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Dunn Museum

Research and Collections

The Dunn Museum’s collections, which comprise nearly 20,000 artifacts and 1,000 linear feet of archival materials, are securely housed in a modern environmentally controlled care and storage facility. Irreplaceable collections held in public trust are protected with precise temperature and humidity control, as well as security and fire suppression capabilities, preserving Lake County’s cultural heritage for future generations to discover and enjoy. Archival holdings within the Museum's distinguished collections can be accessed by appointment by visitors, researchers and history enthusiasts. Artifacts from the collections are showcased in exhibitions and education programs. 

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Collections Donation

If you have documents, images or artifacts that you believe would complement our collection, please tell us about them by completing the online form below. Please do not send unsolicited original materials to the Museum.

What makes a good donation candidate? A strong Lake County connection makes an item a good fit for the Museum’s collections. What is the item’s story? Who used it? Was it used and/or made in Lake County?

All potential donations are evaluated by a museum curator, who may contact you with follow-up questions. Donations are then reviewed by the Collections Committee made up of museum staff. If the committee decides that the materials will strengthen the collections, the donation is presented to the Lake County Forest Preserves’ Operations Committee for final approval.

Complete a Collections Inquiry Form


Teich Family Reading Room

The Reading Room provides walk-in access to the Dunn Museum’s special library, genealogical resources and reference materials related to Lake County history. An appointment is necessary for use of primary source materials from the Lake County History Archives. There is no fee for accessing the Reading Room, but fees may be incurred for photocopies, scans, printed copies, PDFs, image licensing, and other items.

For more information, email or call the collections staff at LCHA@LCFPD.org or 847-968-3400.

Public Hours

Saturday 10 am–12 pm for walk-ins, or by appointment

 


Lake County History Archives

The vast collections of the History Archives are available by appointment for research in the Reading Room. Appointments must be made three days in advance and confirmed by Dunn Museum staff. Primary source materials include, but are not limited to, photographs, postcards, Civil War correspondence, and school records.

Personal computers are welcome. Cameras, scanners and other personal copying devices are not permitted. Collections staff can make photocopies, scans or PDFs of most archival materials. See below for services and fees.

For more information or to discuss your research project, email or call the collections staff at LCHA@LCFPD.org or 847-968-3400. 

Appointment Hours

Tuesday–Saturday 10 am–4 pm, by appointment
Mondays and Sundays Closed

 

Collections Online

Lake County School Histories

The links below take you to school history hosted online by the Illinois Digital Archives.

Antioch Township-Emmons School Ela Township-Archer School Newport Township-Browe School
Antioch Township-Hickory School Ela Township-Bennett School Newport Township-West Newport School
Avon Township-Avon Center School Ela Township-Gilmer School Shields Township-North Chicago School
Avon Township-East Fox Lake School Ela Township-Lake Zurich School Shields Township-South School
Avon Township-Fort Hill School Ela Township-Pomeroy School Shields Township-Vickerman School
Avon Township-Hainesville School Ela Township-Schultz School Vernon Township-Half Day School
Avon Township-Round Lake School Fremont Township-Diamond Lake School Vernon Township-Tripp School
Benton Township-21st Street School Fremont Township-Gould School Warren Township-Stearns & Vose Schools
Benton Township-30th Street School Fremont Township-Ivanhoe School Warren Township-Warrenton School
Benton Township-Dickertown School Fremont Township-Murray School Wauconda Township-Courtney School
Cuba Township-Davlin School Grant Township-Big Hollow School Wauconda Township-Glynch School
Cuba Township-Flint Creek School Grant Township-Brick School Wauconda Township-Volo School
Cuba Township-Honey Lake School Grant Township-Fox Lake School Wauconda Township-Wauconda School
Cuba Township-Porter School Grant Township-Gavin School Waukegan Township-Blanchard School
Deerfield Township-Briarwood School Lake Villa Township-Cribb School Waukegan Township-Dady School
Deerfield Township-Deerfield Grammar School Libertyville Township-Butterfield School Waukegan Township-Progressive School
Deerfield Township-Wilmot School Libertyville Township-Rondout School Waukegan Township-York House School
Deerfield Township-Highwood School Newport Township-Biddlecome School  

 

Collections on Illinois Digital Archives


Research Requests

It's easy for researchers and history enthusiasts from Lake County or around the world to request research assistance. Research requests can be made by mail, phone 847-968-3400, or email LCHA@LCFPD.org.

Fees may apply and vary by request.


Contact

Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County
Lake County History Archives
1899 W. Winchester Road | Libertyville, IL 60048 847-968-3400
LCHA@LCFPD.org