On the Move
In two to three years, the Museum will make the move from its current location in Wauconda to the Lake County Forest Preserves General Offices building on Winchester Road in Libertyville. Private donations are being sought to fund the move. With twice the exhibit space of its current building and a more controlled environment to store collections, the new location will allow the Museum to display more of its artifacts and special exhibits and to better protect its historic collections.
The central-county location near public transit and major roadways is expected to increase accessibility and public attendance, as well. Lakewood will continue to host popular annual outdoor events such as Civil War Days in July and the Farm Heritage Festival in September.
Whether you're a regular museum visitor or new to the area, we invite you to share your thoughts and ideas with us as we prepare to move and expand our exhibit space, and to ask us any questions you may have about the relocation. Please contact Katherine Hamilton Smith, Director of Cultural Resources, at 847-968-3380.
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Construction Alert
Lakewood is benefitting from a major Lake County Division of Transportation road widening project at the intersection of Fairfield Road and Route 176 in Wauconda. Work will extend into 2014. View project updates.
During construction, access to the museum, Lakewood, the Dog Exercise Area and all adjacent trails will remain open though minor interruptions may occur. Be alert to signage that may direct to alternative preserve entrances. View project map.
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About the Museum
The museum provides a fun, well-rounded museum experience close to home. Hands-on interactive exhibits introduce the history of Lake County in a fun learning environment. The museum also displays the nation’s largest permanent exhibition on the history and significance of postcards. Changing exhibits in our special exhibition galleries take inspiration from art, history and popular culture.
Sign up for our email newsletter to keep up to date on the latest exhibits, events and programs. Find us on Facebook, share your museum photos on Flickr or follow us on Twitter.
The Lake County Discovery Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The Friends of the Lake County Discovery Museum commissioned a fun congratulatory video.
Current and Upcoming Special Exhibitions
Sponsored by The Daily Herald
- Mucha: Expanding Art Nouveau - Through August 25, 2013. Alphonse Mucha brought the elegance of the Art Nouveau movement to everyday and commercial objects through his designs for posters, magazines, jewelry and much more. The exhibit features objects from the Curt Teich Postcard Archives' John High Collection, one of the world’s leading collections of Mucha postcards.
- Modern Masters - Through August 25, 2013. Modern artists including Marc Chagall, Joan Miró, Alexander Calder, Salvador Dali and others evidence the experimentation and symbolism widely recognized as hallmarks of modern art post World War I. Modern Masters is a national touring exhibition organized by the Pauly Friedman Gallery at Misericordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvania. It is dedicated to artists, art educators and creative individuals everywhere who have taken the leap of imagination and turned it into tangible works of art for all to contemplate, study and interpret.
Hours and Admission.
Regular gallery hours are Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Admission is $6 for adults, $2.50 for youth ages 4 -17, $3 for students ages 18 to 25 and seniors ages 55 and up, and free for children three years and under.
- Discount Tuesdays: adults $3, ages 4-17 (up to five children per adult) FREE, $1.25 per child for groups with 5-10 children per adult.
- Museum members are free on all days.
- Download a coupon: Save $1 per person on admission.
- Open daily except for New Year's, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
- Parking is free.
Special Programs
The Museum offers a variety of public programs for families and adults year-round. Each July, the Museum hosts Civil War Days, the largest Civil War reenactment in Illinois. At the Farm Heritage Festival each September, visitors are able to take a step back in time and explore Lake County’s rural roots. During the summer, Museum educators provide fun and educational nature, history, and art day camps. The Museum also makes a great place for a field trip or group tour.
Join us for special in-gallery talks Tuesdays from 11 am to 1 pm. These informal talks shed additional light on our exhibitions, and are free with Museum admission.
Museum Membership
Support the museum and receive great benefits by becoming a member of the Friends of the Lake County Discovery Museum.
Explore the benefits of membership.
Museum Shop
The Museum Shop features locally made goods, fair trade products, local history books and postcard gifts. In addition, it carries items related to our current special exhibitions. |
