Who is Villa Park Historical Society
Villa Park Historical Society located in Villa Park, IL is a non-profit volunteer organization that is devoted to protecting and promoting Villa Park’s unique place in Illinois’s history. Organized in 1977 as part of the village’s historical commission. Since then, they have grown into one of Illinois’s most widely regarded historical resources.
About Villa Park Historical Society
Located inside the former Villa Avenue Station that was a part of the former Chicago, Aurora & Elgin Railroad electric train service until 1957. This interesting location offers visitors access to one of Illinois’s largest collections of Sears catalogue homes that were constructed between 1908 to 1940.
They converted the station into the Villa Park Historical Museum in the late 1970s. The museum houses several permanent and temporary exhibits that invite visitors to learn about our area’s unique architectural and railroad history. Other popular attractions include an architectural resource center and the village’s visitor center. The museum was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
Exhibits at Villa Park Historical Society
The exhibits at Villa Park Historical Society use pictures and text to tell the story of Villa Park’s place in American society. Some favorite exhibits include permanent exhibits that tell the story of Villa Park’s role in the development of the Chicago, Aurora & Elgin Railroad. Other favorites tell the story of how some of America’s pop culture icons influenced our area’s cultural and economic history. They are especially proud to display relics from our village’s former Ovaltine factory that shaped our area’s history from 1917 to 1985.
Host Events at Villa Park Historical Society
Villa Park Historical Society works with the local chamber of commerce to host events that celebrate the area’s fascinating history. For more information, please visit the community calendar page.