What are the opening hours?

Monday 1pm - 4pm Tuesday 1pm - 4pm Wednesday 1pm - 4pm Thursday 1pm - 4pm Friday 10am - 1pm Saturday 10am - 1pm

Lake Bluff History Museum

Home
United States
Lake Bluff, IL
Lake Bluff History Museum

Call Directions Website

Lake Bluff History Museum preserves and celebrates the history of Lake Bluff, Illinois, a village on Chicago's North Shore.

11/06/2026

We’re counting the days till the Lake Bluff History Museum Holiday Home Tour on December 6. Get your tickets at lakebluffhistory.org/events or click the link in our Insta bio.

11/04/2026

Today, the day after Election Day, we’re dedicating a memorial plaque to one of Lake Bluff’s most notable elected officials, Robert McClory.

His son Oliver will be at the ceremony at 10 a.m. November 4 near the McClory Bike Path repair station across from Artesian Park in Lake Bluff. Please join us!

10/30/2026

Thousands travel the Robert McClory Bike Path every year. Starting November 4 they're going to find out just who McClory was!

We're installing a commemorative plaque in McClory’s honor -- and you're invited to the dedication. It’s at 10 a.m. November 4 on the bike path bench area across from Artesian Park, hosted by the Lake Bluff History Museum, Village of Lake Bluff and Celebrate 250 Lake Bluff Style.

So just who was McClory? He helped get a US president from his own party impeached!

McClory was a 10-term U.S. Congressman and a key figure in the Watergate impeachment proceedings against President Richard Nixon. He was also a Lake Bluff civic leader who shaped our community, including conservation advocacy that transformed the North Shore rail corridor into public open space.

Before it was a route for cyclists and runners, the 25-mile path was a stretch of the abandoned North Shore railway. It was renamed the Robert McClory Bike Path in 1997 to honor a man who was an avid athlete, a Scoutmaster and the Lake Bluff village attorney from 1941 to 1963.

Join us on November 4 to celebrate how a resident from Lake Bluff influenced the nation and left a lasting local legacy. His son, Oliver McClory, will attend the ceremony.

We hope to see you there!

10/21/2026

See our country's foundational documents up close THIS Thursday, October 22, at The Promise of Liberty.

You'll see original documents including a July 1776 printing of the Declaration of Independence in the Boston Gazette featuring a Paul Revere masthead. Rare document expert Seth Kaller will discuss their relevance to society to inspire unity across political divides and encourage gratitude for our liberties.

Lake Bluff History Museum and Lake Bluff 250 Committee are hosting the event in Lake Forest High School's Raymond Moore Auditorium at 7 PM.

Attendance is free but seats are limited and reservations are required. Save your spot: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOv6gmKoLaIfl3RGL_JkPD7lOXGaCP3UpLh9tDFuIzqTuaSQ/viewform

10/14/2026

Long before anyone signed the famous Declaration of Independence parchment, local newspapers were spreading the news of freedom. On Thursday, October 22nd, you can see some of these front pages and door-front postings up close! THis includes a rare, July 1776 original printing of the Declaration of Independence in the Boston Gazette featuring a Paul Revere masthead. It’s a raw look at the American experiment—complete with typos, political realities and news about a smallpox outbreak.

Renowned historic document expert Seth Kaller is bringing rare foundational documents to Lake Forest High School's auditorium at 7 PM on October 22 It's hosted by Lake Bluff History and the Lake Bluff 250 Committee and is free to attend -- but seats are limited and reservations are required.

VIsit lakebluffhistory.org to save your spot or click: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOv6gmKoLaIfl3RGL_JkPD7lOXGaCP3UpLh9tDFuIzqTuaSQ/viewform

10/14/2026

The Declaration of Independence wasn't just history—it was technology. Come to "The Promise of Liberty" on October 22 to see a rare July 22, 1776 printing of the Boston Gazette featuring a Paul Revere masthead. This newspaper spread the news of independence weeks before anyone signed the famous parchment we see in museums today. It reveals a raw, unedited version of the American experiment, complete with the era's unique political realities, typos and even announcements about the local smallpox outbreak.

This is just one artifact you'll see at event, which is presented by historic document expert Seth Kaller (shown in these photos) and hosted by Lake Bluff History and Lake Bluff 250 Committee.

"The Promise of Liberty" takes place at 7 pm on October 22 at Lake Forest High School's auditorium. Original and early replicas of US foundational documents will be on display in the school library and you'll have the opportunity to see them up close.

There's no cost to attend but reservations are required. Click here to reserve your seat: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOv6gmKoLaIfl3RGL_JkPD7lOXGaCP3UpLh9tDFuIzqTuaSQ/viewform

10/09/2026

This Sunday is the day to learn about Lake Bluff's ties to the Chautauqua movement. “Under the Grand Tabernacle: The Lake Bluff Camp Meeting Chautauqua and the Birth of a Village" takes place on October 11 at 2:00 PM at the Union Church of Lake Bluff, which is the where the Lake Bluff Camp Meeting tabernacle was located.

Please note the location, time and date of this program!
"Under the Grand Tabernacle" is free but reservations are requested so we can plan accordingly. Save your seat here:
https://www.tickettailor.com/.../lakebluffhistory.../2237794 See less

Address

127 E Scranton Avenue
Lake Bluff, IL
60044

Opening Hours

Monday	1pm - 4pm
Tuesday	1pm - 4pm
Wednesday	1pm - 4pm
Thursday	1pm - 4pm
Friday	10am - 1pm
Saturday	10am - 1pm

Telephone

(847) 482-1571

Website

http://lakebluffhistory.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Lake Bluff History Museum posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.