Free Admission

The History Center is free to visit for kids, teens, adults, and families. Most programs and events are still free.

Tours of the 1907 Kinder House Museum are still free. Please call for an appointment.

Ticketed programs are always clearly noted.

Donations are gratefully accepted, and help sustain the work we do for the community.

If you enjoy our exhibits, programs and events, please consider becoming a member. Thank you!
Click to read about Memberships

2025 Funding Update
Funding for museums across the country has been slashed. Donations to your favorite museums, including ours, is now more critical than ever if we hope to continue serving communities everywhere. Your gift may be tax deductible. Help Keep History Alive!

Hours

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 1:00–4:00pm

Other times are available by appointment. 847-391-5399

Winter Weather Closure Policy: We follow School District 62 cancellation procedures in case of extreme snowfall or cold. CLICK

Location

781 Pearson St., Des Plaines, IL 60016

Our location is convenient for visitors from Chicago, the northwest suburbs, and the O’Hare International Airport area.

Parking

Visitors may park on Pearson Street or in any City of Des Plaines’ parking lot. The Earle Field parking spaces are located along the south side of Prairie Avenue, just east of Pearson Street. The Des Plaines Public Library parking garage is located one block west, at the intersection of Prairie Avenue and Center Street.

Public Transportation

We are located on Pearson Street, one block south of the Des Plaines station on the UP-NW Metra line.

Pace Bus routes 208, 209, 230, 234, and 619 also stop at the Metra station.

Accessibility

The Visitor Center at 781 Pearson Street is accessible at street level.

The Kinder House is not accessible to people who rely on wheelchairs, walkers, or who cannot otherwise use stairs. Retrofitting the house would require severe alteration of the historic structure. Staff have prepared a slideshow tour of the house that can be viewed in the Visitor Center building upon request.

No handicap parking spaces are available at our site, but drop-off or parking along Pearson Street generally provides the easiest access.

If you or your group need any accommodations or would like to make a special request, please contact our staff.