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
Eden Juron Pearlman
Eden has been the Executive Director of the Evanston History Center since 2005. Before becoming Executive Director of EHC, Eden was EHC’s Curator of Collections beginning in December of 1996.…
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 community events, manages EHC’s academic publications, and works on a…
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…
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…
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: Sharon L. Ephraim
Vice-President, Marketing: Elizabeth Randgaard
Vice-President, Facilities: Michael Girard
Vice-President, Membership: Jenifer McCartney
Secretary: Michael Sullivan
Treasurer: Geoffrey Bonn
Trustees:
Alana Aldort
A. Louis Allred
Morris Fisher, MD
Consuelo (Connie) Gillock
Eduardo Gomez
Cynthia Hoffman
Ross Mathee
Mark McGarvie
Elizabeth Middleton
Katie Tucker Trippi
Susan Turner
Tosha Wilson
Emeriti:
J. Robert (Bob) Barr
Eston Gross
Doug Honnold
Matt Struve