Skokie Heritage Museum

Location

8031 Floral Ave.
Skokie, IL 60077

Hours

Thursday-Friday: 12-4 PM

Saturday-Sunday:* 10-2

Monday-Wednesday: Closed

*Seasonal

Log cabin: Request only

Phone

(847) 674-1500 ext. 3000

Website

http://www.skokieparks.org/skokie-heritage-museum

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History of the Skokie Heritage Museum

The Skokie Heritage Museum is housed in the oldest municipal building in Skokie, a repurposed firehouse originally constructed in 1887^.1 At the time, the Engine House held the six-year-old Niles North Volunteer Fire Company; the fire department remained in the building until 1969, when it moved to Village Hall.² In its early years, the Engine House served as village hall and a small jail until a dedicated Village Hall was constructed, in 1927.³ For a time, the second floor even provided space for a small school with three teachers⁴ and entertainment including boxing and dances.⁵ After the Fire Department moved to Village Hall, the Engine House briefly held the Skokie Health Department, but it was soon empty and in danger of demolition.⁶ Through the hard work of the newly-formed Skokie Historical Society, and later with the help of the Skokie Park District, the building was saved from demolition and restored to its early-twentieth century condition.⁷ It opened to the public as the Skokie Heritage Museum in 1992.

Next to the Engine House, and open upon request, is the Log Cabin, even older than the Engine House. The Log Cabin was built in 1847 by the Meyer family and was moved from its original location to its present position by the Engine House in 1982.⁹

The former Engine House now hosts permanent collections as well as short-term and special exhibits. Activities ranging from yoga to Research Workshops and history classes for homeschoolers are held in the Engine House and Log Cabin.¹⁰While it may no longer hold a village hall, a jail, a boxing ring, and a fire house, the old Engine House continues to serve the community as it has for nearly 130 years.