Evanston History Center
Concerned that much of Evanston’s early history was at risk of being lost with the death of the earliest settlers, a group of 7 residents founded the Evanston History Center (formerly the Evanston Historical Society) in 1898.
In 1942, Charles Gates and Caro Dawes arranged for Northwestern University to hold their house in trust for the Evanston History Center. Evanston History Center moved into the Dawes House in 1960 after Charles and Caro Dawes had both died.
In 1976 the Charles Gates Dawes House was named a National Historic Landmark.
Today, the Center collects, preserves, shares, and interprets the rich history of the City of Evanston through tours, exhibits, educational programs, community events and research facilities.
Staff
Lori Osborne
Lori has been with the Evanston History Center since 2006. Previously she served as EHC’s Director of Archives and Outreach. Additionally she serves as Director of the Frances Willard House…
Jill Kirk
Jill has been with the Evanston History Center since 2013. Jill is responsible for fundraising activities, including annual support, major donors cultivation, and the Capital Campaign to restore the Dawes…
Kris Hartzell
Kris has been with EHC since 2007. Kris directs the preservation and maintenance of the Dawes house, serves as the collections registrar and oversees the artifact collection. She also leads…
Grace Lehner
Grace has been with EHC since 2013 and is responsible for managing the research room and archives, providing reference services, accessioning and describing the collections, and providing research assistance for…
Jenny Thompson, PhD
Jenny has been at the Evanston History Center since 2006. Jenny organizes the Under the Buffalo lecture series and other programs and community events. She manages EHC’s academic publications and…
Erin Hughes
Erin has worked as the Digital Content Manager for the Evanston History Center since 2014. Prior to this role, Erin was the Curator of Collections from 2007 to 2014. Erin…
Suzanne Farrand
Suzanne has been with EHC since 2019 and assists the Director of Archives and manages the research room. This includes helping patrons with research, and retrieving items from the archival…
Rachel Jennens
After volunteering in the collection for over 20 years, Rachel was named Interim Costume Curator 5 years ago, and Costume Curator in January of 2022. She oversees the care and…
Board of Trustees
President: Katie Tucker Trippi
Vice-President, Marketing: Elizabeth Randgaard
Vice-President, Education: Alana Aldort
Vice-President, Facilities and Collections: Michael Girard
Vice-President, Membership: Jenifer McCartney
Secretary: Michael Sullivan
Treasurer: Geoffrey Bonn
Trustees:
A. Louis Allred
Kelly Bush
Jill Berryman Demma
Morris Fisher, MD
Consuelo (Connie) Gillock
Kim Hamilton
Gary Kaufman
Len Koroski
Ross Mathee
Susan Turner
Tosha Wilson
Emeriti:
J. Robert (Bob) Barr
Sharon L. Ephraim
Eston Gross
Doug Honnold
Matt Struve