Geneva History Museum

Annual Geneva Giving Trees Display
2023-11-21 - 2024-01-01
Walk through downtown Geneva and visit the various Christmas trees decorated by local nonprofit organizations. Vote for your favorite online or in person at the museum. Voting continues through January 1, 2024. The organization that gets the most dollar votes for their tree will receive 100% of their proceeds, the others will split their votes with the museum.

18th Century Crèche Display Opens
2023-11-21 - 2023-12-23
Come to the museum to marvel at our 18th century nativity scene, originally displayed at The Little Traveler since the 1930s. Display will be open through December 23.

Freya's Farewell & Winter Solstice
2023-12-21 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Geneva History Museum, 113 South Third Street, Geneva, IL, 60134, United States
Join us from 7-8:30 PM, Thursday, December 21 at the Geneva History Museum for Freya’s Farewell, a final celebration of the immensely successful “Viking’s Voyage” exhibition. This event will take place on the actual date of the Winter Solstice, which was celebrated each year by the ancient Viking Yule festivities. Taste Viking style snacks and beverages, pose for a photo with costumed Viking reenactors ,and enjoy a final visit to the gallery exhibition before it closes. If you dare, frolic under the mistletoe or make a public announcement of your New Year’s resolutions, just like the ancient Vikings did.
The highlight of the evening will be the formal presentation of 8 handmade, museum quality replica Viking shields by Eagle rank Boy Scout Erik Longo, who organized a team of 15 other Scouts for this outstanding year-long public service project. These beautiful shields will be displayed along with the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition Viking Ship in Good Templar Park.
Please REGISTER HERE for this FREE Museum & Friends of the Viking Ship Member Event

VIP/Members Only Exhibition Preview
2024-02-09 17:00 - 19:00
Saving Fabyan’s Legacy: The Darlene Larson Story – VIP/Members Only Exhibition Reception
5 -7 PM, Friday, February 9
One of the many benefits of membership – join us and be the first to preview this new exhibition. Refreshments will be served, reservations required. Recognition and brief presentation from the Larson family at 6 PM.
THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT

Friends of Fabyan Panel
2024-02-13 12:00 - 13:00
Come hear personal stories from some of the people who worked with Darlene Larson on Fabyan estate projects. Attendees will also be able to add their stories as well as ask questions from the panel.
REGISTER HERE

Who Was Nelle Fabyan?
2024-03-12 12:00 - 13:00
Celebrate Women’s History Month with a talk on the woman behind Colonel George Fabyan, including her accomplishments and the legacy she left behind. Presented by GHM Executive Director, Terry Emma.
REGISTER HERE

The History of South Third Street
2024-04-09 12:00 - 13:00
Learn about Geneva’s South Third Street including its evolution from residential to retail. Presented by GHM Educator, Heidi Howlett.
REGISTER HERE

Cryptanalyst-in-Chief: Elizebeth Smith Friedman
2024-05-14 12:00 - 13:00
Elizebeth Smith Friedman was a pioneer in code-breaking and one of the nation’s foremost cryptanalysts. She took down smuggling syndicates during Prohibition, broke enigma codes in WWII, and caught Nazi spies in South America. She and her husband, William Friedman, practically invented their field overnight. Learn about her start at the fabulous Geneva estate of Colonel George Fabyan, the eccentric millionaire, and how her research led to the start of the NSA. Presented by Vivien Lasken, Director of the Fabyan Villa Museum and Japanese Garden.
REGISTER HERE

Team Trivia
2024-05-23 18:00 - 20:00 | Penrose Brewing Company, 509 Stevens Street, Geneva, IL, 60134, United States
Join us for a fun-filled evening of brain-teasing questions and great beer at Penrose Brewing Company! Test your knowledge in four rounds of different topics (one round Geneva history) while enjoying delicious brews and good food with friends. Prizes will be awarded to the winning team, most creative team name and best costumes, so round up your smartest pals and show off your trivia skills. Don’t miss out on this exciting event to raise funds for the Geneva History Museum!
6-8 PM, Thursday, May 23, 2024
Penrose Brewing Company, 509 Stevens Street, Geneva
$100/team of four – Includes four drink tickets and swag bags for each team member with coupons and goodies from the museum’s Sterling Society partners. Pre-registration is required.
6:00 – 6:30 – Check-In
6:30 – 7:30 – Trivia Contest
Four rounds of topics with one round Geneva history specific
7:30 – 50/50 Raffle Winner Announced
PRIZES
Highest Score – Four $25 gift cards to Ella’s Italian Pub
Most Creative Team Name – Four $10 shop Geneva gift cards from the Geneva Chamber of Commerce (Submit team name at event check-in)
Best Team Costumes – Four $10 gift cards to the Gift Shop, image store or research at the Geneva History Museum

PRE-ORDER ONLY
Food must be pre-ordered with online registration or by calling Geneva History Museum by May 20.
Roman Style 8”x12” Pan Pizzas from Ella’s Italian Pub, pick-up at event check-in
Ella’s Farmhouse Pie $23
House Tomato Sauce | Sausage | Pepperoni | Mushrooms | Oregano | Basil | Fresh Mozzarella | House Cheese Blend
Simple Tomato Pie $18
House Tomato Sauce | EVOO | Basil | Fresh Mozzarella | House Cheese Blend
Smoked BBQ Chicken Pie $22
Calabrian BBQ Sauce | Smoked Chicken | Bacon | Basil | Fresh Mozzarella | House Cheese Blend | Red Onion | Cilantro
Onion Dip + House Chips $11
House made French Onion Dip | Chives

PRE-ORDER & PURCHASE AT THE EVENT
Beer Ticket $7 (4 included with team registration)
Soft Drink $5
Bottled Water $2
Mulligan $10 (earn a point for no answer, maximum two per team)
50/50 raffle $20

The Fabyan Windmill
2024-09-10 14:00 - 15:00 | Geneva History Museum, 113 South Third Street, Geneva, IL, 60134, United States
Learn all about the Fabyan windmill including its history and function. Presented by Mark Rivecco, a volunteer miller for the Fabyan windmill. This is a “2nd Tuesday @ 2PM” program and includes admission to the museum’s Feature Gallery exhibition “Saving Fabyan’s Legacy: The Darlene Larson Story” highlighting how one woman’s passion started the restoration of the former Fabyan estate.
REGISTER HERE

Cemetery Restoration Project
2024-10-08 14:00 - 15:00 | Geneva History Museum, 113 South Third Street, Geneva, IL, 60134, United States
GHM Educator, Heidi Howlett, will share an update about the ongoing restoration of West Side Cemetery. Over 500 stones have been either cleaned or restored since the project began in 2020. This is a “2nd Tuesday @ 2PM” program and includes admission to the museum’s Feature Gallery “Saving Fabyan’s Legacy: The Darlene Larson Story” highlighting how one woman’s passion started the restoration efforts of the former Fabyan estate.
REGISTER HERE

Oak Hill Cemetery Walk - 10 AM
2024-10-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Oak Hill Cemetery, Route 25, Geneva, IL, 60134, United States
Explore Geneva’s east-side cemetery on Route 25. Learn the meanings of markings on tombstones and stories of prominent settlers. Meet at cemetery, rain or shine.
REGISTER HERE

West Side Cemetery Walk - 12 PM
2024-10-12 12:00 - 13:00 | WestSide Cemetery, 301 Stevens Street, Geneva, IL, 60134, United States
Explore Geneva’s oldest cemetery on Stevens Street. Learn the meanings of markings on tombstones and stories of prominent settlers. Also learn about the recent restoration efforts by our Museum Educator and volunteers. Meet at cemetery, rain or shine.
REGISTER HERE

West Side Cemetery Walk - 2 PM
2024-10-12 14:00 - 15:00 | WestSide Cemetery, 301 Stevens Street, Geneva, IL, 60134, United States

Ghost Walks 2, 4, 6 & 8 PM
2024-10-26 14:00 - 20:00 | Geneva History Museum, 113 South Third Street, Geneva, IL, 60134, United States
Where is the most haunted spot in downtown Geneva? Join us for ghostly tales shared through a 45-minute guided walking tour of historic downtown Geneva. Stories include the faceless, handless man, the mystery of the piano teacher’s music playing in a house and the haunted courthouse. Tours start at the museum, rain or shine.
REGISTER at the links below:
2 PM GHOST WALK
4 PM GHOST WALK
6 PM GHOST WALK
8 PM GHOST WALK

Eden on the Fox: The Fabyan Japanese Garden
2024-11-12 14:00 - 15:00 | Geneva History Museum, 113 South Third Street, Geneva, IL, 60134, United States
Learn the history of the Japanese Garden in the Fabyan Forest Preserve. Presented by Vivien Lassen, Director of the Fabyan Villa Museum and Japanese Garden. This is a “2nd Tuesday @ 2 PM” program and includes admission to the museum’s Feature Gallery, “Saving Fabyan’s Legacy: The Darlene Larson Story” highlighting how one woman’s passion started the restoration of the former Fabyan estate.
REGISTER HERE

Annual Members Meeting & Celebration
2024-12-16 17:00 - 18:30 | Geneva History Museum, 113 South Third Street, Geneva, IL, 60134, United States
Members only private meeting and party to elect board members and to celebrate the museum’s accomplishments. Wine and light refreshments will be served along with a fun game to end the evening. Special 20% off Gift Shop discount for attendees.
REGISTER HERE

Trivia Night Fundraiser
2025-01-16 18:00 - 20:00
Compete in four trivia rounds (one round Geneva history) while enjoying delicious food with friends. Prizes will be awarded to the winning team, most creative team name and best costumes, so round up your smartest pals and show off your trivia skills. Don’t miss out on this exciting fundraiser! Teams of up to 8 people. Registration required and includes appetizer buffet, soft drinks and water. Cash bar and 50/50 raffle at the event.
REGISTER HERE

VIP/Members Only Exhibition Preview Celebration
2025-02-07 17:00 - 19:00
Be the first to see the latest Feature Gallery exhibition “Eat Your Heart Out Geneva” – an exploration of Geneva’s historic restaurants. Enjoy appetizers and wine while you explore this exhibition. Special presentation at 6 PM featuring restaurant critic, Izzy Kharasch of Hospitality Works Inc.
REGISTER HERE

Restaurant Roundtable
2025-02-11 14:00 - 15:00
Geneva’s seasoned restaurant owners come together to share insights and stories from the world of hospitality. From managing daily operations to cultivating community connections, this discussion offers a look at the challenges and joys of owning a restaurant in Geneva. Registration recommended, $5/person, free for museum members.
REGISTER HERE

A Brief History of The Girls School
2025-03-11 14:00 - 15:00
Museum Educator, Heidi Howlett, will present a history of the Illinois State Training School for Girls that was once located in Geneva. Reservations recommended, $5/person, free for museum members.
THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT!

Reagan Comes to Geneva
2025-04-08 14:00 - 15:00
In April 1982, President Ronald Reagan visited an eighth grade class at St. Peter’s Catholic School. GHM will share the story of his visit along with a panel of former Geneva Republican reporters and a few of those eighth grader students.
REGISTER HERE

Genevans Held Hostage
2025-05-13 14:00 - 15:00
Forty years ago four parishioners and the pastor of St. Peter’s Catholic Church were taken hostage on TWA Flight 847. Learn the timeline of those 17 days that later became a made-for-television movie. Registration recommended, $5/person, free for museum members.
REGISTER HERE

Swedish Days Trolley Tours
2025-06-18 12:00 - 2025-06-20 16:00
Friday tours are cancelled due to the trolley having mechanical issues.
We apologize for the inconvenience. Check back next year.
Hop on board our trolley during Swedish Days and enjoy a 35-minute* guided tour of historic downtown Geneva with stories of restaurants to coincide with our current Feature Exhibition “Eat Your Heart Out Geneva.” Tours leave each hour, on the hour, between 12 and 4 pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, June 18th, 19th & 20th. Tour includes all-day admission to the Geneva History Museum and a swag bag full of offers and coupons from museum partners. All proceeds benefit the Geneva History Museum.
Register here to reserve your spot or stop by the booth during Swedish Days at the corner of South Third and Campbell Streets.
(time of tour is an estimate, length depends on traffic and stoplights)

Historic House Tour
2025-07-20 12:00 - 16:00
Explore four homes in downtown Geneva and learn their history, who built them and stories of people who lived in them. Enjoy this rare opportunity to walk through the homes and explore their unique character. Tickets include tours of all four homes and a church, admission to the Geneva History Museum that day, and a swag bag full of coupons and offers from museum partners – $45/person. Registration is required and can be made here online, at the Geneva History Museum, 113 South Third Street, Geneva, or call 630-232-4951.
Park your car and walk to all four homes, then explore downtown Geneva and use your swag bag coupons to shop and dine.
Tickets can be picked up at the Geneva History Museum now with summer hours of 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Tuesdays thru Saturdays, and on the day of the tour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Homes on the Tour

601 South Street – An “upright and wing house” built in 1871 as a one-story cabin.

227 North Third Street – Built in 1854 for Jason H. House who was a blacksmith and Civil War veteran.

201 Ford Street – Built in 1854 by John Chambers, a carpenter.

522 Fulton Street – An example of a “Shingle Style” home, a distinctly American type of construction built in 1907 for the William and Bessie Cannon family.

BONUS tour!
320 Franklin Street/St. Mark’s Episcopal Church – Built in 1868, was designed at the height of the Gothic Revival architecture’s popularity. It represents one of the purest expressions of the form to be found in Geneva.
(additional historic information will be included on the tour ticket)
REGISTER HERE!
Thanks to our sponsors:

Penguin Software - The Geneva Connection
2025-09-09 14:00 - 15:00
In the early 1980s, Geneva was home to Penguin Software, a pioneer in creating tools for computer graphics, animation and music. These tools were licensed to other software publishers, helping shape early computer games and educational software. Founder Mark Pelczarski will personally share stories of Penguin’s rapid growth and the excitement of building a tech business during the early days of personal computing. Learn the day-to-day workings of Penguin Software from its early beginnings in Geneva at 521 Hamilton Street.
REGISTER HERE

Courthouse Tour Fundraiser
2025-09-18 16:30 - 19:00
A limited number of tickets available for this once-in-a-lifetime guided tour of Geneva’s spectacular 1892 Kane County Courthouse on South Third Street including a surprise feature in the basement, hidden original ceiling murals, recent findings inside a vault, stories of the past, and plans for the future.
Registration includes guided tour, followed by a party at the museum with appetizers, wine, beer, signature cocktail, and a gift bag.
Meet your guide at the museum anytime between 4-4:30 PM and walk together to the back entrance of the courthouse. All guests must go through the security screening at courthouse.

Buy raffle tickets at $100/ticket or $150/2 tickets for a chance to win a $5,600 necklace (18 Karat White Gold Whimsical Graduated Heart Pendant from Hearts On Fire which contains a total weight of 1.14ct of round diamonds of G/H color and VS2/SI1 clarity) from State Street Jewelers. Winner drawn at end of the evening and need not be present. Anyone can purchase the jewelry raffle tickets – even if you aren’t attending the event.
Register now at the link below to get in on the fun!
Call us at 630-232-4951 for assistance.
REGISTER HERE!
BUY RAFFLE TICKETS HERE

Oak Hill Cemetery Walk
2025-10-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Oak Hill Cemetery, Route 25, Geneva, IL, 60134, United States
Explore Geneva’s east side cemetery on Route 25 with Museum Educator, Heidi Howlett. Learn the meanings of markings on tombstones and stories of prominent settlers. Meet at cemetery.
REGISTER HERE

Westside Cemetery Walk
2025-10-04 12:00 - 13:00 | WestSide Cemetery, 301 Stevens Street, Geneva, IL, 60134, United States
Explore Geneva’s oldest cemetery on Stevens Street with Museum Educator, Heidi Howlett. Learn the meanings of markings on tombstones and stories of prominent settlers. Also learn about the recent restoration efforts Heidi and her group of volunteers have accomplished. Meet at the cemetery.
REGISTER HERE

Geneva's 1985 Sesquicentennial Celebration!
2025-10-14 14:00 - 15:00
Forty years ago Geneva celebrated its 150th anniversary with five months of events including a birthday party, pageant, tree contest, slide show and a time capsule. Explore how the community came together to honor Geneva’s history and let’s discuss ideas for the 200th anniversary in 2035. Presented by GHM Executive Director, Terry Emma.
REGISTER HERE
