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Lake County Discovery Museum

Lake County Discovery Museum

 

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Related Sites

Curt Teich Postcard Archives
Lake County History Archives
Lakewood

Other Information

Exhibits
Teachers and Youth Leaders
Volunteer at the Discovery Museum
Banquets / Weddings / Meetings
Illuminating Lake County History Blog
Life in a Postcard Mirror Blog
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Be a Museum Member

The Lake County Discovery 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 e-mail newsletter to keep up to date on the latest exhibits, events and programs happening at the Lake County Discovery Museum. Become our fan on Facebookshare your museum photos on Flickr or follow us on Twitter.

The Lake County Discovery Museum is accredited by the  American Association of Museums.

Summer Camp Registration is now open

Enjoy adventures in nature, art, fishing, history, paddling and much more! All camps are led by our professional educators and accredited by the American Camp Association. To find out more, visit  www.LCFPD.org/camps.

 

Current Special Exhibitions

Hours and Admission

Regular gallery hours are Monday - Saturday, 10a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

  • Admission is $6 for adults and $2.50 for youth ages four to 17, and free for children three years and under. Admission is $2.50 for seniors after 2 p.m.
  • 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 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.

 

Location

The Lake County Discovery Museum is located in Lakewood Forest Preserve in southwest Lake County. [View on Google Maps]
The entrance and parking area are located on Route 176 west of Fairfield Road. Follow signs to the Lake County Discovery Museum.
 

History

Since 1976, Lakewood Forest Preserve (formerly known as Lakewood Farm) has been home to the nationally accredited Lake County Discovery Museum. The former farm buildings have been adapted and expanded to accommodate the Museum galleries, administrative offices, and the Museum's two archives: the Curt Teich Postcard Archives and the Lake County History Archives.

 

Contact Information

Lake County Discovery Museum
27277 N Forest Preserve Rd
Wauconda, IL 60084
LCMuseum@LCFPD.org
847-968-3400 (phone)
847-526-0024 (fax)
 
© Jess Smith
Lake County Discovery Museum
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News

Golden Legacy coming to Lake County Discovery Museum
Board approves purchase of land and building in Libertyville
Camp registration now open
 

Calendar of Events

Mar 10 Small Discoveries - Woolly Mammoths & Mighty Mastodons
  13 History Club - Lake County Inventors
  20 Golden Legacy: Original Art from 65 years of Golden Books
  24 Small Discoveries - A Celebration of Little Golden Books
  29 Spring Break Fun
  30 Spring Break Fun
  31 Spring Break Fun
Apr 1 Spring Break Fun
  2 Spring Break Fun
  10 History Club - Folk and Fine Art
  14 Small Discoveries - Hop into Spring
  18 Read Me a Story - Choosing the Best Books For Your Child
  21 Homeschool Companion – Lake County Pioneers
  28 Small Discoveries - Create with Color
May 8 History Club - Out on the Town
  12 Small Discoveries - Digging for Dinosaurs
  13 Teacher Training – Civil War: Homefront to Frontline
  31 Kids Day at the Museum
 

Exhibits and Activities

Charles Warner’s Cathedrals
Golden Legacy: Original Art from 65 years of Golden Books