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, a 501 c 3 not for profit organization formed in 1974,  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.

The museum is staffed by one full-time professional employed by the Village of Addison and Historical Society volunteers.  The museum is funded by the Village as part of the Community Relations Department and by the Historical Society.  The Village and Historical Society cooperatively help govern museum operations, planning, and financial accountability.

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

For accessibility-related questions, please contact Susan English, Museum Coordinator.

MUSEUM IS OPEN FOR TOURING ON WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS
HOURS: NOON TO 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 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)