Highland Illinois Historical Society

06/07/2026

Kaeser Park is open for tours today!

If you’re looking to take in a bit of history, consider coming out to Kaeser Park & the Highland History Museum! Located at 1739 Broadway, this old brick building once was a stagecoach relay stop and housed the weary stage coach drivers.
Back in the early 1830s, residents in Highland lobbied to have the new National Road built to run through Highland. The appeal was granted as long as the residents did the work. By late 1843, stagecoaches were able to travel between Maryland and the Mississippi River. Today much of this road follows the path of Route 40.
Built in 1835, this building and the property eventually fell into disrepair. It was purchased by Marion Kaeser Piper and was given to the Highland Historical Society, which restored it to it’s original condition in 1986 and has maintained it since.
It is open on the 1st Sunday of each month from April to November from 1-4 and a $3 donation is suggested.
Bring your family out to visit the Highland Museum within the historic building, see the restored barn and explore the 4 acres of park!

06/02/2026

After the storm at the Latzer Homestead.
Beautiful double rainbow over Highland.
Click on the pics to see the full photos!
Photographer, DeAnna Dobbs.

05/22/2026

In May 1875, the prominent Highland John Suppiger family and others set off on a voyage back to visit their native homeland of Switzerland. Approaching England in fog, the SS Schiller hit rocks near the Islands of Scilly. Three hundred souls lost their lives that day, earning the disaster to be named “The Victorian Titanic”

This memorial chapel was built in 1884 in accordance to the will of John Suppiger. It is now preserved as a historic landmark and is maintained by the Highland Historical society.

On Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day) there will be a ceremony at the chapel starting at 9:00 am. The chapel will be open to the public.

04/19/2026

This grand dame got a facelift!
It's been many months in the making - after sanding/painting/painting shutters/rehanging the shutters. she is finally ready for her debut!
She was built in 1901 and celebrates her 125th birthday this year!

Come out sometime and take a tour of this late Queen Anne Victorian house at the Latzer Homestead!
She is open for visitors and is awaiting the many events to come this year.

Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped, HD Paint and Stain, and the donations that made this possible!

04/02/2026

Kaeser Park opens for the season on Easter Sunday (4/5)!
If you’re looking to get outside to get some fresh air and walk off some of your Easter dinner, consider coming out to Kaeser Park & the Highland History Museum! Located at 1739 Broadway, this old brick building once was a stagecoach relay stop and housed the weary stage coach drivers.

Back in the early 1830s, residents in Highland lobbied to have the new National Road built to run through Highland. The appeal was granted as long as the residents did the work. By late 1843, stagecoaches were able to travel between Maryland and the Mississippi River. Today much of this road follows the path of Route 40.

Build in 1835, this building and the property eventually fell into disrepair. It was purchased by Marion Kaeser Piper and was given to the Highland Historical Society, which restored it to it’s original condition in 1986 and has maintained it since.

It is open on the 1st Sunday of each month from April to November from 1-4 and a $3 donation is suggested.
Bring your family out to visit the Highland Museum within the historic building, see the restored barn and explore the 4 acres of park!

03/30/2026

ARE THERE ANY BUSINESSES or companies in Highland celebrating America 250? If you are, we'd love to partner with you!

Check out this exciting program the Highland Parks & Recreation department is offering starting April 1!
Sounds like a great way to start off America 250!!

03/15/2026

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

The Highland Historical Society is happy & proud to announce our 38th annual fall event!This event is being held, as usual, the first weekend after Labor Day (Sept. 11, 12 & 13). For many years this event has been known as Homestead Harvest Days, but this year is special!

As a historical society, we couldn’t let our country’s 250th birthday pass without a major celebration. So, we will be celebrating Homestead Harvest Days AND America 250 together this year!

What can you expect? Don’t worry, everything you have loved over the past 37 years will be back! We will be holding demonstrations, living history, entertainment, children’s events, tractors & more! We will also be focusing on the decades throughout the years of not only our country, but also our historic town of Highland!

Visit highlandilhistoricalsociety.org, Highland Illinois Historical Society on Facebook, or our new official page for this event, Highland Historical Society Celebrates America 250, for updates and posts featuring what’s to come!

Mark your calendars!

03/10/2026

Spring has Sprung at the Latzer Homestead!
Stay tuned for a MAJOR announcement later this week!

12/16/2025

Did you miss our A Homestead Christmas last Saturday? You still have one more chance! Come visit us THIS Saturday, December 20, from 10 am - 4 pm at the Latzer Homestead! Tickets are $5 at the door! But you can also order tickets online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1976522516052?aff=oddtdtcreator

We hope to see you there!

Get ready to experience the ultimate Christmas vibes at the Homestead - a festive celebration you won't want to miss out on!

12/13/2025

Thank you to all who came out today for the first day of our 2nd Annual Homestead Christmas at the Latzer Homestead!

Due to the extreme cold forecasted tomorrow we have decided reschedule the tours scheduled for Sunday, December 14 to Saturday December 20. Again, tours happening tomorrow December 14, have been rescheduled to Saturday, December 20 from 10 am to 4 pm. Please spread the word!

Book your tickets in advanced: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1976522516052?aff=oddtdtcreator
or pay at the door!

We will see you December 20!

Get ready to experience the ultimate Christmas vibes at the Homestead - a festive celebration you won't want to miss out on!