Evanston History Center

The Evanston History Center lives at the Dawes House.

The Evanston History Center collects, preserves and shares Evanston history to educate, inspire and enrich the people of Evanston.

Archival Collection Description

Evanston History Center Archives welcomes scholars, students, genealogists, filmmakers, journalists, authors, and the public to view our Research Room and Archival Collections.  The Evanston History Center Archives primarily consist of 2-D primary source materials. These materials include prints and photographs, manuscripts, architectural drawings, books, city directories and telephone books and other published materials. Our Archives also hold maps, oral histories, DVDs, VHS, film, postcards, stereo cards and other media. There are over 400 Archival collections in our Research Room, holding records for organizations, businesses, non-profit organizations, personal papers, churches, and local school and government records.  The archives hold a significant amount of material related to people and houses in Evanston and have the original city building records of Evanston structures. The Archives also have a collection of newspaper clippings and ephemera that include hundreds of Evanston related subjects, as well as clippings about Northwestern and Rogers Park. The collections are housed in climate-controlled macro and microenvironments. Our Research Room and Library also holds a significant quantity of secondary course materials, including brochures, pamphlets, theses, reports, studies and other miscellaneous sources. 

A Multi-Faceted Artifact Collection

The Evanston History Center’s artifact collection contains a wide variety of three-dimensional objects from the daily lives of Evanston residents that illustrate the story of the community throughout history. 

Artifacts in our collection encompass the wide spectrum of lives and experiences that combine to represent the community and characterize its culture. Also included are noteworthy products manufactured in Evanston or created by Evanstonians. From works of art to political memorabilia, from tools to toys and sports equipment, from furniture to technology, to architectural and archaeological artifacts, the many thousands of objects provide insights into our cultural landscape. 

The collection is carefully contained in climate-controlled storage. Items are showcased in ever-changing themed exhibitions and loaned to other museums for related exhibits. Specific items from the collection not currently on display are only available on a limited basis to researchers by appointment with the curator.

Costume Collection

With more than 20,000 garments, textiles, and accessories dating from the early nineteenth century to the present, Evanston History Center’s Costume Collection is one of the largest in the state of Illinois. The Collection spans the breadth of Evanston’s history, including garments and accessories for men, women, and children. Collection materials focus on clothing and accessories worn by Evanston residents from all walks of life.

The Collection includes objects from significant designers, such as Dior, Callot Soeurs, Lucien Lelong, House of Worth, Jon Weston, Pucci, and Liberty’s of London. However, as befits the sensibilities of Evanstonians, the majority of the Collection includes objects from other sources. These include the works of lesser-known European designers, the works of American designers including Evanston designers, the products of local department stores and businesses, and clothing made at home by Evanston residents for themselves and their families.

The Evanston History Center regularly displays objects from the Costume Collection in exhibitions and also makes loans to local institutions.