Des Plaines History Center

The Des Plaines History Center collects, preserves, and interprets the history of Des Plaines and its people and provides access to those resources through exhibits, educational programs and research facilities.

Our vision is to create a great future by inspiring and connecting people to the history of Des Plaines and to the world through an understanding of heritage, traditions, culture, and community.

We are a local history museum located in downtown Des Plaines, Illinois. The Kinder House Museum, at 789 Pearson St., is a 1907 Queen Anne Revival house, with room displays portraying early 20th-century life. The Visitor & Education Center, next door at 781 Pearson St., was built in the 1950s as the Des Plaines Savings & Loan Association. It is now filled with exhibits about Des Plaines and Illinois history, programs for kids, teens, adults and families, and thousands of searchable archives. Visit the Des Plaines History Center to learn more about the history of Des Plaines, find family-friendly programs, and tour the 1907 Kinder House.

Volunteers help research and preserve the history of life in Des Plaines There are additional opportunities with marketing and communications, event planning, or tabling at community programs.