Berwyn Historical Society

06/05/2026

See y’all tomorrow for June’s OPEN MUSEUM DAY! 10am-2pm, all are welcome and FREE admission!

06/02/2026

You’re invited to the 3rd Annual Historical Hog on 7/23 at the legendary FITZGERALDS!

Join us for a delicious pig roast from the famous BABY GOLD BBQ and good times, all in support of the BHS’s efforts of preserving history.

tickets on sale now! LAST YEAR SOLD OUT! Early Bird special $20 or $25 Day of! Your ticket gets you a bbq plate with 2 sides along with cash bar, raffles and 100% of the proceeds support the BHS.

Grab your tickets at www.berwynhistoricalsociety.org/events/3rd-annual-historical-hog-summer-celebration/

See you there! fitzgeralds pigroast

05/22/2026

Every one of our vintage homes has a story behind it. The history of the Silhan House is particularly interesting. This article appeared in Chicago magazine today.

https://www.chicagomag.com/real-estate/a-worlds-fair-inspired-home-for-sale-in-berwyn/

The designer frequented the Century of Progress and used recycled or discounted materials to create a house for his family.

05/21/2026

Berwyn's Streamline Moderne landmark house is for sale. The home is on the National Historic Register, and has been lovingly restored by its owner for many years. Help us find a buyer who will understand the architectural significance of this home.

For Sale: View 39 photos for 3728 Cuyler Ave, this 2 bed, 1 bath, 1242 sqft. single family home in Berwyn, IL listed at $338,500. MLS #12654000

05/18/2026

The subject of the Sears kit homes is a fascinating one. Between 1908 and 1942 Sears sold 70,000 homes and ship them all over the country, including as far away as Alaska. If you have an interest in learning more about them, a great place to start would be the Sears Modern Homes Wikipedia entry.

Berwyn has over 10 Sears kit homes that still exist. Of course, many of them have been remodeled over the years and they may be difficult to spot. Our photo is one of the Sears homes in Berwyn, still looking beautiful and very much as it did when it was assembled.

05/10/2026

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!

05/06/2026

It's fascinating to read what you got when you purchased a home kit from Sears. All for $2,753.00. Of course, you needed to supply the land and the labor.
You also needed your bathroom fixtures, and your appliances.

05/04/2026

People who research their historic homes frequently look for name of the architect. They're surprised to learn that many of our vintage homes were constructed from commercial blueprints -- or, sold as complete home kits. Sears was one of the leading companies in this field. It's almost incomprehensible to us now, but it was quite common for people to buy a home kit and have it shipped to them in parts. There are several of these homes in Berwyn, surviving over 100 years. Do you have a home that was built from a kit?

04/29/2026

The Berwyn Historical Society's Museum will be open to the public this Saturday, May 2nd, from 10:00 till 2:00 p.m. Admission is free

1401 Grove Avenue, Berwyn.

Hope to see you there!

04/19/2026

Our thanks to Linda Malek for sending in this excellent explanation of what the Bohemian Wall Street was. This was taken from the now closed Hawthorne Museum.