The Evanston History Center’s Archival Collection is extensive and offers a comprehensive view of Evanston over time.
The archives hold a significant amount of material related to people and houses in Evanston. In addition, our staff has years of experience interpreting the primary sources and assisting people with figuring out the stories of their families and their homes.
Research Room Hours
Tuesday - Thursday: 1 - 4 p.m. Saturday: 1- 4 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission
$10 for Non-Members
Free for members and students
Step into the home of Former U.S. Vice President, ambassador to Great Britain, and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Charles Gates Dawes.
Charles Gates Dawes’ magnificent home, now a National Historic Landmark, was built by Dr. Robert Sheppard in 1894 on two acres overlooking Lake Michigan. It served as the Dawes family home from 1909 until 1957.
Faithfully restored and carefully conserved, this chateauesque residence, designed by architect Henry Edwards-Ficken, of New York, has twenty-five rooms, including a cherry paneled library, a vaulted dining room with a musicians’ gallery, six bedrooms, and twelve fireplaces.
House Tour and Exhibition Hours
Thursday – Sunday: Exhibitions & self-guided house tours 1-4 p.m. One-hour docent-led house tour available at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission (includes house tour & exhibitions)
$10 for Non-Members and Students
Free* for members
*House tours are also free for children under 12, and D65 teachers with ID.
URL:https://evanstonhistorycenter.org/event/house-tours-2-2/2026-01-17/ CATEGORIES:House Tours END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260118T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260118T160000 DTSTAMP:20260404T074358 CREATED:20250624T175237Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T143438Z UID:10011959-1768741200-1768752000@evanstonhistorycenter.org SUMMARY:House Tours DESCRIPTION:Step into the home of Former U.S. Vice President, ambassador to Great Britain, and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Charles Gates Dawes.
Charles Gates Dawes’ magnificent home, now a National Historic Landmark, was built by Dr. Robert Sheppard in 1894 on two acres overlooking Lake Michigan. It served as the Dawes family home from 1909 until 1957.
Faithfully restored and carefully conserved, this chateauesque residence, designed by architect Henry Edwards-Ficken, of New York, has twenty-five rooms, including a cherry paneled library, a vaulted dining room with a musicians’ gallery, six bedrooms, and twelve fireplaces.
House Tour and Exhibition Hours
Thursday – Sunday: Exhibitions & self-guided house tours 1-4 p.m. One-hour docent-led house tour available at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission (includes house tour & exhibitions)
$10 for Non-Members and Students
Free* for members
*House tours are also free for children under 12, and D65 teachers with ID.
URL:https://evanstonhistorycenter.org/event/house-tours-2-2/2026-01-18/ CATEGORIES:House Tours END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260120T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260120T160000 DTSTAMP:20260404T074358 CREATED:20250409T031834Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T200345Z UID:10013753-1768914000-1768924800@evanstonhistorycenter.org SUMMARY:Research Room Open DESCRIPTION:The Evanston History Center’s Archival Collection is extensive and offers a comprehensive view of Evanston over time.
The archives hold a significant amount of material related to people and houses in Evanston. In addition, our staff has years of experience interpreting the primary sources and assisting people with figuring out the stories of their families and their homes.
Research Room Hours
Tuesday - Thursday: 1 - 4 p.m. Saturday: 1- 4 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission
$10 for Non-Members
Free for members and students
The Evanston History Center’s Archival Collection is extensive and offers a comprehensive view of Evanston over time.
The archives hold a significant amount of material related to people and houses in Evanston. In addition, our staff has years of experience interpreting the primary sources and assisting people with figuring out the stories of their families and their homes.
Research Room Hours
Tuesday - Thursday: 1 - 4 p.m. Saturday: 1- 4 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission
$10 for Non-Members
Free for members and students
The Evanston History Center’s Archival Collection is extensive and offers a comprehensive view of Evanston over time.
The archives hold a significant amount of material related to people and houses in Evanston. In addition, our staff has years of experience interpreting the primary sources and assisting people with figuring out the stories of their families and their homes.
Research Room Hours
Tuesday - Thursday: 1 - 4 p.m. Saturday: 1- 4 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission
$10 for Non-Members
Free for members and students
Step into the home of Former U.S. Vice President, ambassador to Great Britain, and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Charles Gates Dawes.
Charles Gates Dawes’ magnificent home, now a National Historic Landmark, was built by Dr. Robert Sheppard in 1894 on two acres overlooking Lake Michigan. It served as the Dawes family home from 1909 until 1957.
Faithfully restored and carefully conserved, this chateauesque residence, designed by architect Henry Edwards-Ficken, of New York, has twenty-five rooms, including a cherry paneled library, a vaulted dining room with a musicians’ gallery, six bedrooms, and twelve fireplaces.
House Tour and Exhibition Hours
Thursday – Sunday: Exhibitions & self-guided house tours 1-4 p.m. One-hour docent-led house tour available at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission (includes house tour & exhibitions)
$10 for Non-Members and Students
Free* for members
*House tours are also free for children under 12, and D65 teachers with ID.
URL:https://evanstonhistorycenter.org/event/house-tours-2-2/2026-01-22/ CATEGORIES:House Tours END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260124T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260124T160000 DTSTAMP:20260404T074358 CREATED:20250409T031834Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T200345Z UID:10012793-1769259600-1769270400@evanstonhistorycenter.org SUMMARY:Research Room Open DESCRIPTION:The Evanston History Center’s Archival Collection is extensive and offers a comprehensive view of Evanston over time.
The archives hold a significant amount of material related to people and houses in Evanston. In addition, our staff has years of experience interpreting the primary sources and assisting people with figuring out the stories of their families and their homes.
Research Room Hours
Tuesday - Thursday: 1 - 4 p.m. Saturday: 1- 4 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission
$10 for Non-Members
Free for members and students
Step into the home of Former U.S. Vice President, ambassador to Great Britain, and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Charles Gates Dawes.
Charles Gates Dawes’ magnificent home, now a National Historic Landmark, was built by Dr. Robert Sheppard in 1894 on two acres overlooking Lake Michigan. It served as the Dawes family home from 1909 until 1957.
Faithfully restored and carefully conserved, this chateauesque residence, designed by architect Henry Edwards-Ficken, of New York, has twenty-five rooms, including a cherry paneled library, a vaulted dining room with a musicians’ gallery, six bedrooms, and twelve fireplaces.
House Tour and Exhibition Hours
Thursday – Sunday: Exhibitions & self-guided house tours 1-4 p.m. One-hour docent-led house tour available at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission (includes house tour & exhibitions)
$10 for Non-Members and Students
Free* for members
*House tours are also free for children under 12, and D65 teachers with ID.
URL:https://evanstonhistorycenter.org/event/house-tours-2-2/2026-01-24/ CATEGORIES:House Tours END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260125T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260125T160000 DTSTAMP:20260404T074358 CREATED:20250624T175237Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T143438Z UID:10011962-1769346000-1769356800@evanstonhistorycenter.org SUMMARY:House Tours DESCRIPTION:Step into the home of Former U.S. Vice President, ambassador to Great Britain, and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Charles Gates Dawes.
Charles Gates Dawes’ magnificent home, now a National Historic Landmark, was built by Dr. Robert Sheppard in 1894 on two acres overlooking Lake Michigan. It served as the Dawes family home from 1909 until 1957.
Faithfully restored and carefully conserved, this chateauesque residence, designed by architect Henry Edwards-Ficken, of New York, has twenty-five rooms, including a cherry paneled library, a vaulted dining room with a musicians’ gallery, six bedrooms, and twelve fireplaces.
House Tour and Exhibition Hours
Thursday – Sunday: Exhibitions & self-guided house tours 1-4 p.m. One-hour docent-led house tour available at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission (includes house tour & exhibitions)
$10 for Non-Members and Students
Free* for members
*House tours are also free for children under 12, and D65 teachers with ID.
URL:https://evanstonhistorycenter.org/event/house-tours-2-2/2026-01-25/ CATEGORIES:House Tours END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260127T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260127T160000 DTSTAMP:20260404T074358 CREATED:20250409T031834Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T200345Z UID:10013755-1769518800-1769529600@evanstonhistorycenter.org SUMMARY:Research Room Open DESCRIPTION:The Evanston History Center’s Archival Collection is extensive and offers a comprehensive view of Evanston over time.
The archives hold a significant amount of material related to people and houses in Evanston. In addition, our staff has years of experience interpreting the primary sources and assisting people with figuring out the stories of their families and their homes.
Research Room Hours
Tuesday - Thursday: 1 - 4 p.m. Saturday: 1- 4 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission
$10 for Non-Members
Free for members and students
The Evanston History Center’s Archival Collection is extensive and offers a comprehensive view of Evanston over time.
The archives hold a significant amount of material related to people and houses in Evanston. In addition, our staff has years of experience interpreting the primary sources and assisting people with figuring out the stories of their families and their homes.
Research Room Hours
Tuesday - Thursday: 1 - 4 p.m. Saturday: 1- 4 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission
$10 for Non-Members
Free for members and students
The Evanston History Center’s Archival Collection is extensive and offers a comprehensive view of Evanston over time.
The archives hold a significant amount of material related to people and houses in Evanston. In addition, our staff has years of experience interpreting the primary sources and assisting people with figuring out the stories of their families and their homes.
Research Room Hours
Tuesday - Thursday: 1 - 4 p.m. Saturday: 1- 4 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission
$10 for Non-Members
Free for members and students
Step into the home of Former U.S. Vice President, ambassador to Great Britain, and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Charles Gates Dawes.
Charles Gates Dawes’ magnificent home, now a National Historic Landmark, was built by Dr. Robert Sheppard in 1894 on two acres overlooking Lake Michigan. It served as the Dawes family home from 1909 until 1957.
Faithfully restored and carefully conserved, this chateauesque residence, designed by architect Henry Edwards-Ficken, of New York, has twenty-five rooms, including a cherry paneled library, a vaulted dining room with a musicians’ gallery, six bedrooms, and twelve fireplaces.
House Tour and Exhibition Hours
Thursday – Sunday: Exhibitions & self-guided house tours 1-4 p.m. One-hour docent-led house tour available at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission (includes house tour & exhibitions)
$10 for Non-Members and Students
Free* for members
*House tours are also free for children under 12, and D65 teachers with ID.
URL:https://evanstonhistorycenter.org/event/house-tours-2-2/2026-01-29/ CATEGORIES:House Tours END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260130T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260130T160000 DTSTAMP:20260404T074358 CREATED:20250624T175237Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T143438Z UID:10014873-1769778000-1769788800@evanstonhistorycenter.org SUMMARY:House Tours DESCRIPTION:Step into the home of Former U.S. Vice President, ambassador to Great Britain, and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Charles Gates Dawes.
Charles Gates Dawes’ magnificent home, now a National Historic Landmark, was built by Dr. Robert Sheppard in 1894 on two acres overlooking Lake Michigan. It served as the Dawes family home from 1909 until 1957.
Faithfully restored and carefully conserved, this chateauesque residence, designed by architect Henry Edwards-Ficken, of New York, has twenty-five rooms, including a cherry paneled library, a vaulted dining room with a musicians’ gallery, six bedrooms, and twelve fireplaces.
House Tour and Exhibition Hours
Thursday – Sunday: Exhibitions & self-guided house tours 1-4 p.m. One-hour docent-led house tour available at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission (includes house tour & exhibitions)
$10 for Non-Members and Students
Free* for members
*House tours are also free for children under 12, and D65 teachers with ID.
URL:https://evanstonhistorycenter.org/event/house-tours-2-2/2026-01-30/ CATEGORIES:House Tours END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260131T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260131T160000 DTSTAMP:20260404T074358 CREATED:20250409T031834Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T200345Z UID:10012797-1769864400-1769875200@evanstonhistorycenter.org SUMMARY:Research Room Open DESCRIPTION:The Evanston History Center’s Archival Collection is extensive and offers a comprehensive view of Evanston over time.
The archives hold a significant amount of material related to people and houses in Evanston. In addition, our staff has years of experience interpreting the primary sources and assisting people with figuring out the stories of their families and their homes.
Research Room Hours
Tuesday - Thursday: 1 - 4 p.m. Saturday: 1- 4 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission
$10 for Non-Members
Free for members and students
Step into the home of Former U.S. Vice President, ambassador to Great Britain, and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Charles Gates Dawes.
Charles Gates Dawes’ magnificent home, now a National Historic Landmark, was built by Dr. Robert Sheppard in 1894 on two acres overlooking Lake Michigan. It served as the Dawes family home from 1909 until 1957.
Faithfully restored and carefully conserved, this chateauesque residence, designed by architect Henry Edwards-Ficken, of New York, has twenty-five rooms, including a cherry paneled library, a vaulted dining room with a musicians’ gallery, six bedrooms, and twelve fireplaces.
House Tour and Exhibition Hours
Thursday – Sunday: Exhibitions & self-guided house tours 1-4 p.m. One-hour docent-led house tour available at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission (includes house tour & exhibitions)
$10 for Non-Members and Students
Free* for members
*House tours are also free for children under 12, and D65 teachers with ID.
URL:https://evanstonhistorycenter.org/event/house-tours-2-2/2026-01-31/ CATEGORIES:House Tours END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260201T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260201T160000 DTSTAMP:20260404T074358 CREATED:20250624T175237Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T143438Z UID:10011965-1769950800-1769961600@evanstonhistorycenter.org SUMMARY:House Tours DESCRIPTION:Step into the home of Former U.S. Vice President, ambassador to Great Britain, and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Charles Gates Dawes.
Charles Gates Dawes’ magnificent home, now a National Historic Landmark, was built by Dr. Robert Sheppard in 1894 on two acres overlooking Lake Michigan. It served as the Dawes family home from 1909 until 1957.
Faithfully restored and carefully conserved, this chateauesque residence, designed by architect Henry Edwards-Ficken, of New York, has twenty-five rooms, including a cherry paneled library, a vaulted dining room with a musicians’ gallery, six bedrooms, and twelve fireplaces.
House Tour and Exhibition Hours
Thursday – Sunday: Exhibitions & self-guided house tours 1-4 p.m. One-hour docent-led house tour available at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission (includes house tour & exhibitions)
$10 for Non-Members and Students
Free* for members
*House tours are also free for children under 12, and D65 teachers with ID.
URL:https://evanstonhistorycenter.org/event/house-tours-2-2/2026-02-01/ CATEGORIES:House Tours END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260203T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260203T160000 DTSTAMP:20260404T074358 CREATED:20250409T031834Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T200345Z UID:10013757-1770123600-1770134400@evanstonhistorycenter.org SUMMARY:Research Room Open DESCRIPTION:The Evanston History Center’s Archival Collection is extensive and offers a comprehensive view of Evanston over time.
The archives hold a significant amount of material related to people and houses in Evanston. In addition, our staff has years of experience interpreting the primary sources and assisting people with figuring out the stories of their families and their homes.
Research Room Hours
Tuesday - Thursday: 1 - 4 p.m. Saturday: 1- 4 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission
$10 for Non-Members
Free for members and students
Morris E. Robinson Jr. is the author of A Place We Can Call Our Home (1996), Through the Eyes of Us (1998), the first edition of Gatherings (2004), and A Decade to Remember (2023, Shorefront Press). Robinson’s work in gathering oral histories, artifacts, and documents since 1995 led to his founding of Shorefront in 2002 and the Shorefront Legacy Center in 2010, an archive and research center that documents the local Black communities along
Gatherings is a publication of Shorefront Press.
This in-person event will also be available on Facebook Live and recorded for those who cannot attend in person.
Through our community's generosity, we can offer these free programs! Please consider donating $10 to support our ongoing free public programming.
Please click the blue "Going" button below to RSVP. A confirmation email will be sent to the email you registered with.
If you don't receive a confirmation email, please email Erin Hughes at ehughes@evanstonhistorycenter.org.
URL:https://evanstonhistorycenter.org/event/talksehc-gatherings-the-history-and-activities-of-the-emerson-branch-ymca/
LOCATION:Evanston History Center\, 225 Greenwood Street\, Evanston\, IL\, 60201\, United States
CATEGORIES:Talks@EHC,Upcoming Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://evanstonhistorycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Gatherings26Simple.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260204T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260204T160000
DTSTAMP:20260404T074358
CREATED:20250409T031834Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T200345Z
UID:10013758-1770210000-1770220800@evanstonhistorycenter.org
SUMMARY:Research Room Open
DESCRIPTION:The Evanston History Center’s Archival Collection is extensive and offers a comprehensive view of Evanston over time.
The archives hold a significant amount of material related to people and houses in Evanston. In addition, our staff has years of experience interpreting the primary sources and assisting people with figuring out the stories of their families and their homes.
Research Room Hours
Tuesday - Thursday: 1 - 4 p.m. Saturday: 1- 4 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission
$10 for Non-Members
Free for members and students
The Evanston History Center’s Archival Collection is extensive and offers a comprehensive view of Evanston over time.
The archives hold a significant amount of material related to people and houses in Evanston. In addition, our staff has years of experience interpreting the primary sources and assisting people with figuring out the stories of their families and their homes.
Research Room Hours
Tuesday - Thursday: 1 - 4 p.m. Saturday: 1- 4 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission
$10 for Non-Members
Free for members and students
Step into the home of Former U.S. Vice President, ambassador to Great Britain, and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Charles Gates Dawes.
Charles Gates Dawes’ magnificent home, now a National Historic Landmark, was built by Dr. Robert Sheppard in 1894 on two acres overlooking Lake Michigan. It served as the Dawes family home from 1909 until 1957.
Faithfully restored and carefully conserved, this chateauesque residence, designed by architect Henry Edwards-Ficken, of New York, has twenty-five rooms, including a cherry paneled library, a vaulted dining room with a musicians’ gallery, six bedrooms, and twelve fireplaces.
House Tour and Exhibition Hours
Thursday – Sunday: Exhibitions & self-guided house tours 1-4 p.m. One-hour docent-led house tour available at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission (includes house tour & exhibitions)
$10 for Non-Members and Students
Free* for members
*House tours are also free for children under 12, and D65 teachers with ID.
URL:https://evanstonhistorycenter.org/event/house-tours-2-2/2026-02-05/ CATEGORIES:House Tours END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260206T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260206T160000 DTSTAMP:20260404T074358 CREATED:20250624T175237Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T143438Z UID:10014875-1770382800-1770393600@evanstonhistorycenter.org SUMMARY:House Tours DESCRIPTION:Step into the home of Former U.S. Vice President, ambassador to Great Britain, and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Charles Gates Dawes.
Charles Gates Dawes’ magnificent home, now a National Historic Landmark, was built by Dr. Robert Sheppard in 1894 on two acres overlooking Lake Michigan. It served as the Dawes family home from 1909 until 1957.
Faithfully restored and carefully conserved, this chateauesque residence, designed by architect Henry Edwards-Ficken, of New York, has twenty-five rooms, including a cherry paneled library, a vaulted dining room with a musicians’ gallery, six bedrooms, and twelve fireplaces.
House Tour and Exhibition Hours
Thursday – Sunday: Exhibitions & self-guided house tours 1-4 p.m. One-hour docent-led house tour available at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission (includes house tour & exhibitions)
$10 for Non-Members and Students
Free* for members
*House tours are also free for children under 12, and D65 teachers with ID.
URL:https://evanstonhistorycenter.org/event/house-tours-2-2/2026-02-06/ CATEGORIES:House Tours END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260206T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260206T203000 DTSTAMP:20260404T074358 CREATED:20250917T193043Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260205T171433Z UID:10015483-1770404400-1770409800@evanstonhistorycenter.org SUMMARY:Ragtime Pianist Reginald Robinson DESCRIPTION:Virtuoso Ragtime Pianist Reginald Robinson Friday, February 6, 7:00pm SOLD OUT In-person event At the Evanston History Center 225 Greenwood St, Evanston, IL Back by popular demand after a mesmerizing sold-out concert in 2025!Experience the brilliance of MacArthur “Genius” Award–winning pianist Reginald R. Robinson, a virtuoso celebrated worldwide for his groundbreaking ragtime compositions and his dedication to preserving African American history through this uniquely American art form.
In this unforgettable evening, Robinson will perform a captivating mix of ragtime classics and original works—woven together with fascinating historical insights—inside the atmospheric Dawes House. Adding to the magic, the program will be performed on one of the mansion’s greatest treasures: a rare Steinway concert grand piano built for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.
Seating is limited—secure your tickets today for a night of music and history you won’t want to miss.
About the artist: Reginald Robinson is a virtuoso ragtime pianist, performing in concerts, lectures and collaborative arts programming. His compositions are featured on five albums, as well as in theater and film. In 2004, Robinson was awarded the rare and distinguished John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Award for his innovative ragtime piano works and music research. The independent film Compensation (2000), for which Robinson scored the ragtime piano soundtrack, was recently inducted into the National Film Registry in 2024. In addition to performing, Robinson is internationally known for his lectures at colleges and universities, which have aided in preserving the legacy of African American history. All tickets are general seating. URL:https://evanstonhistorycenter.org/event/ragtime-pianist-reginald-robinson/ LOCATION:Evanston History Center\, 225 Greenwood Street\, Evanston\, IL\, 60201\, United States CATEGORIES:Concerts,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://evanstonhistorycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Robinson2026.png ORGANIZER;CN="Evanston History Center":MAILTO:kfabian@evanstonhistorycenter.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260207T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260207T160000 DTSTAMP:20260404T074358 CREATED:20250409T031834Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T200345Z UID:10012801-1770469200-1770480000@evanstonhistorycenter.org SUMMARY:Research Room Open DESCRIPTION:The Evanston History Center’s Archival Collection is extensive and offers a comprehensive view of Evanston over time.
The archives hold a significant amount of material related to people and houses in Evanston. In addition, our staff has years of experience interpreting the primary sources and assisting people with figuring out the stories of their families and their homes.
Research Room Hours
Tuesday - Thursday: 1 - 4 p.m. Saturday: 1- 4 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission
$10 for Non-Members
Free for members and students
Step into the home of Former U.S. Vice President, ambassador to Great Britain, and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Charles Gates Dawes.
Charles Gates Dawes’ magnificent home, now a National Historic Landmark, was built by Dr. Robert Sheppard in 1894 on two acres overlooking Lake Michigan. It served as the Dawes family home from 1909 until 1957.
Faithfully restored and carefully conserved, this chateauesque residence, designed by architect Henry Edwards-Ficken, of New York, has twenty-five rooms, including a cherry paneled library, a vaulted dining room with a musicians’ gallery, six bedrooms, and twelve fireplaces.
House Tour and Exhibition Hours
Thursday – Sunday: Exhibitions & self-guided house tours 1-4 p.m. One-hour docent-led house tour available at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission (includes house tour & exhibitions)
$10 for Non-Members and Students
Free* for members
*House tours are also free for children under 12, and D65 teachers with ID.
URL:https://evanstonhistorycenter.org/event/house-tours-2-2/2026-02-07/ CATEGORIES:House Tours END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260208T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260208T160000 DTSTAMP:20260404T074358 CREATED:20250624T175237Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T143438Z UID:10011968-1770555600-1770566400@evanstonhistorycenter.org SUMMARY:House Tours DESCRIPTION:Step into the home of Former U.S. Vice President, ambassador to Great Britain, and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Charles Gates Dawes.
Charles Gates Dawes’ magnificent home, now a National Historic Landmark, was built by Dr. Robert Sheppard in 1894 on two acres overlooking Lake Michigan. It served as the Dawes family home from 1909 until 1957.
Faithfully restored and carefully conserved, this chateauesque residence, designed by architect Henry Edwards-Ficken, of New York, has twenty-five rooms, including a cherry paneled library, a vaulted dining room with a musicians’ gallery, six bedrooms, and twelve fireplaces.
House Tour and Exhibition Hours
Thursday – Sunday: Exhibitions & self-guided house tours 1-4 p.m. One-hour docent-led house tour available at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission (includes house tour & exhibitions)
$10 for Non-Members and Students
Free* for members
*House tours are also free for children under 12, and D65 teachers with ID.
URL:https://evanstonhistorycenter.org/event/house-tours-2-2/2026-02-08/ CATEGORIES:House Tours END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260210T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260210T160000 DTSTAMP:20260404T074358 CREATED:20250409T031834Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T200345Z UID:10013759-1770728400-1770739200@evanstonhistorycenter.org SUMMARY:Research Room Open DESCRIPTION:The Evanston History Center’s Archival Collection is extensive and offers a comprehensive view of Evanston over time.
The archives hold a significant amount of material related to people and houses in Evanston. In addition, our staff has years of experience interpreting the primary sources and assisting people with figuring out the stories of their families and their homes.
Research Room Hours
Tuesday - Thursday: 1 - 4 p.m. Saturday: 1- 4 p.m.
Reservations are not required. Check for any upcoming closures.
Holiday Hours
The Evanston History Center is closed in observance of the following holidays: – New Year’s Day – MLK Day – Memorial Day – Juneteenth – Independence Day – Labor Day – Indigenous Peoples Day – Veterans Day – Thanksgiving – Christmas 12/23-12/25 – New Years 12/30-1/1
Please check our calendar for other upcoming closures.
Admission
$10 for Non-Members
Free for members and students
URL:https://evanstonhistorycenter.org/event/curiosity-cafe-draining-evanston/
LOCATION:Evanston History Center\, 225 Greenwood Street\, Evanston\, IL\, 60201\, United States
CATEGORIES:Upcoming Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://evanstonhistorycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/FebCafeSimple.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Evanston History Center":MAILTO:kfabian@evanstonhistorycenter.org
END:VEVENT
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