The site navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and space bar key commands. Left and right arrows move across top level links and expand / close menus in sub levels. Up and Down arrows will open main level menus and toggle through sub tier links. Enter and space open menus and escape closes them as well. Tab will move on to the next part of the site rather than go through menu items.
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We are stewards. Storytellers. Educators. Explorers. We are dedicated to sharing the entwined stories of people, events and nature through exhibitions, education and community engagement. At the Dunn Museum, our passion is to explore history as a vibrant force that connects us all through time. Our vision is to encourage and inspire others to make a positive influence in their communities and our world.
Browse our featured and permanent museum exhibitions and see what Dunn Museum has to offer.
A variety of history and environmental based programs are available to adult groups and taught by our Environmental Education staff and Dunn Museum Education staff.
Educators are working on curriculum support for teachers. These resources help teachers with their classroom’s e-learning, supporting topics they had chosen as their field trips. History and nature virtual field trips are available.
Our Summer Adventures are designed for summer fun and learning. Adventures are led by our professional educators. Our trained staff is experienced in supervision, safety and more.
There's always something to do in Lake County. Whether it be fun, relaxing, or educational, we have something for everyone.
The Dunn Museum is named for Bess Bower Dunn (1877-1959). Bess was a woman of firsts. She was one of the first women in motion pictures. She was the first Assistant Probate Clerk for Lake County, the first official Lake County Historian, and one of Lake County's earliest genealogists
Bess deserves much credit for her work preserving the early history of Lake County, Illinois. She promoted the county's history through lectures and the efforts of the Lake County Historical Society (LCHS). She was a founding member of the LCHS where she personally collected some of the items in the LCHS collection - which are now in the care and ownership of the Dunn Museum.
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.
The Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County collects, preserves, and interprets the material culture of Lake County, Illinois, and provides captivating educational experiences and inspiring exhibitions for the benefit of every Lake County resident.
The Dunn Museum docent program provides volunteers an in-depth knowledge of the county's history. Volunteers receive the training and share that knowledge with visitors. Visitor Services volunteers greet guests while working at the Museum's reception desk. Learn more »
Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County 1899 West Winchester Road | Libertyville, IL 60048 847-968-3400
Dunn@LCFPD.org
Support the Dunn Museum through the Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves.