Geneva History Museum Will Celebrate 80 Years In October

GENEVA, IL — The Geneva History Museum is celebrating 80 years this October.

The anniversary event is set for 4-7 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group offices, 230 E. State St, the former home of Henry Bennett and his family. At 5 p.m. Mayor Kevin Burns will hold a special presentation and unveil a new plaque for the house.

Guests can look forward to appetizers, desserts and drinks. The great-great-granddaughters of Bennett — who purchased and expanded Geneva's flour mill in 1865 — will speak at the event as well.

The Geneva Historical Society was founded in 1943 by a group of dedicated citizens wanting to preserve local history and educate the community. A committee was formed in 1961 to raise funds for a building, and after years of searching for existing structures, they made a deal with the Geneva Park District and the city to build the first Geneva History Museum in Wheeler Park.

In 2022, the museum, located at 113 S. Third St., was accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, making it the first Kane County museum to receive national accreditation.