DuPage County Historical Museum wins grant for building improvements

WHEATON – The Wheaton Park District recently was awarded a $750,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to pursue a project aimed at stabilizing the masonry and rebuilding the gutters of the DuPage County Historical Museum building in Wheaton.

The historic 1891 building originally housed the Adams Memorial Library and currently houses historical exhibits, artifacts and archives that help tell the story of the county’s history, according to a news release. The museum is operated as a facility of the Wheaton Park District and is owned by the county.

The grant will be issued through the IDNR’s Museum Capital Grant Program.

“The quality of your plans to enhance museum opportunities for Illinois’ citizens is recognized by your selection in this year’s very competitive selection process,” Gary Eicken, chief of the IDNR’s Office of Grant Management Assistance, wrote in a letter to Wheaton Park District Executive Director Michael Benard. “Congratulations on being a successful applicant and thank you for your dedicated efforts to improve cultural and educational opportunities in Illinois.”

The museum is at 102 E. Wesley St. in Wheaton.

“The much-needed building repairs to the DuPage County Historical Museum, enabled by this generous grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, will allow county residents and visitors to continue benefiting greatly from the museum’s exemplary programs and exhibits for years to come,” Benard said in the release.

To learn more about the museum, visit dupagemuseum.org.