MUSEUM EVENTS
A fundraiser for the St. Charles History Museum 5/1/2024 @ 6PM. Rock ‘N Ravioli at the Arcada Theatre, St. Charles.
Board of Directors meeting held at the St. Charles History Museum on the third Thursday of every month at 5:00pm
Join the St. Charles History Museum as we host the Paddlewheel Riverboat Cruise of the Fox River the last Sunday of the month from May through October. The St. Charles History Museum will be your docent presenting a different subject each month as we cruise the scenic Fox River.
Tours are 45 minutes long and depart at:
12:30pm
1:45pm
3:00pm
Please click this LINK to purchase your tickets today!
Board of Directors meeting held at the St. Charles History Museum on the third Thursday of every month at 5:00pm
Join the St. Charles History Museum as we host the Paddlewheel Riverboat Cruise of the Fox River the last Sunday of the month from May through October. The St. Charles History Museum will be your docent presenting a different subject each month as we cruise the scenic Fox River.
Tours are 45 minutes long and depart at:
12:30pm
1:45pm
3:00pm
Please click this LINK to purchase your tickets today!
Board of Directors meeting held at the St. Charles History Museum on the third Thursday of every month at 5:00pm
Join the St. Charles History Museum as we host the Paddlewheel Riverboat Cruise of the Fox River the last Sunday of the month from May through October. The St. Charles History Museum will be your docent presenting a different subject each month as we cruise the scenic Fox River.
Tours are 45 minutes long and depart at:
12:30pm
1:45pm
3:00pm
Please click this LINK to purchase your tickets today!
Board of Directors meeting held at the St. Charles History Museum on the third Thursday of every month at 5:00pm
Join the St. Charles History Museum as we host the Paddlewheel Riverboat Cruise of the Fox River the last Sunday of the month from May through October. The St. Charles History Museum will be your docent presenting a different subject each month as we cruise the scenic Fox River.
Tours are 45 minutes long and depart at:
12:30pm
1:45pm
3:00pm
Please click this LINK to purchase your tickets today!
The St. Charles History Museum is thrilled to announce a special addition to this year’s Jazz Weekend lineup. On Saturday, September 14th, from 3 PM to 5 PM, the museum grounds will come alive with the vibrant sounds of jazz, offering a free outdoor concert to the public. This event promises to be a highlight of the Jazz Weekend, held from Thursday, September 12th through Sunday, September 15th across various venues in St. Charles.
We will also draw the winning ticket in our AMAZING Mexico Vacation raffle immediately after the show. Please stop by the museum to pick up your raffle tickets before 5 PM on 9/14. Tickets are $25 each or 5/$100 — all proceeds benefit the Museum!
The museum, known for preserving and showcasing the rich history of St. Charles, will host an afternoon of dynamic jazz music, featuring a soon-to-be-announced performer. This outdoor event is designed to bring the community together through the universal language of music, providing a perfect setting for jazz enthusiasts and families alike to enjoy an afternoon of quality entertainment.
Event Details:
- Date: Saturday, September 14th
- Time: 3 PM to 5 PM
- Location: St. Charles History Museum, 215 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL 60174
- Admission: Free
- Performer: To be determined
The event is scheduled to take place outdoors, allowing guests to enjoy the music in a beautiful and comfortable setting. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets to enhance their experience. The museum’s outdoor area provides a picturesque backdrop for the captivating sounds of jazz that will fill the air.
“We are excited to be a part of Jazz Weekend in St. Charles and to offer this unique event to the community,” said Alex Cullum, Executive Director of the St. Charles History Museum. “Jazz has a timeless appeal, and we can’t wait to see everyone enjoying the music, learning a bit about our city’s history, and maybe even dancing a little. It’s going to be a fantastic afternoon for all ages.”
St. Charles Jazz Weekend is a celebrated event that showcases the best of jazz music through various performances and activities. The inclusion of the St. Charles History Museum as a venue adds a cultural and historical dimension to the festival, inviting attendees to explore the connections between music and the city’s past.
For more information about this event, including updates on the performer and other Jazz Weekend activities, please visit http:/stcmuseum.org or follow us on social media @StCharlesHistoryMuseum
About the St. Charles History Museum:
The St. Charles History Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of St. Charles. Through its collections, exhibitions, and educational programs, the museum aims to inspire a sense of community and a deeper understanding of our shared heritage.
Contact:
Alexander Cullum
Executive Director
St. Charles History Museum
alex.cullum@stcmuseum.org
630-584-6967
Board of Directors meeting held at the St. Charles History Museum on the third Thursday of every month at 5:00pm
Join the St. Charles History Museum as we host the Paddlewheel Riverboat Cruise of the Fox River the last Sunday of the month from May through October. The St. Charles History Museum will be your docent presenting a different subject each month as we cruise the scenic Fox River.
Tours are 45 minutes long and depart at:
12:30pm
1:45pm
3:00pm
Please click this LINK to purchase your tickets today!
Join us for some fun and history at the St. Charles History Museum. We are excited to be a part of the 39th Annual St. Charles Scarecrow Festival. This unique and memorable event will held Friday, October 11th through Sunday, October 13th. The city will be alive with music, treats, family fun, and of course, scarecrows!
With over 100 handmade scarecrows being showcased during the festival, you’ll have the chance to visit, view, and vote on your favorites while strolling through beautiful downtown St. Charles.
We hope you’ll come by the museum for some more family-friendly fun. See you there!
Board of Directors meeting held at the St. Charles History Museum on the third Thursday of every month at 5:00pm
Join the St. Charles History Museum as we host the Paddlewheel Riverboat Cruise of the Fox River the last Sunday of the month from May through October. The St. Charles History Museum will be your docent presenting a different subject each month as we cruise the scenic Fox River.
Tours are 45 minutes long and depart at:
12:30pm
1:45pm
3:00pm
Please click this LINK to purchase your tickets today!
Board of Directors meeting held at the St. Charles History Museum on the third Thursday of every month at 5:00pm
The St. Charles History Museum will be closed on Sunday, March 31st in observance of Easter
Board of Directors meeting held at the St. Charles History Museum on the third Thursday of every month at 5:00pm.
Back by popular demand, the St. Charles History Museum is holding a festive Holiday Gala Fundraiser on December 08, 2023, at the St. Charles Country Club. This event is open to the public. Seating is limited. The Holiday Gala Fundraiser will celebrate the theme “It’s A Wonderful Life In St. Charles – Our 90th Anniversary” and include a cocktail reception, cash bar, three-course meal, and more. Festive holiday attire is requested. Complimentary valet service and coat check will be provided.
🎵🕰️ Step back in time at "Vintage Vibe" - An unforgettable history museum event at the iconic Hotel Baker! 🏰 Join us on September 14, 2023, at 6:00 pm for a night of live music, a delightful light dinner, cash bar, and exclusive tours of this historic gem. 🎷🍽️
🎟️ Tickets: $60 each | Members: $55 📅 Save the date and secure your spot now! [Ticket link] 📍 Hotel Baker, St. Charles, IL
Hotel Baker, built in 1928 by Col. Edward J. Baker, holds a special place in history as a National Register of Historic Places treasure. 🏛️ Immerse yourself in the charm of the '20s, reliving the glory of this remarkable era.
Don't miss this enchanting celebration of history and culture! 🎩✨ Limited tickets available. Grab yours today!
Free museum admission, sidewalk sale, and free live jazz concert to celebrate 90th Anniversary of the museum. The St. Charles History Museum is excited to announce a special Jazz Weekend day on September 9, 2023, filled with music, history, and community spirit. In celebration of the Museum’s 90th Anniversary and the vibrant jazz culture in St. Charles, Illinois, the museum is offering FREE admission to all visitors and a unique sidewalk sale at The Curious Fox gift shop.
Take a walking tour of downtown St. Charles this Saturday - 3 times available: 9 AM, 11 AM, and 1 PM. Space is limited, reserve today!
The St. Charles History Museum is excited to announce the opening of its newest exhibit, "(Almost) Another Century of Progress: St. Charles and the 1933 World’s Fair." This immersive exhibit takes visitors back to the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago, highlighting St. Charles’s significant role in this historic event. The exhibit will open on June 1, 2023, and will run through the end of the year.
A fundraiser for the St. Charles History Museum 5/3/2023 @ 6PM. Rock ‘N Ravioli at the Arcada Theatre, St. Charles.
Our VIP Spring Event for 2023 is on Sunday, April 23rd from 4-6 p.m. at the museum. The format is the same; a social time (outside if the weather is nice) with wine/beer and appetizers for the first hour, and then inside for the program. Our speaker is Dr. Dale Simpson, Jr., an archeology professor at College of DuPage. The program title is "The Ancient Past of St. Charles:13,000 years of human habitation" and Dr. Dale will discuss the history of St. Charles and some related artifacts from our museum collection which will be on display that day. It should be a fascinating program!
presented by Karen Hall, former Executive Director of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society
Sunday, February 12, 2023
1 p.m.
St. Charles Public Library
Upstairs Carnegie Room
Thanks to the generous underwriting of McNally’s Heating and Cooling,
Spiritualism is a movement that began during the middle part of the 19th century during what is historically called the "Third Great Awakening." The Great Awakenings, as they are called in United States History, were a series of religious revivals which introduced new religions and new teachings on theology.
Grief is a key factor in Spiritualism. The movement concerns itself with the idea that the energy within a human, the "spirit," continues to live on after death within a different plane of existence. Spiritualists believe that the spirits of humans may continue to emotionally grow in the afterlife and may be able to grant a greater knowledge about human issues to those still living. While Spiritualists believe that these spirits can be contacted by anyone, the use of a medium is often integral in receiving more in-depth communication. ” Persons who practiced spiritualism and members of Christian churches weren’t necessarily mutually exclusive groups. What identified spiritualists among spiritual persons and persons of tradition religious faith was spiritual communication along with individualism (no organized body of the faithful) and claims to science, empiricism, and public knowledge (anyone can try it and test if it works).”
Spiritualists often cite 1848 as the year of the movement’s inception with the Fox Sisters often being credited as the pioneers of Spiritualism. While New York, and the East were the cradles of Spiritualism, Chicago reigned supreme over other Western cities and states in its belief. From there it had spread its influence on other enclaves and towns around the city, including the City of St. Charles, Illinois. It is almost natural that Spiritualism had strong acceptance within the town. Much of the area was inhibited by former radical New Englanders who kept in touch with the far away happening of the eastern United States. While it is unknown how Spiritualism arrived in St. Charles, it likely spread in the early 1850s. By the end of the decade St. Charles and surrounding areas such as Wayne Station and Campton became a haven for Spiritualists to practice their beliefs. One of the great Spiritualists, Andrew Jackson Davis would lecture in St. Charles in 1858and 1859, some calling him “the best ever spoken in the Universalist Church,” all but cementing the town as a hotbed of Spiritualists. The spread of the movement in town can be attributed to the congregation of the Universalist Church. It should be noted that the Universalist Church in St. Charles was typically thought of as the first Universalist Church in Illinois and had a very active membership. As members slipped into Spiritualism an agreement was made to share the church meeting space. By 1868 there were 157 residents registered with the local St. Charles Religio-Philosophical Society. By the 1870s the Spiritualists outnumbered the Universalists at their church, who had only 11 remaining members.
Our exhibit introduces you to the radical souls of St. Charles who were pivotal to this “Great Awakening” of Spiritualism locally. Meet the mediums and orators, the believers and the publishers who made St. Charles key to this movement.
Want to learn more? Click the button below to view our online version of this exhibit
Back by popular demand, the St. Charles History Museum is holding a festive Holiday Gala Fundraiser on December 09, 2022, at the St. Charles Country Club. This event is open to the public. Seating is limited. The Holiday Gala Fundraiser will celebrate the theme “It’s A Wonderful Life In St. Charles – 70s Edition” and include a cocktail reception, cash bar, three-course meal, and a silent auction. Festive holiday attire is requested. Complimentary valet service and coat check will be provided.
Enjoy an exclusive opportunity to walk through one of St. Charles’ oldest cemeteries on a cool autumn day. Learn the stories of local legends and heroes who found their final resting place in St. Charles. At selected grave sites, guests will “encounter” a community figure and listen as they tell a short monologue about their lives, their joys, their sorrows, and their loves.
Take a walking tour of downtown St. Charles this Saturday - 3 times available: 9 AM, 11 AM, and 1 PM. Space is limited, reserve today!
EVENT POSTPONED
Take a walking tour of downtown St. Charles this Saturday - 3 times available: 9 AM, 11 AM, and 1 PM. Space is limited, reserve today!
Kids of the Fox Valley! Join us on Saturday, June 11th at 10am at the St. Charles History Museum to learn all about what chores kids helped out with 150 years ago! One of the main chores for kids was helping make butter for the family. During this program, kids will get to make their very own mini mason jar of butter to take home.
Cost: FREE!
Register: 630-584-6967
Special thanks to St. Charles Kiwanis for funding this program!
The St. Charles Fine Art Show, presented by St. Charles Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep, is this weekend! This event showcases the original, juried work of over 95 artists in a variety of mediums! All are exhibited and available for sale during this outdoor and free show. View all of the Fine Art Show sales and specials here!
The St. Charles History Museum - Saturday, May 28th and Sunday, May 29th at 10 a.m., the St. Charles History Museum will have a guided downtown walking tour of historic buildings along Main Street.
Members: $20 per person,
Non-Members: $25 per person.
Wear good walking shoes! Tour will last an hour/hour and a half.
Additionally, the Curious Fox Gift Shop will also be having a 10% off sale on all art and posters!
RSVPs are available online at STFA_HM_Walking Tour
[RESCHEDULED] A great experience for you and your children! Parents attend free!
$5/child
[RESCHEDULED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER]
Victory Gardens were an essential way for civilians to get involved in the war efforts of both World Wars. Not only did the gardens promote patriotism, but they allowed people to grow and stockpile their own food, and for more to be rationed for use as needed throughout the wars.
The U.S. Government promoted Victory Gardens and provided information about how to organize garden plots for maximum growth and yields. Their guidelines are still an extremely effective way to organize your garden plots, even to this day!
Join us as we plant our Victory Garden display outside the museum. You’ll learn all about the history of Victory Gardens, and how you can start your own today!
Kids will have the opportunity to make their own potted plant to take home.
Join us as we travel back in time to 1864 and meet Clara Barton - Civil War Battlefield Nurse
A fundraiser for the St. Charles History Museum 4/27/22 @ 6PM. Club Arcada, St. Charles.
Mr. Reid discusses the construction of paintings and how to tell their age. The American folk painters and academic ones, collecting paintings, and the care and conservation of paintings. It is important to educate the public regarding art to counteract the negative effects of reality TV. Over 80 pictures to share. They will be the subject of discussion from 50 years of studying oil paintings.
More details to follow.
One for All at the St. Charles History Museum St Patrick’s Day Lucky Inclusive Hotspot
The St. Charles History Museum will host its annual Lucky Inclusive Hotspot on the day of the St. Charles St Patrick’s Parade- Saturday, March 12th.
Last year we were unable to host due to COVID, but this year we are back and are introducing two new features of this free event.
Beginning at noon, join us for a take home craft and a Leprechaun scavenger hunt within the exhibit. Starting at 1:30 PM you can enjoy some old-fashioned popcorn while you wait for the parade. (There is a suggested donation of .50¢ per bag.
The Museum will reserve the patio and front sidewalk for those needing wheelchair access. Parking will be in front of the Museum or the Fred Norris parking garage behind the building.
Lindsay Judd, St. Charles History Museum Executive Director, stated: “We’re thrilled to be able to facilitate awareness of the need to be proactive in our inclusivity efforts.”
The St. Charles History Museum will host its first annual Adopt an Artifact Program.
Beginning at 10am on Saturday, March 5, join us for an Adoption of an Artifact. Adoptions range anywhere from $10 to $50, depending on the artifact. Artifacts will be available online beginning Tuesday, March 8th.
The Spring exhibit will be Collection processing. Interpretive signs will explain the collection process and we will also be hosting an educational program called “Adopt an Artifact”, which will pair nicely with this exhibit.
Exhibit will continue through April 2022.
*Special tours may be scheduled ahead of time for any day of the week, including Monday
Your City. Your History. Your Sense of Community.
The Museum welcomes participation in all activities by individuals with disabilities and special needs by working cooperatively with the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association. The Museum is committed to inclusion by providing public programs in the most integrated setting, providing to the maximum extent feasible for interaction between people with and without disabilities.If you or a household member has a special need or request for reasonable accommodation in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, please contact us at least one week in advance of an activity, program, or visit date. For more details, call 630-584-6967.