Historical Museum

Preservation of community history is a priority of the Village of Addison. In 1973. the Addison Historical Commission was created. The commission is composed of nine community volunteers who are appointed by the Village Board to serve three year terms. A main duty of the Commission is to work and collaborate with the Addison Historical Society in providing, maintaining and operating the Addison Historical Museum.

The Addison Historical Museum opened to the public on July 4, 1976 in the former Village Hall at 131 W. Lake St. In 1999, the historic 1892 Balzer House and 1932 Coach House were acquired and moved from their Lake Street location to property adjacent to the 1893 Century House to create the museum campus.

Addison Historical Museum
Physical Address: 135 W. Army Trail Boulevard
(Mailing Address: 1 Friendship Plaza, Addison, Il 60101
Museum Coordinator: Susan English
630-628-1433, museum@addison-il.org

MUSEUM IS OPEN FOR TOURING ON WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS

SUMMER HOURS- JUNE 1-SEPTEMBER 1- 11AM-4PM
THURSDAY EVENINGS WEATHER PERMITTING- JUNE 2-AUGUST 25, 2022
TUESDAY EARLY EVENINGS -JULY 5 AND JULY 19-5-7PM
SATURDAY, JULY 16 AND AUGUST 20-11-4PM

Face masks are no longer required to be worn inside the historical museum. buildings. However, due to the small footprints of our historical buildings, we encourage visitors to continue to wear a face mask and practice social distancing in our facility.

Free Admission

The Addison Historical Museum is housed in the historic 1892 Balzer House 1
Balzer House which was originally located on East Lake Street.
It was the home of William Balzer, his wife Marie Heidemann and
their family. Since 1999, it has served as the Addison Historical Museum.

The museum contains artifact and photo displays about local
history. Please call 630- 628-1433 or email the museum at
museum@addison-il.org for more information.

Century House
129 W. Army Trail Boulevard

Built in 1893 as a teachers' home for the Lutheran School, this house was purchased by the Village of Addison in 1993 and hence, got its distinctive name. The Addison Historical Society researched and restored the home to the late 19th to early 20th Century period through the generous donations of the Addison community. Visitors to the museum can experience first hand what it was like to live in Addison at this time.

Coach House
135 W. Army Trail Boulevard
(Location: Behind Addison Historical Museum)

The Coach House was built by William Balzer in 1932 using lumber from his former tombstone shop and originally stood behind the Balzer House on East Lake Street. Balzer used the building for his Addison Township Clerk office, vehicle storage, and carpentry shop. It was moved to this location in 1999 along with the museum. The first floor contains a recreation of Balzer's clerk office, a diorama of the Addison State Bank, an Addison Railroad display and exhibits on Addison's agricultural heritage. The second floor area includes displays of antique household items and tools.

Museum Mission: The Addison Historical Museum is a cooperative venture of the Addison Historical Society and the Village of Addison which bridges the past, present and future by procuring, preserving and presenting Village history and engaging its diverse and vibrant community. (adopted 9.10.2018)

Museum Vision: Engaging the Community in Addison's History (adopted 11.5.2018)