Winnetka Historical Society

The Winnetka Historical Society educates people on the stories of our past, in an effort to enrich our present and inspire our future. We promote awareness of Winnetka’s heritage through artifact collection and preservation, public access to our research center, and enlightening programs, exhibits, and publications. A group of engaged citizens who recognized the importance of preserving the history of the Winnetka community created the WHS in 1932. Today, the WHS owns and operates two historic buildings in Winnetka. Our Museum and headquarters at 411 Linden Street houses exhibit and gallery space and is open for research, including the reference library, photograph collections, museum collections, archives, and house files. The Schmidt-Burnham Log House seasonally offers visitors a glimpse of life in the 1850s through the interpretation of costumed docents.