Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie
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.
Designated as a Waukegan Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Carnegie Library opened in 1903 with a donation from Andrew Carnegie, a steel magnate and philanthropist who commissioned the construction of 2,509 libraries.