Elgin Public Museum, Natural history museum in Lords Park, Elgin, Illinois.
The Elgin Public Museum is a natural history museum in a park setting in Elgin, Illinois, focused on regional natural sciences. Exhibits feature rock collections, minerals, information about the Fox River ecosystem, and animals kept in nearby enclosures within the grounds.
The museum was founded in 1907 as Lord Memorial Museum and remains the oldest museum building in Illinois still serving its original purpose. Since opening, it has served as an ongoing source of natural science education for the region.
The museum displays exhibits about Native American traditions and their connection to the region. These collections help visitors understand the history of the people who inhabited this land long before the city developed.
The best times to visit are afternoons from Thursday through Sunday when the museum is open. The grounds within the park are easily accessible on foot, and visitors can explore the various exhibits and farm animal areas in half a day.
The museum maintains a small farm with bison and elk living on the park grounds, offering visitors a rare look at these animals in the region. This blend of indoor exhibits and living animals makes the experience particularly engaging for families.
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