On Saturday, June 28, the Ellwood House Museum unveiled two new exhibits: Arts in Action and the Ellwood Eclectic. Together, they invite visitors to explore local history in new ways, one through community collaboration and storytelling, and the other through architecture, design, and personal expression.

Arts in Action: Sharing Voices

Arts in Action is an ongoing collaborative project between the Ellwood House Museum and the DeKalb County History Center that invites visitors to examine local history through a more inclusive lens. The exhibit explores themes of fear, exclusion, community, and hope, drawing on oral histories, original artwork, and historical research to amplify voices that have often been left out of traditional narratives.

Complemented by works from local artists, the exhibition encourages visitors to reflect on the complexity of identity and the ongoing struggle for equity and belonging. Through portraits, oral histories, and interactive displays, Arts in Action offers a space for dialogue, empathy, and connection.

Supported by the DeKalb County Community Mental Health Board and funded through Healing Illinois, this exhibit is part of a larger effort to build stronger, more unified communities by honoring the full spectrum of lived experiences in Northern Illinois.

The Ellwood Eclectic

Debuting alongside Arts in Action, the Ellwood Eclectic exhibition offers a fresh look at the architectural and decorative evolution of the Ellwood House from 1879 to 1912. As the Ellwood family adapted to new styles and needs, the mansion underwent constant change, sometimes dramatically, sometimes subtly, resulting in a truly eclectic blend of Victorian, Classical, and early 20th-century influences.

Much of the home’s distinctive style can be attributed to Harriet Ellwood, whose ever-growing collection of furnishings, books, and personal items brought a unique character to the mansion. Later generations continued this trend, layering their own aesthetic choices over the original structure.

Through photographs, architectural drawings, and materials from the museum’s collection, Ellwood Eclectic reveals the creativity, personality, and ambition behind the mansion’s many transformations. Whether you’re a design enthusiast or a history buff, this exhibit provides a fascinating glimpse into the shifting tastes and priorities of the Ellwood family, and how those choices continue to shape the house we see today.