Elmhurst Historical Museum

The Elmhurst Historical Museum has a really cool interactive exhibit on the 2^nd floor filled with the history of Elmhurst and the surrounding area. I easily spent over half an hour there, and I don’t even live in Elmhurst. There’s a parking lot and admission is free, so no excuses not to visit!

Elmhurst’s historical museum is tucked into the second floor of a historical mansion. Enjoy the architectural touches in the lobby/​anteroom (fancy woodwork; beautifully wrought doorknobs) because they are pretty much the only architectural touches remaining. The mansion was Elmhurst’s city hall for years, so most of the rooms are strictly business, with perhaps an original beam sticking out, an elaborate doorknob, and of course those gorgeous high ceilings. A docent will welcome you in and give you some basic information on the mansion /​former city hall, before sending you off to see the rest on your own.
There is a large open display gallery on the first floor with rotating exhibits, and off the lobby there is a gift shop. It’s worth a quick visit; some affordable books of local interest, including some very affordable Dover editions of Carl Sandburg, who lived in Elmhurst for a time.

The second floor does a good job laying out Elmhurst’s history, though the exhibits are a bit squashed together. «History» is liberally interpreted; there are artifacts from as recent as 2014. There are a number of audio exhibits; you can hear long-​time Elmhurst residents presenting oral history of events they witnessed. If you are with kids or are following a group with kids, you’ll get to hear them all at once due to the open architecture of the display room. The rooms appear to have been built inside the original rooms; some of the original gorgeous wood is probably still tucked away in there somewhere.
The interactive map, showing various periods of Elmhurst’s history, is a big hit with kids and gets its own room. The next room hosts a short film about Elmhurst’s history; if you were paying attention in the main exhibit room many of the photographs will look familiar. Do note what appears to be portions of the old York theater marquee (no signage). Sadly, you’ll still be getting all the noise from the map room and those kid-​friendly oral histories.
The third floor is reserved for staff; wave at the historical fireplace on your way out and do hit the gift shop (cash, checks, credit cards all accepted). Admission is free but donations are gratefully accepted.