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History

hile the city of Sycamore is dedicated to enhancing the opportunities of residents, businesses and visitors of today, it maintains a strong link to its local history. Recognizing the importance of preserving Sycamore’s heritage, community members and businesses came together to found the Sycamore Historical Society and Museum in 1999. The first museum opened at 215 W. Elm Street in 2000, where it remained for five years. The collection was relocated to 208 W. State Street, until June of 2009, when the museum moved into its current location at the historic Engh Farm.

The location was chosen for its rich agricultural history, a significant aspect of Sycamore’s heritage. The buildings and grounds comprising Engh Farm underwent renovations to accommodate the new museum space. According to Michelle Donahoe, executive director of the Sycamore History Museum, the museum came to life thanks to the generous support of the community, which provided more than 3,000 volunteer hours and more than $125,000 of in-kind donations.

In its first summer of operation at Engh Farm, the museum welcomed more than 3,000 guests to explore its initial exhibit, a traveling Smithsonian exhibit named “Journey Stories,” followed by the award- winning “Memories from the Farm.” The farming exhibit wrapped up in July of 2010 after a year-long run, which featured stories and artifacts from community farmers. The main exhibit was coupled with a variety of related programming, with topics ranging from women on the farm, barns in Illinois and the history of DeKalb County fairs to Native American farming and the impact of John Deere’s steel plow. “The exhibit explored how the Engh Farm has changed over time and touched on agricultural technology, farm families and social organizations. Visitors really enjoyed this display because farming is still an important part of our community, but it has changed significantly in our recent past,” said Donahoe.

An exhibit, opening in August of 2010, places the spotlight on Downtown Sycamore. According to Donahoe, for many years, the heartbeat of a community could be felt in its downtown. Businesses, people, events and memories connected to the downtown was the foundation of small towns. Through this exhibit, the Sycamore History Museum takes a closer look at its downtown: how it has changed, what stayed the same and how it has remained vibrant over time. This exhibit will feature artifacts from early Sycamore businesses, photographs illustrating buildings no longer standing and quotes from historical documents exploring what business leaders believed to be the future of Downtown Sycamore.

In addition to overseeing the museum’s annually changing exhibits, local history collection and research archives, the Sycamore History Museum remains busy by offering year-round educational programming and much-anticipated special events. The organization employs a volunteer Garden Committee to maintain the flower, fruit, vegetable and kitchen gardens adorning a portion of the outdoor space at Engh Farm. The museum’s staff and volunteers also provide engaging programs designed for students, scouts, families and adults. Signature annual events are sprinkled across the calendar and are joined with such on-going programs as the monthly Brown Bag luncheon, featuring a new speaker each gathering, and the summer concert series, funded by the Mary E. Stevens Concert and Lecture Series fund.

There is no doubt the Sycamore History Museum will remain an important fixture in the community, today and tomorrow. With its new location at Engh Farm, its presence is sure to grow.

More information on the Sycamore History Museum is available online at www.sycamorehistory.org or by calling (815) 895-5762.