DeKalb County History Center

05/31/2026

Today at 1 pm!

Curious about this house? Join us at the Glidden Homestead this Sunday at 1 pm for an interesting presentation... Dr. Irene Robinson: A ‘Far-Seeking Ambitious’ Woman!

Most residents and visitors to DeKalb are familiar with the landmark red sandstone mansion located at the northwest corner of Lincoln Highway and First Street. Built in 1897 for Dr. Edward L. Mayo and his bride Harriet Ellwood, daughter of barbed wire baron Isaac Ellwood, the home has long carried a scandal-tinged backstory involving Mayo’s earlier divorce from Irene Robinson of Malta.

Until now, much of Irene Robinson’s life and fate has remained a mystery.

The program, “Dr. Irene Robinson 1862–1918: A ‘Far-Seeking Ambitious’ Woman & Reflections from a Personal Research Journey," will be presented by John Paris, Associate Professor of History at College of DuPage and a docent and board member at the Glidden Homestead. This engaging lecture will reveal the remarkable story of Dr. Irene Robinson, M.D. Through recent research, Paris overturns longstanding assumptions surrounding Robinson’s life to uncover the achievements of a pioneering woman physician whose story deserves renewed recognition. The program will also include reflections on Paris’ own personal journey through historical research and discovery.

Admission is $5 per person and free for Glidden Homestead members. Admission includes both the lecture and a guided tour of the historic homestead. The program will take place in the museum’s Welcome Center, located at 921 W. Lincoln Highway in DeKalb at 1 pm on Sunday, May 31.

05/30/2026

🎉 TODAY'S THE DAY! 🎉

The wait is over! Join us TODAY from 12–3 PM at the DeKalb County History Center as we celebrate the Grand Opening of our Campus Expansion Project and the debut of our exciting new special exhibit, "We the People of DeKalb County!" 🎖

Bring your family and friends for an afternoon packed with fun, history, and celebration!

✂️ Attend our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 12:15 PM
🏛 Be among the first to explore "We the People of DeKalb County," our special exhibit commemorating America's 250th Anniversary
🐐 Meet, pet, and feed adorable baby goats from Legacy Farms
🎨 Get your face painted by Creations by Kate
🧵 Create your own mini barn quilt during a workshop with Courtney Sliga of The Verdant Path at 1:30 PM
🌽 Tour our newly stabilized Corn Crib Outdoor Music Venue & Classroom, walking paths, pavilion, and more
🍪 Enjoy refreshments throughout the afternoon

Best of all, the Grand Opening Celebration is FREE! However, exhibit admission is just $5 per person, and members and children 14 and under are FREE.

Come celebrate this exciting new chapter for the History Center and discover the stories that connect us all. We can't wait to welcome you!

📍 Today | 12–3 PM
ℹ️ Learn more: dekalbcountyhistory.org

⭐🎉🐐

05/28/2026

👀 Exhibit Sneak Peek! 🎖

History Center staff and volunteers have been hard at work these past few weeks bringing "We the People of DeKalb County" to life, and we can’t wait to share it with you! From exhibit installation to finishing touches, excitement is building for our Grand Opening Celebration this Saturday, May 30, from 12–3 pm! ✨

Come explore inspiring stories of local changemakers while enjoying a fun-filled afternoon for the whole family!

🎟 Admission to the exhibit is $5 per person
✅ FREE for members and children 14 & under

PLUS enjoy lots of FREE activities, including:
🐐 Baby goats
🎨 Face painting
🌽 Corn crib tours
👩🏿‍🌾 Mini barn quilt painting workshop
🍪 Refreshments
…and more!

Join us as we celebrate the people, stories, and community that helped shape DeKalb County history. We hope to see you there!


Illinois America 250

05/27/2026

🌶️🫓 Fresh salsa, crunchy chips, live music, and local shopping? Yes please! 🫓🌶️

Opening Day of the Sycamore Farmers Market is almost here! Join us Tuesday, June 2, from 3–6 pm on the front lawn of the DeKalb County History Center for an afternoon full of flavor, community, and summer fun.

Today we’re highlighting One More Salsa, serving up homemade hot and mild salsa paired with delicious chips. Whether you like a little kick or something mild and fresh, their booth is a must-stop on market day. Yum!

Beyond the salsa, visitors can shop a rotating lineup of amazing local vendors offering baked goods, flowers, honey, handmade goods, specialty foods, art, crafts, beverages, and more.

🎶 Live Music: The Jared Hurn Jazz Collective
🌮 Food Truck: The Press Box
🍹 Cocktails & mocktails from MVPs Sport Bar
🏛 Explore the “We the People of DeKalb County” exhibit while you’re here!

Bring a lawn chair or blanket, ride your bike over, and spend the afternoon enjoying everything local.

🗓 Tuesdays, June 2 – September 1
⏰ 3:00–6:00 pm

Featured Vendors Include:
Flourish Bakery • Half-Acre Pantry • One More Salsa • Rainbow Flock N Farm • Sandra's Homemade • The Boosted Bee • Prairie Wildflowers • Garden of Beauty • Stoney Willows • Petite Sweets by Cristy

05/27/2026

🎶 Meet one of the changemakers featured in our new special exhibit, "We the People of DeKalb County," legendary musician and conductor Dee Palmer (1914–2011)!

For more than 60 years, Dee Palmer led the DeKalb Municipal Band, leaving a lasting impact on generations of musicians and community members throughout DeKalb County. His legacy still lives on today at the Dee Palmer Bandshell in Hopkins Park, where music continues to bring the community together. 🎵

Come discover more inspiring stories of local changemakers during the Grand Opening of "We the People of DeKalb County" this Saturday, May 30, from 12–3 pm! Admission is $5 per person, but members and children 14 & under are free.

Join us for an afternoon of exhibit exploration, special grand opening festivities, and a celebration of the people who helped shape DeKalb County’s history. We can’t wait to see you there! ✨

DeKalb Muni Band DeKalb Park District

05/26/2026

🍞✨ Gluten-free goodness is coming to the Sycamore Farmers Market! ✨🍞

We’re excited to welcome Flourish Bakery of Sycamore for Opening Day of the Sycamore Farmers Market on Tuesday, June 2, from 3–6 pm on the front lawn of the DeKalb County History Center!

Flourish Bakery specializes in delicious gluten-free baked goods, making it easy for everyone to enjoy fresh, handcrafted treats while shopping local. Be sure to stop by their booth and explore all the other incredible vendors bringing fresh produce, flowers, honey, handmade goods, specialty foods, art, crafts, and more to the market this season.

🎶 Live Music: The Jared Hurn Jazz Collective
🌮 Food Truck: The Press Box
🍹 Cocktails & mocktails from MVP Sports Bar
🏛 Explore the “We the People of DeKalb County” exhibit while you’re here!

Bring a blanket or lawn chair, ride your bike over, and enjoy an afternoon of local food, music, and community.

Market Season: Tuesdays, 3–6 pm
June 2 – September 1

Featured June 2 Vendors Include:
Flourish Bakery • Half-Acre Pantry • One More Salsa • Rainbow Flock N Farm • Sandra's Homemade • The Boosted Bee • Prairie Wildflowers • Garden of Beauty • Stoney Willows • Petite Sweets by Cristy

05/26/2026

South Second Street from Grove Street looking north toward Lincoln Highway in DeKalb, circa 1960.

05/26/2026

As we pause this Memorial Day to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, we also look ahead to a season of community, connection, and local traditions. ❤️

And speaking of traditions… the countdown is almost over! 🎉 The Sycamore Farmers Market Opening Day is just ONE WEEK from tomorrow!

Starting Tuesday, June 2 from 3–6 PM, join us every week on the beautiful campus of the DeKalb County History Center for an unforgettable summer filled with:

🌽 Fresh local produce
🍞 Delicious baked goods & specialty foods
🎨 Handmade art & crafts
🎵 Live music in our historic corn crib venue
🚚 Food trucks
🍹 Drinks from MVP’s
☀️ Family-friendly fun & community gathering

Bring a lawn chair, bring a friend, and come celebrate all the amazing farmers, makers, musicians, and small businesses that make DeKalb County special.

Over the next week, we'll be sharing highlights about vendors, music, food trucks, and more, here AND on the Sycamore Farmers Market page if you want to give it a follow.

📍 DeKalb County History Center
1730 N. Main Street, Sycamore
🗓 Tuesdays | June 2 – September 1
⏰ 3–6 PM

Summer Tuesdays can’t come soon enough! 🌻