Exhibits

The Elmhurst History Museum proudly presents a diverse array of exhibits each year to fulfill our mission to engage people with history. From original exhibits created in-house by staff, to national touring exhibits from other institutions, as well as our ongoing core exhibit on Elmhurst history -- there's always something new to see and experience in our galleries!

2024 Exhibition Schedule

Victory at Home: 1941-1945
March 1 - August 18, 2024

Explore Our Nation's Home Front Efforts during World War II

Spurred by the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the United States entered the Second World War. President Roosevelt urged every citizen to answer the call to fight, whether overseas or at home. The exhibition, Victory at Home: 1941-1945, explores the national effort to support the military during the war. This resilient and steadfast generation of civilians helped lead the Allies to victory through united efforts such as rationing, women in the workforce, increased war production, purchasing war bonds, and so much more. These efforts taught Americans how to economize, to alleviate the domestic hardships and mental fatigue a nation at war often experiences. The exhibition includes compelling artifacts, photographs, and interactive audio-video stations with hands-on experiences to demonstrate the significant contribution Chicagoland residents, including those in Elmhurst, had on the home front effort.

Elmhurst’s Hometown Heroes

The Elmhurst History Museum and Elmhurst Heritage Foundation are excited to partner with Elmhurst City Centre to honor our veterans. Over 1,800 residents of Elmhurst served in the military, and we hope to honor a few of these men and women by featuring them on lamp post banners along a section of York Street from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2024.

We invite you to nominate your own veteran to be included in the project:

          Apply Online

          Download PDF of Application

*Due to the limited number of banners, applications are on a first-come-first-serve basis. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

Chicagoland Movie Palaces: A Century of Follies & Film
September 6, 2024 – January 5, 2025

In honor of York Theatres' 100 years in business, the Elmhurst History Museum proudly announces their Fall 2024 exhibition, "Chicagoland Movie Palaces: A Century of Follies & Film." This exhibit will delve into the early days of vaudeville and the golden age of motion picture theatres through historical photographs, performance and film artifacts, historical publications and advertisements, and archival films. The exhibit will also explore how the shared experience of going to the movie theater has changed through advances in movie magic, diverse storytelling, and the rise of streaming platforms. The exhibit will highlight the importance of York Theatre's centennial celebration with a special section on the famous performances and films that have made a splash on the iconic marquee in Elmhurst since 1924.

By All Accounts: The Story of Elmhurst
ONGOING 

Experience Elmhurst history through an award-winning exhibit about how the city grew and developed over the its 165+ year history. The Museum's entire second floor is home to an innovative journey through Elmhurst's past that includes an eclectic array of artifacts from local businesses, residents and organizations, rare photographs, an interactive tabletop map, a documentary on Elmhurst history and lots more. MORE INFO