The Glencoe Historical Society Research Collection
As part of its mission, the Glencoe Historical Society collects documents, photographs, maps, directories, books, newspapers, magazines, scrapbooks, postcards, objects, artwork and other printed and digital material. Highlights of our Collection include:
Newspapers
The Glencoe Historical Society has one of the oldest and most complete collections of local newspapers in the State of Illinois. Our Glencoe News Reading Room contains bound volumes of the Glencoe News from 1920 through 2004. The Research Center has earlier editions of the paper as well along with newspapers such as the North Shore News from the 1890s and the Glenetka Window from 1925-26.
Photographs
The Research Center has a vast collection of original photographs of Glencoe, its homes, its businesses and its residents dating from approximately 1870 until the present.
Maps
The GHS map collection includes local Glencoe maps from 1875 to the present. These maps show the development of subdivisions, streets and lots in Glencoe during the 20th century. Regional maps in the collection show natural, geological and Native American features. Transportation maps trace railroad routes through the area. There are also architectural plats of some structures, including our schools, parks and several notable homes and gardens.
Directories
The Research Center has copies of telephone directories from various years. The earliest dates back to 1908. There are also numerous directories from the mid-1920s to the late 1950s and from the 1980s and 1990s. In addition, the collection contains directories from local organizations such as the Women’s Library Club. Community guides published by the League of Women Voters are also on file.
House Files
The GHS is the repository of the Glencoe Architectural and Historical Survey undertaken in the mid-1980s. Individual files are kept on each home address on this survey which identified over 300 structures as architecturally or historically significant. A real estate listing file from the 1940s to the 1970s is also available to provide information on many Glencoe homes along with other resources.
People Files
A section of our archives is devoted to information on individuals who lived in Glencoe. These files include family letters, newspaper clippings, memoirs and some genealogies.
Business and Organization Files
The Research Center has extensive materials on Glencoe organizations and businesses throughout the history of the Village. In addition to many early records of the Village, the Center has items relating to the Glencoe schools, Glencoe Park District, Glencoe Chamber of Commerce and many other groups and businesses.
The Glencoe Historical Society welcomes donations to our collection.
The Glencoe Historical Society museum campus is located at 375 Park Avenue, Glencoe, IL. Our Research Center, in the back building on the property, is open every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., every Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. or by appointment. It is best, however, to call ahead (847-835-0040) or email us (info@glencoehistory.org) to make sure that we will be able to provide you with the best and most productive visit. You can also email our Research Staff with any questions at info@glencoehistory.org.