In 1968, the Village of Glen Ellyn purchased an old building located on Geneva Road, just west of N. Main Street. This much-modified building originally was a wayside inn built by Moses and Joann Stacy in 1846, just 12 years after the first settlers arrived here.
At the urging of Village officials, The Glen Ellyn Historical Society was formed in 1969 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization by a group of volunteers to assist the Village in restoring the building to its original condition and to furnish it with period-appropriate furniture, stoves, cooking and eating utensils, and tools. That task took seven years, but the result was an award-winning museum which stands today as the only fully restored stagecoach inn in Illinois resting on its original foundation.
The Glen Ellyn Historical Society continues to operate Stacy’s Tavern Museum for the Village, providing regular tours guided by knowledgeable docents. But the Society’s role in the community has grown considerably since 1969.
Around the Museum you will find the History Park at the intersection of Main Street and Geneva Road in Glen Ellyn. Offices and programs are offered at the Glen Ellyn History Center at 800 N. Main Street. Inside the History Center, you will find the Glen Ellyn Center for Historical Research and our wonderful gift shop, Stacy’s Corners Store.
Also part of the History Park is Ward Plaza at the corner of Geneva Road and N. Main Street. This beautiful plaza offers a welcoming north entrance to the Village of Glen Ellyn. Opened in 2011, it is dedicated to Historical Society members and long-time volunteers Doug and Ruthann Ward.
The Historical Society's mission is to preserve and honor our history. Our vision is a vibrant organization that educates, engages and inspires through history. We hope you will join us in creating a vibrant community with a rich past and promising future.
The Glen Ellyn Historical Society is governed by the members of its Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is approved by the membership at the Annual Meeting each November. The members of the current board for the 2024-2025 year are:
Tim Loftus, President
Nancy Sternik, Vice President
Hal Hothan, Treasurer
Mark Pfefferman, Secretary
Lee Marks
Maureen Shekleton
Jean Jeske
Leland Livingston
Jane Rio
Kirk Burger
Dan Anderson
If you are interested in learning more about the Board, please contact the current Board President, Dan Anderson, or the Executive Director. It is recommended that people interested in serving on the Board should become members of the Historical Society; have a significant interest in the Village of Glen Ellyn, as a resident or through business; have volunteer experience with the Historical Society; have an interest in local history and/or historic preservation; and can offer the Board an area of expertise which complements the talents of current Board members. Board members are elected for two-year terms.
Approved by the Board of Directors Feb. 16, 2022
The Glen Ellyn Historical Society is committed to a practice of non-discrimination and equal opportunity in all its aspects, including its education programs, activities, employment, collections and publications. We are dedicated to complying with all laws and applicable regulations that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. We are resolved to being an inclusive, representative, and equitable institution. Our dedication to scholarship and learning, inspiration and civic engagement seeks to make our members, volunteers, staff and the public feel welcome and included. We are continually learning how to become a better resource for our community and how to more accurately share the history and stories of the diversity of people who have played roles in Glen Ellyn’s past. It is our intention to help all people feel welcome and have the opportunity to create meaningful connections with local history.
A special task force of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society spent seven months in 2011 drafting a comprehensive update of the Society’s bylaws, which were initially adopted in 1968. These new bylaws include significant changes in the Society’s committee structure, the makeup of the Board and officers, and other governance issues. They were unanimously approved by the Board of Directors on July 19, 2011.
GEHS Bylaws (pdf)
DownloadMay 2024 Newsletter (pdf)
DownloadCopyright © 2024 Glen Ellyn Historical Society - All Rights Reserved.
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