Waukegan, Illinois (April 21, 2025) – The Waukegan Park District and the Waukegan Historical Society announce the official ribbon cutting and opening ceremony for the Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 12pm. Located at 1 N. Sheridan Road in the heart of Downtown Waukegan overlooking Lake Michigan, the long-vacant, historic Carnegie Library has been beautifully restored and transformed into a vibrant museum showcasing Waukegan’s dynamic and diverse history. 

The new museum features an expansive permanent exhibit, “The Waukegan Chronicles,” which highlights Waukegan’s history from the ice age through the 21st century. The exhibit was created in collaboration with Luci Creative, an award-winning exhibit design firm, and features text in English and Spanish. Also on permanent display is the personal book collection of world-renowned author and Waukegan-native Ray Bradbury in the restored room where he spent many hours as a child nurturing his love for stories and books. The new museum houses the Waukegan Historical Society’s extensive research archives, hosts rotating temporary exhibits, and offers a variety of educational programs throughout the year for visitors of all ages. 

As part of the grand opening celebration, the Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie will host open houses, including following the ribbon cutting and opening ceremony on Thursday, May 1, 2025 until 6pm, Friday, May 2, 2025 from 12pm to 6pm, Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 9am to 3pm, and Sunday, May 4, 2025 from 12pm to 3pm. The open houses will be an opportunity to visit and explore the new museum with free admission. 

Designated as a Waukegan Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Waukegan Carnegie Library opened in 1903 and was funded by Andrew Carnegie, a steel magnate and philanthropist who commissioned the construction of 2,509 libraries worldwide. The Waukegan Park District and the Waukegan Historical Society engaged Harboe Architects, a top preservation architectural firm, to lead the design process and oversee the building’s meticulous restoration and adaptive reuse to become the new Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie. 

Anton L. Mathews, President of the Waukegan Park District Board of Commissioners, stated, “The Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie will be a source of pride and inspiration for generations. With the opening of the new museum, Waukegan’s vibrant past will now be better preserved and shared in meaningful and interactive ways with the community. 

Lori Nerheim, President of the Waukegan Historical Society’s Board of Directors, stated, “We are thrilled to have been able to save this iconic building and make this dream come true for so many people. The new museum will connect and tell the stories of local human and natural history, and attract visitors from across the region.” 

Jay Lerner, Executive Director of the Waukegan Park District, stated, “The Waukegan Park District is proud to have partnered with the Waukegan Historical Society on the restoration and adaptive reuse of the historic Carnegie Library. This project is an example of what can happen with collaboration and a shared vision. The Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie will truly showcase Waukegan’s story for years to come.” 

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