
Firehouse Winterfest
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
12/16
5:30 pm- 7:00 pm
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$15.00 / $20.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register

Cold War and Civil Rights in Skokie Walking Tour

Meet in the Devonshire Park gazebo to learn about the site’s past as a Cold War military base, and then set off through the Devonshire Manor neighborhood to discover Skokie’s Cold War-era history. The tour will cover the development of Skokie’s Jewish community, mid-century modern design, the evolution of the nuclear family and second-wave feminism, and the 1960s civil rights and fair housing movements in Skokie.
Cold War and Civil Rights in Skokie Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
9/10
4:00 pm- 6:00 pm
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Devonshire Park
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$10.00 / $10.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register
Cold War and Civil Rights in Skokie Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
9/21
10:00 am-12:00 pm
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Devonshire Park
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$10.00 / $10.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register
Cold War and Civil Rights in Skokie Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
10/9
10:00 am-12:00 pm
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Devonshire Park
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$10.00 / $10.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register

Rise of the Bungalow Walking Tour

Learn about bungalow architecture and how the design reflects shifting societal values in the early 1900s, inspired in part by Jane Addams’ Hull-House reformers and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie School. This will be a casual stroll with frequent stops to look at building exteriors around the Lorel Park area.
Rise of the Bungalow Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
9/24
1:00 pm- 3:00 pm
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$10.00 / $10.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register
Rise of the Bungalow Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
9/28
10:00 am-12:00 pm
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$10.00 / $10.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register
Rise of the Bungalow Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
10/12
10:00 am-12:00 pm
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$10.00 / $10.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register

History Slam: Local Houses Edition

Join us for a drink, snacks, and a series of crowd-sourced lightning talks about the coolest houses in the area. Vote for your favorite house and presenter; winners will receive a prize. Please sign up as a presenter if you’d like to share what makes your favorite local house special - otherwise, please register as general audience.
General Audience
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
11/21
5:30 pm- 7:00 pm
AGES
21 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$12.00 / $15.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register
Presenter
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
11/21
5:30 pm- 7:00 pm
AGES
21 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$10.00 / $12.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register

Victorian Garden Party

Party like it’s 1900! Play croquet and other popular Victorian-age garden party games on the lawn. Enjoy light refreshments, crafts, and other activities in the museum.
Victorian Garden Party
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
9/21
1:00 pm- 2:30 pm
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$10.00 / $12.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register
Victorian Garden Party
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
9/21
2:30 pm- 4:00 pm
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$10.00 / $12.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register

Log Cabin Story Time

Explore an original log cabin from 1847, listen to storybook tales on the lawn, and then make a themed craft with your tot. Price is per toddler. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Log Cabin Story Time
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
9/5
11:00 am-12:00 pm
AGES
2 - 5
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$5.00 / $5.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register

U.S. History Book Club

Discover U.S. history through our curated selection of texts and discuss how the past, and our perceptions of it, inform our present-day. The first half-hour is optional to attend and will summarize and contextualize the selected text (ideal for participants who didn’t read the book or want a refresher). We will discuss the selected text from 6-7 p.m. and end with an optional half-hour of social time. Light refreshments provided.
U.S. Constitution and Other Founding Documents
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
10/16
5:30 pm- 7:30 pm
AGES
16 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$8.00 / $10.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register
The Rediscovery of America by Ned Blackhawk
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
11/20
5:30 pm- 7:30 pm
AGES
16 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$8.00 / $10.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
12/18
5:30 pm- 7:30 pm
AGES
16 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$8.00 / $10.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register

Historic Downtown Skokie Walking Tour

Learn about the historic buildings, people, and events that made Skokie what it is today through this in-depth guided tour of historic downtown Skokie. This will be a casually-paced walk with stops throughout the downtown area.
Historic Downtown Skokie Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
9/14
10:00 am-12:00 pm
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$10.00 / $10.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register
Historic Downtown Skokie Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
9/18
12:30 pm- 2:30 pm
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$10.00 / $10.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register
VIRTUAL: Historic Downtown Skokie Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
12/11
5:30 pm- 7:00 pm
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$10.00 / $10.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register

Haunted Heritage: Cemetery Walking Tour

Just in time for Halloween, get spooky with a tour of the St. Peter's UCC Cemetery (8530 Harms Rd.), featuring some of Skokie’s local legends! Pick up your ghost guide at the cemetery’s entrance on Harms Rd. and set off among the tombstones to meet our friendly graveyard ghosts and hear their stories about Skokie's early days.
Haunted Heritage: Cemetery Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
10/26
10:00 am-11:00 am
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$10.00 / $10.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register
Haunted Heritage: Cemetery Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
10/26
10:15 am-11:15 am
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$10.00 / $10.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register
Haunted Heritage: Cemetery Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
10/26
10:30 am-11:30 am
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$10.00 / $10.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register
Haunted Heritage: Cemetery Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
10/26
10:45 am-11:45 am
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$10.00 / $10.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register
Haunted Heritage: Cemetery Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
10/26
11:00 am-12:00 pm
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$10.00 / $10.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register

Log Cabin Story Time
Log Cabin Story Time
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
8/15
11:00 am-12:00 pm
AGES
2 - 5
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$5.00 / $5.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register

Museum Tour
Museum Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
8/3
11:00 am-12:00 pm
AGES
5 - 105
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$5.00 / $5.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register

Rag Rug-Style Coasters Workshop

Learn how the pioneers made their famous rag rugs as you weave your own set of rustic coasters. Reduce, reuse, and recycle fabric with this technique to create any number of simple, yet durable and colorful projects. Materials included. Instructor: Alison Selivon.
Rag Rug-Style Coasters Workshop
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
8/17
1:00 pm- 3:00 pm
AGES
7 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$40.00 / $50.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register

Historic Downtown Skokie Walking Tour
Historic Downtown Skokie Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
8/24
10:30 am-11:30 am
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$5.00 / $5.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register
Historic Downtown Skokie Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
8/25
10:30 am-11:30 am
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$5.00 / $5.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register


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