Evanston History Center

Housed in the gracious historic mansion of former U.S. Vice President Charles Gates Dawes, this stunning chateau overlooks Lake Michigan. Visitors and history buffs enjoy this National Historic Landmark for its original furnishings and artwork. There’s a wonderful interactive exhibit on the second floor that uses artifacts and archival materials from the collection to tell the story of the community and some of the amazing people who called Evanston home. Docent led tours of the house take place a few times daily Thursday through Sunday. Spring, summer and fall, lively docent-led walking tours of Evanston neighborhoods, downtown, and the lakefront are offered. The tours provide fun and fascinating insights into the history of Evanston, its architecture, and the cultural landscape.