Lombard Historical Society

Lombard Historical Society As the stewards of Lombard’s heritage, we will continue to make history meaningful for the community.

✈📸Here's a fun aerial view of downtown Lombard from the 1970s!The photo captures the intersection of St. Charles Road an...
06/09/2026

✈📸Here's a fun aerial view of downtown Lombard from the 1970s!

The photo captures the intersection of St. Charles Road and Park Avenue. If you look closely toward the bottom of the image, you can see that Park Avenue once continued all the way to Maple Street.

Historic aerial photographs like this offer a fascinating glimpse into how Lombard has evolved over the decades. We love looking back at photographs like this!

A Message from the Lombard Historical SocietyToday, for the first time we had to turn off comments on a social media pos...
06/08/2026

A Message from the Lombard Historical Society

Today, for the first time we had to turn off comments on a social media post.

We have always believed that our page should be a place for healthy discussion, respectful dialogue, and community engagement. Unfortunately, the conversation on yesterday's Lombard Pride post became increasingly divisive and no longer reflected the respectful environment we strive to maintain.

The Lombard Historical Society regularly participates in community events throughout the village as a way to connect with residents and share Lombard's history. Yesterday's Lombard Pride event was organized by our neighbors at First Church of Lombard, and our participation was consistent with our long-standing practice of attending community events and engaging with the people we serve.

Our mission remains unchanged:

"The Lombard Historical Society endeavors to cultivate a deep appreciation and comprehension of our community's rich history. We encourage visitors to delve into our past through interactive exhibitions, educational programming, and gaining insights from our collections. We are committed to the preservation, interpretation, and celebration of Lombard's past, inspiring a vibrant and inclusive future."

We are proud to serve the entire Lombard community, as well as those who visit us from beyond Lombard. We welcome visitors from all backgrounds and perspectives and remain committed to providing a safe space where people can learn, connect, and engage with local history.

Thank you to everyone who supports our mission and helps foster a respectful and welcoming community, both in person and online.

In June 1834, Deacon Winslow Churchill arrived on the banks of the DuPage River to stake his claim and begin a new chapt...
06/08/2026

In June 1834, Deacon Winslow Churchill arrived on the banks of the DuPage River to stake his claim and begin a new chapter in Illinois history.

After leaving Syracuse, New York, with his wife, Mercy, and their eleven children, Churchill settled on 160 acres along the east bank of the East Branch of the DuPage River. From this humble beginning, the communities of Babcock’s Grove, Glen Ellyn, and Milton Township would eventually take shape!

The Churchill family became prosperous farmers and earned the respect of their neighbors as these early settlements grew and developed. Their legacy was even captured by renowned folk artist Sheldon Peck, who painted portraits of both Winslow and Mercy Churchill.

Today, visitors can still experience a piece of that history at Churchill Woods. According to the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, the first portion of the preserve was acquired from Eliza Churchill in 1935. The final significant acquisition, including the 65-acre prairie north of St. Charles Road, was completed in 1968.

Pictured below is Sheldon Peck’s portrait of Deacon Winslow Churchill.

🌈 What a great day at Lombard Pride!The Lombard Historical Society was proud to be open and participating in this wonder...
06/07/2026

🌈 What a great day at Lombard Pride!

The Lombard Historical Society was proud to be open and participating in this wonderful community event. We enjoyed connecting with visitors, sharing Lombard’s history, and celebrating the diversity and spirit that make our community so special.

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth! Pictured are Executive Director Alison Costanzo and Summer Intern Tessa Goodman representing LHS and helping spread the word about all the exciting things happening at the museum.

We loved being part of this fantastic community celebration and look forward to seeing everyone again soon!

🌈💙

Today's Museum Week theme is Hope ( ), highlighting the ways museums inspire connection, imagination, and positive futur...
06/07/2026

Today's Museum Week theme is Hope ( ), highlighting the ways museums inspire connection, imagination, and positive futures.

At the Lombard Historical Society, hope can be found in the ways history brings people together across generations.

This summer's Power of Place outdoor art installation, created in celebration of America's 250th anniversary, explores how the places we live, learn, gather, and remember help shape our communities. The project brings together local artists, students, community groups, and residents to reflect on Lombard's story and its connection to the larger American story.

The students pictured here from Glen Westlake and Madison Elementary Schools are contributing their own artwork to the installation by painting wooden U.S. cutouts that will become part of this community-wide display. Their creativity and participation remind us that history is not only about the past, but it is also about the future.

Museums help preserve the stories that connect us, but they also create opportunities for new generations to engage with those stories, share their perspectives, and help shape what comes next.

As Museum Week comes to a close, we are grateful for the students, artists, volunteers, and community members who continue to demonstrate that history has the power to bring people together.

Step back in time today at the Sheldon Peck Homestead!Join us for our Living History Civil War Event, happening now thro...
06/06/2026

Step back in time today at the Sheldon Peck Homestead!

Join us for our Living History Civil War Event, happening now through 4:00 PM. Meet reenactors, experience Civil War-era life, and learn how national events shaped our local community.

While you’re here, be sure to visit our newest exhibition and discover the fascinating connections between Lombard and Camp Douglas, one of the largest Civil War prisoner-of-war camps in the North.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore history where it happened. We look forward to seeing you at the Sheldon Peck Homestead!

Today's Museum Week theme is Fun in the Museum ( ), celebrating the unexpected, surprising, and sometimes downright amus...
06/06/2026

Today's Museum Week theme is Fun in the Museum ( ), celebrating the unexpected, surprising, and sometimes downright amusing things museums have in their collections.

One object that never fails to get a reaction from visitors is our Victorian hair art.

Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like!

During the Victorian era, it was common to create artwork and keepsakes using human hair. Hair could be woven into different designs, incorporated into jewelry, or arranged into elaborate floral displays. While the practice may seem unusual to us today, it was often a meaningful way to remember loved ones and preserve family connections.

When we show these pieces on tours, the reactions are usually a mix of curiosity, fascination, and a few surprised laughs. It's a reminder that people in the past sometimes viewed everyday things very differently than we do today.

Want to see these unique pieces for yourself? Our Victorian hair art is on display in the Victorian Cottage and can be viewed as part of a guided tour!

Museums are full of objects that challenge our expectations, spark conversations, and occasionally make us say, "They made what out of what?"

✨Opening Tomorrow!✨Join us at the Sheldon Peck Homestead for Civil War Days: Living History at the Homestead and be amon...
06/05/2026

✨Opening Tomorrow!✨

Join us at the Sheldon Peck Homestead for Civil War Days: Living History at the Homestead and be among the first to experience our newest exhibition, "Camp Douglas and the Civil War at Home."

Presented in partnership with the Camp Douglas Restoration Foundation, this new exhibit explores the history of Camp Douglas, one of the most significant Civil War sites in Illinois. Visitors will discover the camp's role during the war and its connections to Lombard through the stories of General Benjamin Sweet, Ada Celeste Sweet, Sanford Peck, and the men of Babcock's Grove who served during the Civil War.

During Civil War Days, living history interpreters will bring the 1860s to life through demonstrations and conversations about military and civilian life during the Civil War era. It's a unique opportunity to experience history both inside the museum and throughout the Homestead grounds.

📅 Saturday, June 6, 2026
⏰ 12:00 PM–4:00 PM
📍 Sheldon Peck Homestead, 355 E. Parkside Ave.
🎟️ Free Admission

Explore a new exhibit, meet living history interpreters, and learn how national events shaped the lives of people right here in our community.

We hope to see you tomorrow!

Today's Museum Week theme is Museums for The Planet ( ), highlighting how museums can contribute to environmental sustai...
06/05/2026

Today's Museum Week theme is Museums for The Planet ( ), highlighting how museums can contribute to environmental sustainability and stewardship.

At the Lombard Historical Society, caring for the past also means thinking about the future.

At the Sheldon Peck Homestead, the gardens established by the Lombard Garden Club feature plants native to Illinois and known to have grown in DuPage County during the Peck family's time. These gardens provide food and habitat for birds, butterflies, and other pollinators and have earned designation as a Monarch Waystation. They are maintained without pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers by Garden Club members and community volunteers.

Sustainability also plays a role in how we care for our historic structures. Recent improvements to the Victorian Cottage included the installation of a durable roofing material designed to resemble traditional cedar shake roofing. The new roof preserves the historic character of the building while providing a longer-lasting solution that will help protect the structure for years to come.

Whether preserving native habitats or historic buildings, museums have a responsibility to care for the resources entrusted to them. Through projects large and small, we work to preserve both our cultural heritage and the environment that surrounds it.

We are grateful to the Lombard Garden Club, volunteers, and our supporters who help make this work possible!

Address

23 W Maple Street
Lombard, IL
60148

Telephone

+16306291885

Website

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