What we’re about
Mission
The mission of the Highland Park Historical Society is to preserve our community’s past, to inspire an appreciation of our history and culture and share with the community and scholars the rich history of Highland Park, Illinois.
The Society is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and is administered by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Society’s operations, exhibits and research collections are housed in the National Register-listed Jean Butz James house.
Museums
The Highland Park Historical Society maintains or preserves three historic structures: the Jean Butz James Museum, the Francis Stupey Cabin and the Robert G. Robinison Bandstand. Click on each image below for more information on each of our sites.
Exhibits and Education
Throughout the year, the Society hosts exhibits, lectures and educational events at our historic sites as well as throughout the community. Educational Field Trips are conducted throughout the year and Teacher Toolkits are available by appointment.
Research Center
The Highland Park Historical Society Archives and Research Center holds approximately 700 cubic feet of research materials. The repository’s collection documents the distinct, diverse community of Highland Park, Illinois and its citizens. The Museum houses a wide variety of items. Some collections of note:
Highland Park City Records; and local collections documenting business, progressive and vocational education in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, cultural life, and photography.
Architecture records of J. Marion Gutnayer and Robert Arnold
Jesse Lowe Smith Photographic Botany Collection
Highland Park Woman’s Club
Ravina Festival programs
Ravinia Artists
Photographs of Highland Park and environs
100 years of Highland Park High School Yearbooks
Oral Histories
Local Artifacts
In 2010 the Society became the recipient of an $86,000 Basic Processing and Preservation Planning Project matching grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, the granting agency of the National Archives and Records Administration. This grant has allowed us to focus on organizing, preserving and making the Collections accessible to the public online.
www.HighlandParkHistory.com
Upcoming events
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•OnlineFinding the Answer with Local Maps with Nancy Webster, Archivist
OnlineHighland Park Historical Society will host on Thursday. October 23, 2025 at 7:00 PM ‘Finding the Answer with Local Maps,’ presented by Nancy Webster, Archivist.
Pinpointing the precise location of an event, building or other location can be a challenge due to changing names, numbers and boundaries. This presentation will share how to use Highland Park and township maps from locally drawn plat books to Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps to complete your research and answer questions.
Nancy Webster began working with historical collections in Highland Park, Illinois in 2010 when she launched the community archives program with a grant from the National Archives’ National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). Since beginning the community archives program in collaboration with the NHPRC, she has written and managed more than $200,000.00 in local and Illinois state grants for digitization and other history and culture projects. She teaches at Dominican University as an adjunct instructor, currently teaching the Advanced Archives seminar. Previously, she worked at the Bentley Library, the Chicago History Museum and Molex Connector Corporation. She received her MILS and BA from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Prior to her 30 year career as an archivist Webster worked as a translator, political science researcher, au pair, waitperson, and bartender. Her years working in restaurants provided a base for this project.
‘Finding the Answer with Local Maps,’ will be presented via Zoom. For further information or a zoom link, please contact the Highland Park Historical Society: 847.432.7090 or archives@highlandparkhistory.org. Admission is free.
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Historical Surprises: When Research Reveals the Unexpected.
Location not specified yetProposal Submission
The Lake County History Symposium is an annual event that unites individuals with a shared passion for delving into the rich tapestry of Lake County. Experience engaging presentations centered on original research from a diverse array of historians ranging from professionals, museums and historical societies, and history enthusiasts.
Arrive curious as we explore the theme, Historical Surprises: When Research Reveals the Unexpected. This year’s topic commemorates the Semiquincentennial–the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
At this moment in time, reflect on the history of our area by discovering the way local historians continue to find unexpected truths and fuller stories to tell through continued research, newly uncovered resources or utilizing newer technology. Presentations will reveal how inquiry can provide surprising results, or how new perspectives can reshape our understanding of the past.
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Professionals, students and enthusiastic historians are invited to submit proposals on or before November 7, 2025.
The Symposium will take place virtually on Zoom, Thursday, January 8 and 15, 2026 from 6:30–8:30 pm.
This year’s theme is Historical Surprises: When Research Reveals the Unexpected.
Each day will feature multiple presentations. Questions and discussion will occur at the end of the presentations for program participants to ask questions and engage in dialogue.
- Presentations should include original historical research on the theme.
- Presentations should be approximately 20-30 minutes long (30 min. max) with additional time for questions.
- Presentations should include a visual presentation, such as a PowerPoint or video.
- Be sure to include a short biography of the presenter(s) and a description of the major primary and secondary sources used in your research. Please remember to attach any supporting documentation or photos. The biography and photos will be used for promotional purposes.
- Dunn Museum staff will review submissions as they come in and will reply when the submission has been received. If your submission is accepted, staff will contact you with additional information on the symposium.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Sarah Salto at ssalto@LCFPD.org or 847-514-6749.
To submit a presentation proposal, please fill out the online form found below by or before November 7, 2025. Early submissions are encouraged!
https://www.lcfpd.org/museum/history-symposium/3 attendees
Past events
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