History

Preservation of history is a priority of the Village of Addison.  The Addison Historical Commission, appointed by the Village Board, maintains a history of the Village, provides for the safekeeping of historical items and solicits and accepts memorials.

In 1998, the Addison Historical District was formed for the purpose of protecting and preserving historical structures in the Village of Addison.  Army Trail Blvd., from Kennedy Drive to Lake Street was designated, and includes St. Paul Lutheran Church built in 1906; and the Addison Century House, built in 1893 and restored to its original condition, and the Addison Historical Museum.

Both the Century House and Historical Museum are maintained by the Village of Addison and Historical Commission.

Historical Museum

Also known as the Balzer House, this building was originally located on East Lake Street, and owned by the Balzer family, one of the first families of Addison.  The home and its accompanying Coach House (which was the first Addison Township Office) was moved in March 1999 alongside the Century House to become a permanent home for the Addison Historical Museum.  The museum is open Saturdays 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., and June through August, is also open Wednesdays noon - 3 p.m.  Call 630/628-1433 for information

Century House

Built in 1893 as a teachers' home for the Lutheran School, this building was purchased by the Village of Addison in 1993 to help preserve a piece of local history.  It was renovated, restored and furnished to recreate the look of the late 1800s, all through donations from the Community.  The Century House is open for tours by appointment only – call 630/628-1433 for information.

Addison – Village of Friendship

In 1984, in commemoration of the Village's 100th Anniversary of Incorporation, a book was published, called Addison – Village of Friendship. It was researched, compiled and written by members of the Addison Centennial Commission.  Copies were sold within the community, and the Addison Public Library still has a copy in circulation.
To read Addison – Village of Friendship, click here.  (Please note: this is an extremely large file and may take some time to download.)  

 

For more information about Addison's history, enter the Historical Museum site.