By Anne Jordan, Manager of the Little White School Museum, Oswego, IL

 

Happy Women’s History Month! To celebrate the wonderful women who helped establish Illinois (and the country as a whole), why not spend some time visiting a few women-centered history museums? Listed below are some of the museums in Illinois that are specifically dedicated to women. That’s not to say these are the only museums that talk about women, but these are the ones that stand out because women are the main characters.

 

Jane Addams Hull-House Museum

Starting out in Chicago is one of the best-known female-center museums. Their “About Us” page really does say it all, stating the “Jane Addams Hull-House Museum serves as a dynamic memorial to social reformer Jane Addams, the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, and her colleagues whose work changed the lives of their immigrant neighbors as well as national and international public policy. The Museum preserves and develops the original Hull-House site for the interpretation and continuation of the historic settlement house vision, linking research, education, and social engagement”. It is a definite must-see if you are looking to celebrate women and their histories.

 

Edith Farnsworth House

Located in Plano, the Edith Farnsworth house is a stunning glass home, built by renowned architect Miles van der Rohe and completed in 1951. What’s even more remarkable is that in 2021, during the home’s 70th anniversary, the museum changed its name from the Farnsworth House to the Edith Farnsworth House. Dr. Edith Farnsworth was a prolific doctor during World War II, as well as the original owner of the house, so it was only fitting that the name addresses her properly.

 

The Holt and Stewart Houses

Heading out to Monmouth, there are not 1 but 2 historic houses that are very important to women’s history. In 1867, “Major” Jacob Holt’s home was used by a group of females from Monmouth College as the meeting house for their secret society, I.C. Sorosis, which later became the international women’s fraternity, Pi Beta Phi. Similarly, Mary “Minnie” Stewart’s house, is the site of the Kappa Kappa Gamma’s founding in 1870. Both sites are open for tours and tell the incredible stories of the women who wanted to have the same collegiate opportunities as their male counterparts.

Martin Mitchell Mansion (Pine Craig)

If you go to Naperville, be sure to check out this amazing home, which is part of Naper Settlement. Built in 1883 by George Martin, this historic house defies the norm and focuses its narrative on the women of the Martin family. Caroline Martin Mitchell, the last surviving heir, is the main character of these tours, though her sisters also discussed in length. Another wonderful note about this location is the detail and respect both the home and tours give to another Martin daughter, Elizabeth, who was born with dwarfism.

The Dana-Thomas House

Down in Springfield, there is another museum that chooses to address both the architect of the building as well as the female owner. The Dana-Thomas House (designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1902) allows visitors to learn more about Susan Lawrence Dana, a “forward thinking socialite”, who involved herself in many causes, from equal rights to women, to finding the spiritual truths of the world. This 12,000 square-foot house also features 450 art glass windows, doors and light fixtures designed by Wright himself. You don’t want to miss this tour next time you’re in the state capital. 

 

Schmidt-Burnham Log House

Back in Winnetka, stands the oldest log structure in Cook County! The Schmidt-Burnham Log House was built around 1837 and “discovered” by Chicago artist Anita Willets-Burnham in 1914 while on a painting trip. The museum now displays many of Anita’s paintings and possessions she acquired over the years. A beautiful little museum surrounded by nature sounds like a perfect spot to visit this March!

The Schweiker House

Over in the suburbs of Schaumburg, lies the Schweiker House, which was completed in 1938. While the story of the first owner and architect is interesting on its own, it’s the second owners that are of interest to this article. Martyl Langsdorf, the designer of the Doomsday Clock, and her husband purchased the home in 1953 after she fell in love with the studio. Today the museum masterfully tells the story of both inhabitants, but does pay special attention to Martyl and some of her most beautiful paintings.

 

The Glessner House

In the heart of Chicago stands this magnificent museum that pays its respect to the Glessner family who lived at the estate for 50 years. This location is special because there are 2 women of note who called this place home at one point or another. Frances Macbeth Glessner was heavily involved in many philanthropic organizations around the city, including being a founding member of the first chapter of the D.A.R.. Frances Macbeth's daughter, Frances Glessner Lee, earned her own notoriety when she created her “Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death” miniature crimes scenes and improved the field of Forensic Sciences. 

 

Are there any we missed? Let us know in the comments below!

 

Note: The Center for Women’s History and Leadership as well as the Francis Willard House Museum are not included in this list as they are in the middle of a transition where the CWHL is no longer in control of the Willard House. Both locations are in the process of recentering their missions and business hours.