Tours & Exhibits

The Kinder House: Come see Des Plaines life 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.

“Women in Des Plaines”: 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 quietly did extraordinary things will be featured in this exhibit to help us tell a more complete story of Des Plaines.

Programs

Coffee Talks: Our lecture series mainly for adults is held the second Thursday of each month at 1:30 p.m. 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. Click HERE to see the coffee talk schedule for 2026.

School Programs: The Des Plaines History Center brings history, art, social studies, STEM and more to life for students! 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.

Presentations: Our staff can prepare a presentation on any topic relating to the history of Des Plaines and our collections.

Have another idea for a program? Talk to us!

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

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