Mission & Vision
The Des Plaines History Center collects, preserves, and interprets the history of Des Plaines and its people and provides access to those resources through exhibits, educational programs and research facilities.
Our vision is to create a great future by inspiring and connecting people to the history of Des Plaines and to the world through an understanding of heritage, traditions, culture, and community.
Our Museum
We are a local history museum located in downtown Des Plaines, Ill. The Kinder House, at 789 Pearson St., is a 1907 Queen Anne Revival house with room displays portraying early 20th-century life. The Visitor Center, next door at 781 Pearson St., was built in the 1950s as the Des Plaines Savings & Loan Association. We now populate it with exhibits, art shows, programs, offices, and archives. We are an Illinois nonprofit corporation with 501(c)(3) federal tax designation. We gratefully acknowledge operating support from the City of Des Plaines, the Des Plaines Park District, our numerous members, and many other partners and contributors.
Contact
847-391-5399
contact@desplaineshistory.org
781 Pearson St, Des Plaines, IL 60016
Staff
Kurt Begalka, Executive Director
Emma Marston, Interpretive Curator
Siobhan Heraty, Curator of Collections
Cara Caputo, Office Manager
Board of Trustees
Stan Kotecki, President
Gene Haring, Vice President
Elizabeth Makelim, Secretary
Kristina Khoshaba, Treasurer
Tom Christiansen
Rhonda Popko
Carol Shannon
Maureen Stern
Kathy Vana
Brian Wolf
Mike Charewicz, City of Des Plaines Liaison
Annette Curtis, Des Plaines Park District Liaison
Seated, L-R: Carol Shannon, Kathy Vana, Kurt Begalka, Elizabeth Makelim, Gene Haring, Stan Kotecki.
Standing, L-R: Mike Charewicz, Brian Wolf, Rhonda Popko, Tom Christiansen, Maureen Stern, Annette Curtis.
Not pictured: Kristina Khoshaba.
Photo: Stan Kotecki Photography.