History & Mission

Our Mission


The mission of the Elmhurst History Museum is to engage people with history through thoughtful collection, enlightening exhibits, and diverse educational experiences. The Museum fills an essential role in the life of the community by revealing the quality of life in years past and providing a basis on which community pride can grow and endure. The Museum fulfills its mission by accomplishing the following:
  • Presenting historical concepts and museum collections to the public through exhibits, educational programs, tours, and publications.
  • Acquiring and caring for locally significant artifacts, records, documents, photographs, audio-visual materials, and publications related to Elmhurst history.
  • Offering cultural, social, and learning opportunities related to the history and heritage of the regional community and the world at large.
  • Providing research services to enable an understanding of local history and to make the museum’s collections available to the public.
  • Maintaining two historically and architecturally significant buildings: the Glos Mansion and the Churchville Schoolhouse.

The Glos Mansion

The Elmhurst History Museum is located in the significant historic Elmhurst landmark known as the Glos Mansion that was built circa 1892 for the first president, Henry Glos and his wife Lucy. To find out more about the history of the Glos Family and the Mansion, visit our History Highlights section.



Churchville Schoolhouse

In addition to the Elmhurst History Museum, the Museum staff also manages the historic Churchville Schoolhouse, a restored circa 1850 one-room schoolhouse located just north of Grand Avenue on Church Road in Bensenville. The Churchville Schoolhouse is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and was reopened for public use in 2010 after an extensive restoration process. An authentic living history experience for school-age children, led by an old-fashioned school marm from the early 1900s, is now available by reservation. Group tours are available and occasional public programs and events for both families and adults are planned for the Churchville Schoolhouse.

Elmhurst Heritage Foundation

Both the Elmhurst History Museum and the Churchville Schoolhouse are supported by the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit. The mission of this citizen-led board is to stimulate broad-based support for local history, the Elmhurst History Museum, and the Churchville Schoolhouse through advocacy, education, and fundraising. Through strategic planning, donor development, outreach, and essential fundraising, the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation offers guidance and support to keep history alive for future generations. Memberships are available at www.elmhurstheritagefoundation.org or by calling 630-833-1457