Location: Evanston
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The 10 Best Museums in Evanston, Illinois (IL)
Evanston (/ˈɛvənˌstən/) is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States, 12 miles (19 km) north of downtown Chicago, bordered by Chicago to the south, Skokie to the west, and Wilmette to the north. It had a population of 74,486 as of 2010. It is one of the North Shore communities that adjoin Lake Michigan and is the home of Northwestern University. The boundaries of the city of Evanston are coterminous with those of the former Evanston Township, which was dissolved in 2014 by voters with its functions being absorbed by the city of Evanston.
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1. The American Toby Jug Museum
2. Cultivate Urban Rainforest & Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
3. Ice House Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
We are a multi-faceted art space offering a Gallery, Artist Studios, Classes, Performances, Classes and more! Featuring local and Evanston-loving artists, we hope to spread a variety of art to Evanston’s variety of people. Anyone can come in and find a piece of art they love, or they can learn to explore their creative side through a class or studio rental. Ice House extends the art it features on the walls to the performance and spoken-word aspect as well with evening events of the non-physical arts. The building was originally an ice house storing massive blocks of ice for the community. Now a totally renovated space, the high ceilings and enormous windows offers a unique experience for the art buyer and admirer alike.
4. Halim Time & Glass Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 75 reviews
The Halim Time & Glass Museum is a world class collection of historic timepieces, stained glass windows, and other decorative arts. Permanent exhibits include the American Stained Glass Masters, The Louis Comfort Tiffany Gallery and Clocks of the World. Our Museum Café Gallery hosts rotating exhibits as will our 3rd floor Special Exhibits Hall when it opens.
Reviewed By Beatriz121
Wow! For being a relatively small museum of 2 floors, they really make great use of the space to show off Mr. Halim's collection of masterpieces. The first floor features beautiful stained glass windows, many of them rescued from churches. The second floor features an array of time pieces from both the US and abroad. I especially liked the small video screens scattered throughout the second floor displays that provided visitors with the ability to see the moving parts of the clocks. The creativity and craftsmanship on display throughout the museum is awesome. Staff members were very welcoming and were happy to answer the questions that I had. Parking is at a premium in the neighborhood. After several laps around the block, I was happy to finally discover the free parking provided by the museum. It is down the alley which is located almost directly across from the museum's main entrance.
5. Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
Focusing exclusively on the history and culture of North American native civilizations, the collections range from the Paleo-Indian period through present day.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
You might expect to find the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian in Denver or Flagstaff or Moab or even Las Vegas. But Evanston, Illinois? Founded in 1977, the Mitchell Museum is one of only a handful of museums across the country that focuses exclusively on the history, culture and arts of Native American and First Nation peoples from throughout the United States and Canada. Located at 3001 Central Street in Chicago's closest northern suburb, its mission is to promote and share a deeper understanding of Native American peoples through the collection, preservation and interpretation of their traditional and contemporary art and culture. The museum's collection of over 9,000 objects includes archaeological, ethnographic and art objects of American Indian and Eskimo people from all time periods, from the Paleo-Indian period to the present day. Permanent exhibits depict the Native American cultures of the Woodlands, Plains, Plateau, Southwest, Northwest Coast and Arctic. In the Woodlands Gallery, see the full-size birchbark canoe, the centerpiece of an exhibit that explores fishing, hunting and gathering among native peoples living east of the Mississippi River. Other interesting exhibits are Great Lakes ice fishing decoys, dolls from throughout North America, 19th and 20th century beadwork from the Northern Plains and Great Lakes regions, baskets from the Great Lakes, Southwest, California and Northwest Coast, Navajo weavings and Arctic stone, ivory and bone carvings.
6. Block Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
The Block Museum of Art is a dynamic, imaginative, and innovative teaching and learning resource for Northwestern University and its surrounding communities, featuring a global exhibition program that crosses time periods and cultures and serves as a springboard for thought-provoking discussions. The Block mounts exhibitions; commissions new work; organizes lectures, symposia, and workshops; and screens classic and contemporary films at its in-house cinema. With over 5,000 artworks, the permanent collection of the Block Museum boasts rich and diverse holdings of prints, drawings, and photography and continues to expand its holdings of works in every medium that that support the museum’s global and interdisciplinary mission. Always free and open to all.
Reviewed By O6378WFannag - Park Ridge, United States
Very nice modern building and an amazing location on university campus and by the Michigan Lake. Very interesting expo.
7. Evanston History Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
The Evanston History Center is located in the National Historic Landmark Charles Gates Dawes House. Dawes was a U.S. Vice President, World War I general, Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Ambassador to the Court of St. James and philanthropist who lived in Evanston, Illinois. It is an intact house museum and includes exhibits on Evanston history and a research room. It is open Thursday through Sunday, for tours on the hour from 1 - 4pm.
Reviewed By ImmerWandern - Palos Heights, United States
The Charles Gates Dawes House was built just over 125 years ago. Prior to my visit I had not been aware of Mr Dawes and his role in IS history. As thoroughly outlined by the reviewer before me, Mr. Charles Gates Dawes was vice president during the term of President Calvin Coolidge. However, even before that, he had had a distinguished career as a lawyer, gas plant executive, banker, and a brigadier general of the American Expeditionary Force during World War One In charge of the general purchasing board. After the war he worked on the allied commission for war reparations. He created what was became known as the Dawes Plan to assist Germany repair its post war economy as well as make payments on the reparations due. He shared in the 1925 Nobel peace prize for this work. He then served as vice president from 1925 to 1929. He lived at his lake shore house until his death in 1951, and after his wife passed away in 1957 the building was handed over to Northwestern University. Now called the Evanston Historical Center, the Charles G. Dawes House is on the list of National Register of Historic Places. We attended an evening musical performance organized to raise money for a nonprofit organization. As such there were no tours offered but the extensive displays were well-labeled and self-explanatory. There was not only a thorough outline of Mr. Gates‘ career but also a history of Evanston itself. The building design is that of a French inspired château style. The interior featured extensive ornate dark wood paneling, coffered ceilings, and furnishings evocative of the early 20th century. Mannikins of women in flapper dress is only added to that ambience. We visited in December and the Christmas decorations gave an additional Currier and Ives feel to the place. I would definitely consider visiting this historic building if in the area.
8. Dave's Down to Earth Rock Shop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Since 1970, Dave's has been providing "Art Created by Mother Nature", to both novice and professional collectors of unique fossils, mineral specimens, Native American Artistry and semi-precious stones, set in fine sterling silver. At Dave's, you'll never be a a loss when looking for that unique gift item for yourself or another. Come on in and check out our "Free Prehistoric Life Museum"!!! It's the largest private collection on display to the general public, and totally free. See you soon!!!
Reviewed By Willwerks - Chicago, United States
Dave's has been around for awhile; I first visited before my oldest was born, now I take her kids there. Just a great place, full of wonderful finds at all price levels. My grandsons have bought many small treasure there, and I have picked up some neat items over the years, too. This is as much a natural history museum as a store, and its staff is always welcoming and ready to answer a kid's question. A must place to visit in Evanston!
9. Frances Willard House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
The Frances Willard House is the 1865 Gothic Revival home of the famed 19th century reformer and women's rights advocate. A museum since 1900, the collection of Frances Willard's furniture and belongings is largely intact. Head of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, Willard organized and led the largest mass movement of women in the country.
