The Dunn Museum’s collections, which comprise nearly 20,000 artifacts and 1,000 linear feet of archival materials, are securely housed in a modern environmentally controlled care and storage facility. Irreplaceable collections held in public trust are protected with precise temperature and humidity control, as well as security and fire suppression capabilities, preserving Lake County’s cultural heritage for future generations to discover and enjoy. Archival holdings within the Museum's distinguished collections can be accessed by appointment by visitors, researchers and history enthusiasts. Artifacts from the collections are showcased in exhibitions and education programs.
Research Requests and Appointments Paused
Research requests and appointments at the Dunn Museum are paused until January 2, 2025. New image use requests will be processed after January 2, 2025. We are working on collections and exhibitions projects—
see some of our upcoming exhibits here. The Teich Family Reading Room will continue to be open on Saturdays from 10 am–12 pm for walk-in researchers to use the library materials and clippings files.
Collections Donation
If you have documents, images or artifacts that you believe would complement our collection, please tell us about them by completing the online form below. Please do not send unsolicited original materials to the Museum.
What makes a good donation candidate? A strong Lake County connection makes an item a good fit for the Museum’s collections. What is the item’s story? Who used it? Was it used and/or made in Lake County?
All potential donations are evaluated by a museum curator, who may contact you with follow-up questions. Donations are then reviewed by the Collections Committee made up of museum staff. If the committee decides that the materials will strengthen the collections, the donation is presented to the Lake County Forest Preserves’ Operations Committee for final approval.
Complete a Collections Inquiry Form
Teich Family Reading Room
The Reading Room provides walk-in access to the Dunn Museum’s special library, genealogical resources and reference materials related to Lake County history. An appointment is necessary for use of primary source materials from the Lake County History Archives. There is no fee for accessing the Reading Room, but fees may be incurred for photocopies, scans, printed copies, PDFs, image licensing, and other items.
For more information, email or call the collections staff at LCHA@LCFPD.org or 847-968-3400.
Public Hours
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Saturday |
10 am–12 pm for walk-ins, or by appointment |
Lake County History Archives
The vast collections of the History Archives are available by appointment for research in the Reading Room. Appointments must be made three days in advance and confirmed by Dunn Museum staff. Primary source materials include, but are not limited to, photographs, postcards, Civil War correspondence, and school records.
Personal computers are welcome. Cameras, scanners and other personal copying devices are not permitted. Collections staff can make photocopies, scans or PDFs of most archival materials. See below for services and fees.
For more information or to discuss your research project, email or call the collections staff at LCHA@LCFPD.org or 847-968-3400.
Appointment Hours
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Tuesday–Saturday |
10 am–4 pm, by appointment |
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Mondays and Sundays |
Closed |
Collections Online
The links below take you to school history hosted online by the Illinois Digital Archives.
Research Requests
It's easy for researchers and history enthusiasts from Lake County or around the world to request research assistance. Research requests can be made by mail, phone 847-968-3400, or email LCHA@LCFPD.org.
Fees may apply and vary by request.
Contact
Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County
Lake County History Archives
1899 W. Winchester Road | Libertyville, IL 60048 847-968-3400
LCHA@LCFPD.org