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

Please note that while classes may display below as available, registration does not open until the following dates:
•  Winter: December 15 for residents, December 22 for non-residents
•  Spring: March 15 for residents, March 22 for non-residents
•  Summer: May 15 for residents, May 22 for non-residents
•  Fall: August 15 for residents, August 22 for non-residents

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.

Women's History Walk

Walk through women's history in downtown Skokie. Learn about important women and pivotal moments in the struggle for equal rights, including Skokie's first resident doctor and the development of the first commercial contraceptive. Drop-ins welcome. Children under 10 free with paid adult.
Women's History Walk
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
4/12
3:00 pm- 4:30 pm
AGES
10 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$15.00 / $15.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register

History of Old Orchard Walking Tour

Celebrate Old Orchard Mall's 70th anniversary with a stroll down memory lane! Learn how malls have shaped American life and explore the roles of Old Orchard, the Edens Expressway, Skokie's Fun Fair amusement park, and Niles North High School in Skokie history. Park in green garage and meet at west entrance to Macy's. Walk is about 2 miles long with seating at some, but not all, stops. Children younger than 12 free with paid adult.
History of Old Orchard Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
4/15
5:00 pm- 7:00 pm
AGES
12 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$25.00 / $25.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register
History of Old Orchard Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
4/22
5:00 pm- 7:00 pm
AGES
12 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$25.00 / $25.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register
History of Old Orchard Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
5/20
5:00 pm- 7:00 pm
AGES
12 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$25.00 / $25.00
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. Tour meets at the Skokie Heritage Museum. Drop-ins welcome. Children under 10 free with paid adult.
Rise of the Bungalow Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
4/19
3:00 pm- 4:30 pm
AGES
10 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$15.00 / $15.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register

Cold War and Civil Rights 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 aesthetics, the evolution of the nuclear family and second-wave feminism, and the 1960s civil rights and fair housing movements in Skokie. Drop-ins welcome. Free admission sponsored by the Village of Skokie Human Relations Commission.
Cold War and Civil Rights Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
4/26
3:00 pm- 5:00 pm
AGES
12 - 99
LOCATION
Devonshire Park
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$0.00 / $0.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register

Victorian Garden Party

Party like it's 1900! Play croquet and other popular Victorian-age garden party games on the museum lawn. Enjoy light refreshments plus more themed crafts and activities.
Victorian Garden Party
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
5/31
10:00 am- 1:00 pm
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$10.00 / $15.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register

Skokie Heritage Museum Guided 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 Skokie log cabin from 1847.
Museum Guided Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
8/29
12:00 pm- 1:00 pm
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$10.00 / $10.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register
Museum Guided Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
8/30
12:00 pm- 1:00 pm
AGES
5 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$10.00 / $10.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register

Exhibit Opening & Gallery Talk

Get a behind-the-scenes in-depth look at our newest exhibit, "Things Happened Here: A History of Civic Engagement in Skokie" with the curators while enjoying light refreshments.
Exhibit Opening & Gallery Talk
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
8/29
5:00 pm- 6:00 pm
AGES
10 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$10.00 / $10.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register

America250 Trivia Night

Celebrate America's 250th birthday by testing your knowledge of the last 250 years of history in the United States of America with this lightning-fast trivia competition covering major events, pop culture, politics, and more. Play solo or with a partner for a chance to win fun prizes! Must bring a smartphone or similar wifi-enabled device to participate.
America's 250th Trivia Night
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
8/30
5:30 pm- 6:30 pm
AGES
21 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$15.00 / $15.00
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 guided tour of historic downtown Skokie. This will be a casually paced walk with stops throughout the downtown area. Tour meets at Skokie Heritage Museum (8031 Floral Ave.). Children under 10 free with a paid adult.
Historic Downtown Skokie Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
8/29
10:00 am-11:00 am
AGES
10 - 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
8/30
10:00 am-11:00 am
AGES
10 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$10.00 / $10.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register

History of Old Orchard Walking Tour

Celebrate Old Orchard Mall's 70th anniversary with a stroll down memory lane! Learn how malls have shaped American life and explore the roles of Old Orchard, the Edens Expressway, Skokie's Fun Fair amusement park, and Niles North High School in Skokie history. Park in green garage and meet at west entrance to Macy's. Walk is about 2 miles long with seating at some, but not all, stops. Children younger than 12 free with paid adult.
History of Old Orchard Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
6/3
10:00 am-12:00 pm
AGES
12 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$25.00 / $25.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register
History of Old Orchard Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
7/1
10:00 am-12:00 pm
AGES
12 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$25.00 / $25.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register
History of Old Orchard Walking Tour
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
8/19
10:00 am-12:00 pm
AGES
12 - 99
LOCATION
Skokie Heritage Museum
FEES (Res / Non Res)
$25.00 / $25.00
AVAILABILITY
Available
Register


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