History Comes Alive! 4 Must See Living History Museums in Illinois

Civil War reenactment at Naper Settlement in Naperville, Illinois
Photo Courtesy Naper Settlement

Looking for some outdoor fun? It’s time to breathe fresh air at an outdoor living history museum. These aren’t your typical “museums”-they bring the past to life by reinventing historical buildings, places, and settings that you not only see but also touch, smell, and hear. From farmsteads to log villages to frontier outposts, each site has a unique story to tell. So pack up the family and plan an afternoon back in time--and in the great outdoors.

Historic Wagner Farm 
1510 Wagner Rd., Glenview, IL 60026
(847) 657-1506
glenviewparks.org/historicwagnerfarm 

Plan a trip to Historic Wagner Farm and find out if you have what it takes to be a farmer in the 1920s. Watch farmhands tend to this working organic farm using only farming practices and tools standard in the 1920s. Delve into the life of an early 20th-century farmer at the Heritage Center, tour the Wagner’s farmhouse and grounds, and chat with volunteers about the Wagner family and farm life. Many farm animals exist, but this is not a petting zoo. Check out Wagner Farm's interactive Silo Exhibit and go inside an actual farm silo.

GOOD TO KNOW: Aspiring veterinarians should check out Veterinarian Day on May 14. Watch and assist veterinarians in demonstrations and exhibits designed to give an inside look into veterinary medicine. Visit the website for details.

Admission is free, but special events may require entry fees and registration. Open Monday-Saturday: 9 am-5 pm, Sundays: 9 am-3 pm.
Distance from Chicago: 20 miles

Naper Settlement 
523 S. Webster St., Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 420-6010
napersettlement.org

Naperville was only sometimes the posh shopping mecca it is today. It actually began as a humble pioneer outpost over 200 years ago. Stroll the grounds and walk through a log cabin, farmhouse, schoolhouse, and other buildings and structures that show this city’s evolution. Stop and talk with costume volunteers who point out interesting facts. Did you know a blacksmith shop was yesterday’s hardware store? Younger kids will enjoy climbing, swinging, and sliding in The Playscape, which is included in the price of admission.

GOOD TO KNOW: Welcome Spring at the Maple Sugaring Spring Fever March 12 – 13. Old-fashioned maple tapping demonstrations, sweet treats, family-friendly activities, and maple-themed presentations throughout the park. Visit the website for more information.

Admission rates vary per season, and special events may require additional fees; Naperville residents receive free general admission with proof of residency. Open November - March Tuesday - Friday, 10 am-4 pm; April – October: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am-4 pm; Sunday, 1-4 pm
Distance from Chicago: 28 miles

Kline Creek Farm
1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago, IL 60185
(630) 876-5900
dupageforest.com/klinecreekfarm 

Give kids a glimpse of 1890s farm life at this working history farm. Explore an array of 19th-century seasonal farm activities, including baking, canning, harvesting, and even sheep shearing. Tour a historic farmhouse. Watch costumed interpreters work about the farm. Meander through the heirloom garden where various fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers commonly found in the 1890s grow. Bring a snack and enjoy a picnic.

GOOD TO KNOW:  Want to be a farmer for a day? Check out Spring Break Spruce-Up on March 28, 31, and April 1. Feed lambs, tend to the garden, and care for farm animals. Check the website for more information.

Admission is free, but special events may require entry fees and registration. Open: Thursday – Monday, 9am to 5pm; Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
Distance from Chicago: 35 miles

Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site

15588 History Lane, Petersburg, Illinois 62675
(217) 632-4000
lincolnsnewsalem.com

Walk in the footsteps of Abraham Lincoln in this reconstructed 1830s log village. Grab a village map from the visitor center before heading out on a self-guided tour. There are over 20 furnished buildings, including log cabin homes, a tavern, a mill, shops, and a school. From April through October, friendly, costumed interpreters share stories about the town’s famous residents and the adults and children, who lived, worked, learned, and played here. Grab a bite at the onsite café or pack a picnic. An average village tour takes between 2 to 4 hours.

GOOD TO KNOW: If you’re outdoorsy, there is onsite camping and 5 miles of trails to hike. Avoid the weekday field trip crowds.

Admission is free, but donations are suggested. Open Wednesday – Sunday, 9 am to 4pm
Distance from Chicago: 200 miles


Maribeth Pjosek-Durkin contributed this article to Chicago Parent/Going Places: History Comes Alive!

Please check the websites for the latest information.