Evanston History Center: Preserving Local Stories

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Discover Evanston's past at the History Center, with exhibits, archives, and tours in a National Historic Landmark.

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Evanston History Center

The Evanston History Center, housed in the historic Charles Gates Dawes House, collects, preserves, and shares the history of Evanston, Illinois. Through exhibits, programs, and research facilities, the center enriches the community's understanding of its past.

A brief summary to Evanston History Center

225 Greenwood St, Evanston, Illinois, 60201, US
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Tuesday 1 pm-4 pm
Wednesday 1 pm-4 pm
Thursday 1 pm-4 pm
Friday 1 pm-4 pm
Saturday 1 pm-4 pm
Sunday 1 pm-4 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Evanston History Center.

Check the Evanston History Center's website for upcoming closures and special events before visiting.
Explore the Research Room to delve into the history of Evanston's families, houses, and neighborhoods.
Take a docent-led tour of the Dawes House to learn about its architecture and the Dawes family.

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Getting There

Public Transport

The Evanston History Center is accessible via public transportation. The CTA Purple Line has several stops in Evanston, including Central, Noyes, and Davis. From the Davis station, you can take a bus or walk to the History Center. Pace buses also serve the Evanston area. A single ride on the 'L' costs $2.50.
Walking

The Evanston History Center is located at 225 Greenwood Street, Evanston, IL 60201. If you are in the downtown Evanston area, you can walk to the History Center. From Northwestern University, walk east towards Sheridan Road, then head north. Greenwood Street is a few blocks north of downtown. Check a map for the best route.
Taxi/Ride-Share

Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available in Evanston. A short ride from downtown Evanston to the History Center will likely cost between $8 and $15, depending on the service and time of day. Several taxi companies operate in Evanston, including Northshore Cab and American Taxi.

Discover more about Evanston History Center

The Evanston History Center is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of Evanston, Illinois. Founded in 1898, the center's mission is to collect, preserve, and share Evanston's history to educate and inspire the community. The History Center is located within the Charles Gates Dawes House, a National Historic Landmark built in 1894. Charles Gates Dawes was a U.S. Vice President, ambassador to Great Britain and Nobel Peace Prize winner.The Dawes House itself is a significant historical artifact. Designed in the Chateauesque style, the 25-room mansion features a cherry-paneled library, a vaulted dining room, and twelve fireplaces. The Evanston History Center's collections have grown to include over 100,000 artifacts, including decorative arts, books, documents, maps, photographs, and oral histories. The center also boasts a nationally renowned Costume Collection.Visitors can explore exhibits, participate in educational programs, and conduct research using the center's archives. The Research Room offers access to biographical files, city directories, building permits, and local newspapers. The Evanston History Center also hosts walking tours of historic Evanston neighborhoods and a discussion series called Talks@EHC.