Historic House Tour
2025-07-20 12:00 - 16:00 UTC
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

Annual Ghost Walks
2025-10-24 16:00 - 2025-10-25 20:00
Where is the most haunted spot in Geneva? Join us for ghostly tales shared through guided tours of historic downtown. Tours start at the museum.
REGISTER FOR THE DATES & TIMES BELOW:
Ghost Walk – 4PM, Friday, October 24
Ghost Walk – 6PM, Friday, October 24
Ghost Walk – 4PM, Saturday, October 25
Ghost Walk – 6PM, Saturday, October 25
Ghost Walk – 8PM, Saturday, October 25

World War I and Geneva
2025-11-08 08:00 - 17:00
2nd Tuesday @ 2PM Program
Join Museum Curator, Markie Striegel as she examines how Genevans responded to the challenges of World War I and shares personal stories from local soldiers who experienced the war firsthand. Registration recommended at $5/person, free for museum members.
REGISTER HERE

History of Christmas in Geneva
2025-11-11 14:00 - 15:00
Come learn the origins of some of Geneva’s most-treasured holiday traditions including the Christmas Walk and the Santa House. Presented by Geneva native and GHM Executive Director, Terry Emma.
REGISTER HERE

Annual Members Only Meeting & Celebration
2025-12-15 17:00 - 18:30
Join us for this members only meeting to elect the 2026 GHM Board of Directors and to celebrate the museum’s accomplishments. Appetizers, wine and refreshments will be served. Special 20% off Gift Shop purchases for attendees (some exclusions apply).
REGISTER HERE

VIP/Members Only Exhibition Opening - Through the Eyes of Geneva
2026-02-06 17:00 - 18:00
From presidential visits to patriotic parades, Through the Eyes explores how the people of Geneva have experienced, contributed to, and commemorated key moments in American history over the past 250 years.
Special Presentation at 6 PM.
REGISTER HERE

The History of the American Legion Post 75
2026-02-10 14:00 - 15:00
2nd Tuesday @ 2PM Program
In 1919, thirty-five veterans met to form Geneva’s American Legion Post 75. Learn the story of how the organization grew and became what it is today. Reservations recommended at $5/person, free for museum members.
REGISTER HERE

The Geneva Public Library
2026-03-10 14:00 - 15:00
2nd Tuesday @ 2PM Program
The Library has a rich history dating back to the 1870s. Join Museum Educator, Heidi Howlett to learn the story of Geneva’s Public Library. Reservations recommended at $5/person, free for museum members.
REGISTER HERE

World War I and Geneva
2026-04-14 14:00 - 15:00
2nd Tuesday @ 2PM Program
Join Museum Curator, Markie Striegel as she examines how Genevans responded to the challenges of World War I and shares personal stories from local soldiers who experienced the war firsthand. Reservations recommended at $5/person, free for museum members.
REGISTER HERE

GHS Sesquicentennial
2026-05-12 14:00 - 15:00
2nd Tuesday @ 2PM Program
Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first graduating class of Geneva High School. Executive Director, Terry Emma will share stories of the growth and traditions of GHS. Reservations recommended at $5/person, free for museum members.
REGISTER HERE
