Des Plaines History Center Kinder House
Discover Des Plaines' past at the free History Center and its charming 1907 Kinder House, offering interactive exhibits and personal tours.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Des Plaines History Center Kinder House
Best Time
More time for tours
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover Des Plaines' past at the free History Center and its charming 1907 Kinder House, offering interactive exhibits and personal tours.
"A great reminder of how special our community is, with fascinating exhibits and a personal touch."
🎯 Request a Private Tour
Enhance your visit by asking for a private tour of the Kinder House. It's a personal and informative experience. :star:
📸 Photo-Friendly Exhibits
Capture memories! You're welcome to take photos of most exhibits and the Kinder House. Some items can even be touched. :camerawithflash:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Kinder House Tour
Adjacent to the History Center
Step back in time with a personal tour of this 1907 home, showcasing 19th-century life and original artifacts.
Interactive Exhibits
Des Plaines History Center
Discover local history through engaging displays, including military uniforms and historical toys. You can even touch some items!
Unique Souvenirs
Gift Shop
Find affordable and humorous Des Plaines merchandise with local jokes – perfect for unique souvenirs.
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Planning Your Visit
Free Admission & Private Tours
Parking & Duration
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Request a Private Tour
Enhance your visit by asking for a private tour of the Kinder House. It's a personal and informative experience. :star:
📸 Photo-Friendly Exhibits
Capture memories! You're welcome to take photos of most exhibits and the Kinder House. Some items can even be touched. :camerawithflash:
💰 Support the Gem
Consider making a donation to help keep this wonderful local history gem thriving for future visitors. :heart:
🕰️ Allow Ample Time
Allocate around 2 hours to fully enjoy both the History Center exhibits and the Kinder House tour. :clock1:
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Request a Private Tour
Enhance your visit by asking for a private tour of the Kinder House. It's a personal and informative experience. :star:
📸 Photo-Friendly Exhibits
Capture memories! You're welcome to take photos of most exhibits and the Kinder House. Some items can even be touched. :camerawithflash:
💰 Support the Gem
Consider making a donation to help keep this wonderful local history gem thriving for future visitors. :heart:
🕰️ Allow Ample Time
Allocate around 2 hours to fully enjoy both the History Center exhibits and the Kinder House tour. :clock1:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the Des Plaines History Center and Kinder House for their engaging exhibits and the exceptional, personal tours of the historic home. The free admission and friendly staff make it a highly recommended, accessible local attraction. Some find the main center exhibits brief, but the Kinder House tour is a standout experience.
"It is a very interesting Center to go with your family and kids. The House tour was great and totally free. It was great to visit it, I had known many interesting information about living in Des Plaines in 19th century. There were so many interesting original things and artefacts there! We visited this History Center during the Christmas time, so there ware many original retro Christmas decorations inside the House."
Yulia Ageeva
"PHOTOS - You can take photos of exhibits and the Kinder House. You can also actually touch some exhibits.
TIP - Request a private tour of the Kinder House
PRICE - Free
LOCATION - Near downtown Des Plaines
PARKING - Free parking on the street
DURATION - 2 hours
EXHIBITS - Right when you enter you are greeted and welcomed. We were told that if we wanted we could be given a tour of the Kinder house, which you should do.
The History Center is small. It won’t take you longer than an hour to see all the exhibits and read all the exhibit captions. However, at least you feel that you actually are able to see everything and read most of the center’s descriptions. When you go to a very large museum, you sometimes feel overwhelmed with the amount of information.
It will take another hour to see the Kinder house, which is a house next door. It was built in 1907 by the affluent Kinder family that owned and operated a local hardware store. The tour is very personal. You can ask questions and even touch some exhibits.
For such a small place, DPHC had some very interesting items: WW I and WW II military and navy uniforms were interesting. They were not behind bullet-proof glass but rather out in the open. You could see close & personal the material, the cut & seams.
There were couple fascinating items in the Kinder house: 1) the double electric/gas lights. Since electricity was new at the time that the house was built, the gas side served as ‘just in case’ the new technology - electricity didn’t work ;-); 2) the three nobs in the kitchen - for hot, cold and hard water. Since the plumbing system was rather new, the hard water served as ‘just in case’ alternative; 3) ‘modern,’ for the time, toys and books - fun for kids to see."
Agnieszka “Aki” Stepinska
"The museum is fun, and I believe the exhibits rotate.
What I really enjoyed was the gift shop, which had affordable Des Plaines merch with local jokes on them. Was very happy to get some souvenirs!"
Abigail Milovancevic
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Des Plaines History Center is conveniently located near downtown Des Plaines. Free street parking is available nearby, making it easy to access by car.
Yes, there is free street parking available near the History Center, especially close to downtown Des Plaines.
Driving is a convenient option due to the available free street parking. Public transport options might be available depending on your starting point in Des Plaines.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, admission to the Des Plaines History Center and the Kinder House is completely free, making it an accessible outing for everyone.
While not strictly required, it's recommended to inquire about or request a private tour of the Kinder House upon arrival to ensure availability and a personalized experience.
Operating hours can vary, so it's best to check the official Des Plaines History Center website or call ahead. However, visits during weekends or special events like Christmas are popular.
Yes, you can touch some of the exhibits at the Des Plaines History Center, which adds to the interactive and engaging experience.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
A visit typically takes about 2 hours. This includes time to explore the History Center exhibits (around an hour) and take a tour of the Kinder House (another hour).
You'll find fascinating exhibits on local history, including military uniforms, historical artifacts, and information about life in Des Plaines. The Kinder House tour offers a glimpse into a 1907 home.
Absolutely! Families and kids often love the History Center. The interactive exhibits and the chance to touch some items, along with the personal Kinder House tour, make it engaging for younger visitors.
Yes, you are permitted to take photos of the exhibits and within the Kinder House, allowing you to capture your visit.
The museum is known to have rotating exhibits, so there might be new things to discover on each visit. They also have special decorations during Christmas time.
🍽️ 🛍️ Shopping & Dining
Yes, there is a gift shop that offers affordable Des Plaines merchandise, often featuring humorous local jokes, making it a great place to find unique souvenirs.
The Des Plaines History Center itself does not appear to have dining facilities. However, its location near downtown Des Plaines means there are likely many restaurants and cafes in the vicinity.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Staff are frequently described as extremely caring and welcoming, ensuring that children feel comfortable and engaged throughout their visit. The manageable size of the center means kids are less likely to get overwhelmed, allowing them to absorb the history at their own pace. Don't forget to check out the gift shop for fun, locally themed souvenirs!
💰 Budget Travelers
While there, you can enjoy a comprehensive experience by taking the tour of the Kinder House and exploring the various exhibits. The gift shop also offers affordable souvenirs, allowing you to take a piece of Des Plaines home without breaking the bank.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring the Kinder House
Key features often highlighted include the double electric/gas lights, a testament to the novelty of electricity at the time, and the three-knob kitchen faucet for hot, cold, and hard water, reflecting early plumbing systems. The house also showcases period-appropriate toys and books, providing a glimpse into childhood entertainment of the era.
Visitors consistently praise the knowledgeable and friendly guides who lead the Kinder House tours. Their insights bring the house and its former occupants to life, making the experience both educational and enjoyable. It's a highly recommended part of any visit to the Des Plaines History Center.
The Des Plaines History Center Experience
What sets this center apart is its interactive nature. Visitors are often delighted to find that they can touch certain exhibits, making the history more tangible and engaging, especially for younger audiences. The staff are noted for being exceptionally welcoming and caring, contributing to a positive atmosphere that makes visitors, including children, feel right at home.
Beyond the historical displays, the gift shop is a pleasant surprise, offering affordable and often humorous Des Plaines merchandise with local inside jokes. It's a great spot to pick up a unique souvenir that reflects the town's character.
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