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Tours & Exhibits
The Kinder House - ongoing - Come see Des Plaines life as it was in the early twentieth century!
“Women in Des Plaines” - on display through August 2025 - Women’s vital role in the development of this community is often obscured and hidden. The further one goes into the past, the less likely it is that the work and achievements of women were acknowledged in the historical record. The stories of Des Plaines’ women pioneers, and those of ordinary women who did quietly extraordinary things, will be featured in this exhibit to help us tell a more complete story of Des Plaines.
Regular Programs
Hands-on History is a program series for children held the first Wednesday and following Sunday of each month from 1:30-3:00p. Check out the calendar for upcoming dates and topics.
Coffee Talk is a program series mainly for adults held the second Thursday of each month at 1:30p unless otherwise noted. Check out the calendar for upcoming dates and topics. Registration is required for all Coffee Talks. To register, call 847-391-5399 or email contact@desplaineshistory.org. Any day-of availability will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Coffee Talks are generously supported by our friends at Village Bank & Trust, a Wintrust Community Bank.
Schools, Educators & Scouts
Children’s programs are generously supported by the Kiwanis Club of Des Plaines.
POSTED FEBRUARY 1, 2025: Please note that we are short-staffed now, likely through May 2025. Our ability to provide programs is temporarily limited, but we we do our best. Call 847-391-5399 or email contact@desplaineshistory.org
Activity-Based Learning
The Des Plaines History Center brings history, art, social studies, STEAM and more to life for your group! We provide all the materials and resources necessary for students to learn from, including artifacts, maps, photos and documents from our archival collection, and other hands-on activities and demonstrations. Programs can be booked on– or off-site from the History Center, or even virtually.
Our staff availability and program space are limited. We cannot accommodate groups larger than 50 at a time. If your group is larger, we can discuss conducting activities in shifts.
All programs for local schools are FREE.
Programs for all other groups are $3 per student. No charge for adult supervisors.
Quilts & Communities (Pre–K & Kindergarten)
Learn about the colorful history and patterns of handmade quilts.
Old-Fashioned Toys and Games (2nd–4th grade)
Try out some old-fashioned toys and learn about life for children hundreds of years ago.
100 Years of Illinois History (3rd–5th grade)
Explore Illinois’ unique history, from glaciers to the early lives of settlers.
Flights of Fancy (3rd–5th grade)
Practice your engineering skills with the Wright Brothers by designing and flying paper airplanes.
Civil War Soldiers (4th–6th grade)
Step into the world of a Union soldier and learn about life during the Civil War.
Secrets and Spies (4th–6th grade)
Join George Washington’s army and learn how to break secret codes from the Revolutionary War.
Have another idea? We are flexible and can fit your needs!
Other Groups
Our staff availability and program space are limited. We cannot accommodate groups larger than 50, including adult supervisors. If your group is larger, we can discuss conducting activities in shifts.
Tour the Kinder House We can set up a time for your group to tour the house together. We try to keep group tours to no more than 12 people.
Presentations Our staff have prepared presentations on the following topics. These are best for adults. Your group can come to us, or we can come to your site. A $100 honorarium is requested, but we can work with your budget.
The History of Ice Cream
The Recreation Movement & the Origins of the Des Plaines Park District
City of Roses: Des Plaines Greenhouses
Grave Interest: Des Plaines Cemeteries
Des Plaines in the Great War (WWI)
Des Plaines and the War against Fascism (WWII)
Des Plaines Architecture
Des Plaines, Then & Now (compares historic photos to present)
Have another idea for a progam? Talk to us!