Tours & Exhibits

The Kinder House Museum: Come see and hear about life in Des Plaines as it was in the early twentieth century. Tours are currently offered by appointment for individuals and groups. Call 847-391-5399 or email contact@desplaineshistory.org. Guided tours of the 1907 Queen Anne Revival style Kinder House are free for History Center Members.

Programs

Coffee Talks: Our lively and educational lecture series is held one weekday each month, at 1:30p, in the Education Center. Check our calendar and social media posts for upcoming dates and topics.

Coffee Talks are free for History Center members, and $10 for nonmembers. Registration is required. To register, click the link included on the calendar page for each event, call 847-391-5399, or email contact@desplaineshistory.org.

Any day-of availability is accommodated strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. Click HERE to see the coffee talk schedule for 2026.

Coffee Talks are generously supported by our friends at Village Bank & Trust, a Wintrust Community Bank.

School Programs: The Des Plaines History Center brings history, art, social studies, STEM, and much more to life for local Elementary, Middle School, and High School students. We provide all the materials and resources needed for to learn the topic, including artifacts, maps, photos & documents from our extensive archival collection. Demonstrations by our expert Curator include hands-on activities.

Programs can presented at the History Center, in school classrooms, or at your organization. Call 847-391-5399 or email contact@desplaineshistory.org to start the conversation about booking a program.

Presentations: Our staff can prepare a presentation on any topic relating to the history of Des Plaines and our collections. Have an idea for a history-based program? Talk to us!

E-newsletter, Programs & Events

Sign up for our monthly e-Newsletter and occasional emails about our programs & events. We never sell your information.