The Museum includes static, growing and changing exhibits. It may also include short-term or traveling exhibits. We invite you to join or donate. Reservations are encouraged. A voluntary $5 donation is asked for admission. In accordance with City, State and CDC guidelines, vaccinated visitors do not need to wear masks. However, unvaccinated visitors should continue to wear masks.
Current exhibits include:
Exhibit Room One: Margaret’s Room
Margaret Crippen was married in a ceremony and reception held on the front lawn of the Noble-Seymour-Crippen House in 1927. This exhibit, housed in a period-decorated bedroom, includes photographs of Margaret’s wedding to Harvey Howard, excerpts from her journal while a student at Northwestern University and other personal and period items.
Exhibit Room Two: Norwood Park History
This room contains photographs, maps and objects that tell the story of Norwood Park’s growth from a pioneer farming settlement to an independent 19th Century railroad suburb to a city neighborhood. While many items contained in this exhibit remain on permanent display, changing stories are told through the addition of new or infrequently seen items from the NPHS archives.
Exhibit Room Three: The History of Sports and Recreation in Norwood Park
The Norwood Park Historical Society is pleased to announce our newest history exhibit titled “The History of Sports and Recreation in Norwood Park”. It is a brief history of sports and recreational-related events that took place in Norwood Park since it became a village. These include the building of the first gymnasium, the creation of the park also known as Norwood Park, the Golden Wheel Bike Derby, soap box derbies, the start of the baseball leagues, football leagues and other forms of recreation. You will learn how things began, were enjoyed and now may only be a distant memory. Hope to see you there. Bob Kelly
An ancillary exhibit illustrates the Norwood Park Home Improvement Exposition, which took place in the 1970’s. Long before the days of This Old House or HGTV, this event, held at the Norwood Park fieldhouse, brought remodeling vendors and suppliers into the community. Do it right … measure twice and cut once.
Exhibit Room Four: Can You Dig It? and New Items
Can You Dig It? is an exhibit that is very popular with children. It is an extensive collection of artifacts dug up from beneath the lawns of the Noble-Seymour-Crippen House. These include coins, toys, animal bones and other treasures. In addition, this room contains recent additions to the NPHS archives.
Exhibit archive: A History of Beer in Chicago featuring docent Mike Boucek.