America 250

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, the Ellwood House Museum has planned exhibits, programming site improvements, and other updates to commemorate this historic event.

Learn more below!

Exhibits

DeKalb residents have commemorated milestones of American history through the preservation of family artifacts, involvement with civic organizations, the performance of patriotic music, and the creation of folk handicrafts and costumes. This exhibit explores the continued celebration of American history through artifacts from the museum’s collection.
Celebrate the opening of this exhibit with us on Saturday, June 27 from 4pm-6pm at the Ellwood House Museum Visitor Center.
In celebration of 250 years of American history, students from Phoenix Academy at Kishwaukee Education Consortium have curated an exhibit for the Ellwood House Museum that explores their place in the present.
Titled “Life as a Teen in 2026” the project began as a way to engage youth in national and local history. Over the 2025-2026 school year, students met with representatives from the DeKalb County History Center and Ellwood House Museum to discuss meaningful objects they could use to represent their lives while learning research methods and museum best practices.
The students’ stories explore themes of peer pressure, gun violence, and discovering one’s identity in the age of social media. Each project is presented in the shape of a school locker.
The exhibit is on display through October, and is located in the Ellwood House Museum Visitor Center.

Programming

The “Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series,” is a series free monthly programs offered in collaboration by the Ellwood House Museum and DeKalb County History Center. Registration is not necessary, and participants are welcome to bring lunch and eat during the program. This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.
In honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States, the 2026 Brown Bag Lunch series topics will focus on commemorating this historic milestone through lectures that relate to the history of DeKalb County, it’s residents, and the impact they have on our community today.
Click here for more information on each lecture topic this year.
Description to be added at a later date.

Site Improvements

A small grove of native Paw Paw trees has been added to the south side of the Ellwood House Museum campus, near the Ellcourt Coach House, promoting conservation and biodiversity on our campus. The Paw Paws have been outfitted with custom made cages and coverings to protect them from the elements as they mature into full trees from saplings.
Other areas on our campus to find native species that promote biodiversity are within the Berg, Rain, and Butterfly Gardens.
Description to be added at a later date.
Patriotic bunting will be added to the facade of the Ellwood House in celebration of America 250.