50 Years of Preserving Our Past

Did you know the Northbrook History Museum wasn't always a museum—or even in its current location?
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Built in 1894, the building originally served as the bustling Northfield Inn. By the 1970s, this historic landmark faced demolition. Determined to preserve a piece of the community's past, the Northbrook Historical Society partnered with several local groups to save the structure by moving it to Village Green Park.

After a massive, community-driven restoration effort, the Northbrook History Museum officially opened in 1976. For the past 50 years, the museum has preserved Northbrook's stories, artifacts, and memories—and remarkably, it has been staffed entirely by volunteers since day one.

This year marks the museum's 50th anniversary!