Windmill Restoration Project

The Society's current project is a big one: relocating and restoring a long-forgotten urban windmill built in 1922 by the Elgin Wind, Power and Pump Co. Currently located in a back yard on Elgin's west side, the windmill pumped water into an elevated wooden tank. The windmill is located at 1310 Larkin Ave, but will be dismantled and trucked to Hampshire for restoration. The last remaining Elgin-built windmill within our city limits, the mill was deeded to the Elgin Area Historical Society by the current homeowner in November 2003. Check back here for information on the progress of the restoration in the coming months.
According to Elgin historian Mike Alft's book Days Gone By, the house at 1310 Larkin Ave. was built by George Peck in 1922-23 for his son Richard K. "Dick" Peck. The mill provided water for the residence, which was outside the city limits of the time.

Windmills were produced in Elgin for more than 60 years. George Peck was a department store owner and president of the Elgin Wind Power and Pump Co. from 1910-1935. Richard Peck was a pioneer Elgin aviator killed in 1931 near Wheaton while testing an experimental plane sponsored by the Chicago Daily News.

William D. Nichols and John M. Murphy entered a partnership to build windmills in 1883. Charles H. Geister joined them the following year, but by 1887 their company was in receivership. Nichols turned over his patents and factory to the newly organized Elgin Wind Power & Pump Company, headed by George M. Peck. By 1895, up to 50 mills and towers were being shipped weekly. The corporate name was changed to the Elgin Windmill Company in 1925. Rural electrification and the farm depression of the '20s brought a lingering death to the local windmill business. The Woodruff & Edwards foundry purchased Elgin Windmill in 1943, and windmill production ceased about 1947 or 1948.

 

 

Educational Programs

The Museum offers several interactive educational programs. Please call to make reservations. Simply tell us your program selection and have a few date and time options for your visit. We also need to know the age level and number of people in your group. We require one adult chaperone for every 10 children.

Let us know if you have any special considerations or if your group is focusing on a particular historical topic. Call us today at 847-742-4248 or send an email to reserve your group program. Here's the programs we offer:

This program runs from June through August and encourages families to visit other museums in the area. Kids and their families come to the Museum (children are free with a paying adult) to pick up a passport. Each time the child does one of the fun activities listed in the Passport, they present their passport to be stamped. If they visit 7 or more museums in the area (7 or more stamps in the Passport), they can come back to the Museum to pick out a prize from the Museum Store.

This tour, suitable for all age groups, traces the history of Elgin through exhibits focused on five areas: Elgin's Beginnings, Elgin's Architectural Heritage, the Watch Factory and other local industries, the Hiawatha Pageant, and Elgin Road Races. Maximum 60 participants.

 

Fun and educational, our scavenger hunts are a good way to learn about our area. Call for details!

Performed in Elgin for 50 years, the Hiawatha Pageant preserved Native AMerican dances and attracted thousands to Elgin. Children listen to Longfellow's poem, "Hiawatha," play a Native AMerican game, and make decorative bracelets for their own dances. 1st through 4th grades, ages 7 – 10. Maximum 30 children

Travel back in time for your first day of work at the Elgin National Watch Factory. Children get first day orientation and then it's into the factory to make prototype pocket watches! 3rd through 5th grades, ages 8 – 11. Meets cirriculum standards and includes pre- and post-visit activities. Maximum 60 children per group.

 

 

Bake an apple tart in Grandma's old-fashioned kitchen. Use her kitchen tools and discover the Elgin dairy industry while making butter. Please call for avaulable dates. 1st through 4th grades, ages 7 – 10. Maximum 30 children per group.

Newsletter

The Crackerbarrel is the Society's bimonthly newsletter. It has a calendar of upcoming events, articles of historical interest, and reminiscences of days gone by. Back issues of The Crackerbarrel are available at the Museum.

Museum Store

Be sure to visit the Museum Store when you come to the Museum. It features books, calendars, and other merchandise with a historical Elgin theme.