Exploring Fascinating Local History Through a Wealth of Artifacts and Exhibits at the Elgin History Museum
Disclosure: Thank you to Explore Elgin Area for hosting our visit.
Elgin History Museum sets the foundations for any Elgin visit with interesting artifacts and engaging exhibits. The number and quality of exhibits within the museum impressed us and invited us to explore the stories of Elgin.
 |
| The Elgin History Museum is housed the historic Old Main which was constructed in 1856 and once part of the Elgin Academy. |
Learning About Early Elgin
We began our visit by watching a short video providing the about what we would see in the museum. After, we perused exhibits on Elgin's founders including checking out a replica wagon and cabin. The Gifford family built the first cabin in Elgin and are considered founders of the city. I love little peeks into history like the cabin offers.
 |
| Visiting the cabin replica at Elgin History Museum. |
Several exhibits detailed the stories of immigrants that came to live in Elgin. I always find it fascinating how many different people are interwoven into a city's story. In this same section, there are many hands-on activities for kids. Interesting artifacts and engaging displays let us see the old Elgin including a mini, old-time grocery store.
 |
| The old Elgin grocery store provides a fun way for kids to engage with history. |
We also learned about Elginites that served in the Civil War. Being a Civil War buff, I was pretty interested in this history. During our architectural tour, we would learn more about Civil War veterans from Elgin. Further exhibits would discuss Elgin's contributions to other war efforts.
 |
| Civil War relics on display at Elgin History Museum telling the stories of veterans. |
Elgin as a Dairy Capital
Something I did not know prior to my visit but learned at the museum --- Elgin once was a dairy capital! My great grandfather as well as other ancestors were dairy farmers, so this history really has a special tie to my family. With Elgin's proximity to Chicago, one can easily see how the location would be ideal for dairy to source the city. We also learned about how certain industries led to others growing. In the case of dairies, creameries, butter companies, dairy equipment manufacturing, butter crock manufacturers, and more sprung up alongside the dairy industry.
 |
| Old glass milk jars represent the dairies once in Elgin. |
A remarkable number of industries called Elgin home beginning with a woolens factory in 1844. Toastmaster, Elgin Street Sweeper, windmills, pianos, stoves, butter crocks, and other products were manufactured in Elgin.
 |
| A fascinating display of watchmaking tools at the Elgin History Museum. |
We found the Elgin National Watch Company exhibit to be particularly captivating. The museum contains an incredible collection of timepieces fabricated by the Elgin National Watch Company. Exhibits also taught us about the employees of Elgin National Watch Company and offered a glimpse of some of the tools used in watchmaking.
 |
| Watches fabricated by Elgin National Watch Company. |
One exhibit we found particularly fascinating focused on the needed synchronicity of timepieces for trains. Trains had to run on time not only to make destinations and keep a schedule -- but to avoid accidents as well. Railroad watches had to be certain sizes and calibrated a particular way, They also had to be inspected periodically by a watch inspector.
 |
| Train watches had to be crafted and synchronized a certain way to avoid accidents. |
Exhibit on Education in Elgin
We had fun checking out all sorts of school memorabilia in a special exhibit. Exhibits like this are fun and you can actually feel the school spirit lifting you throughout the exhibit.
 |
| Admiring school memorabilia at Elgin History Museum. |
Fascinating Explorations at Elgin History Museum
Other exhibits within the museum include the Elgin races and Elgin architecture. Another exhibit explores Elgin in the 20th century with focus on the WWI and WWII war efforts and Women's Suffrage.
In addition to incredible exhibits, Elgin History Museum offers a variety of events throughout the year and special museum play days. Additionally, the museum hosts cemetery walks which can offer a unique look into Elgin history. I would love to attend in the fall! I recommend following the Elgin History Museum Facebook page to keep up-to-date.
As you can see, we absolutely loved the Elgin History Museum! We learned a lot about Elgin history and found the exhibits to be fascinating and engaging. I love to visit local history museums when traveling because it provides insight into the region and actually gives you perspective on how the region developed into what you see today. Plus, it provides a basis for other things you may encounter on your trip including street names, park names, architecture and more. Admission to the museum is a nominal fee, so a visit is well worth it. The wealth of artifacts and information provided in the exhibits make for a pretty interesting exploration of Elgin history. We would love to return!
Post a Comment