Artifact and House Collection
The Evanston History Center’s collections document and detail the rich history and growth of the city of Evanston. Our exhibits and research are entirely dependent on these collections.
The artifact collection showcases a diverse range of objects that narrate the many facets of life in Evanston. It includes everything from toys and typewriters to fine china, glass bottles, sports equipment, and furniture, as well as building signs and packaging from local stores.
Primarily composed of 3-D items, the Artifact Collection features architectural fragments, models, paintings, sculptures, costumes, textiles, decorative arts, and more. Access for scholars and researchers is available on a limited basis due to specialized storage and handling requirements. To learn more about visiting the Artifact Collection, email Kris Hartzell at khartzell@evanstonhistorycenter.org.
Interested in donating an item to the Evanston History Center's collection?
The Evanston History Center’s collections are always growing!
The EHC maintains collections that interpret the rich history of the City of Evanston and all its people.
Before an item is accepted into the collection, it is reviewed by curators. Not everything is accepted. Please review our donation criteria. If you think that you have materials to donate to the collection, please contact the EHC about making a donation.
- The Evanston History Center collection is dedicated to Evanston-associated artifacts. Each item contributes to the multi-faceted story of our community and its people.
- We carefully screen and curate our incoming donations before accepting the responsibility of their care. Each of the three collection divisions has a distinct curator. Please contact the appropriate person directly.
- To offer a donation to the artifact collection, or for general questions, please contact Kris Hartzell, Director of Collections.
- To offer a donation to the archives, please contact Grace Lehner, Director of Archives.
- To offer a donation to the costume collection, please contact Rachel Jennens, Costume Curator.