Park Forest 1950s House Museum
Step Back into the 1950s With Us!
227 Monee Road, Park Forest, IL
(inside St. Mary's Church)
What is the Park Forest 1950s House Museum?
The 1950s Park Forest House Museum interprets an original home as it might have been, 1948-1953. Operated by the Park Forest Historical Society.
A museum visit is a great way to get acquainted with Park Forest, Illinois' unique history as the first fully-planned, post-World War II suburb. Designed to provide housing for returning World War II veterans and their families, it has come to be known as "America's Original GI Town."
The museum provides a nostalgic trip down Memory Lane for anyone who lived in the 1950s or 1960s or for those interested in that period. Visitors are encouraged to open drawers, cupboards, and closets to discover period treasures inside. Contents of the house, furnished as though a young veteran and his family of small children occupy it, including dolls, toys, dollhouses, books, dishes, serving pieces, furniture, and clothing from the period. When was the last time you said "Hello," to Howdy Doody?
One room represents a classroom in the first school, Forest Boulevard School, set up by the developers in a row of converted townhomes.
The museum is decorated for various holidays, and seasonal touches are put out throughout the year. Learn more about the holiday transformations at the Park Forest Historical Society's 1950s Museum.
A museum guide will tell the story of how Park Forest came to be, along with social and fashion trends of the early 1950s. Photographs and rental brochures, magazine and newspaper articles are available here. A self-guided tour script is also available. A driving tour of Park Forest can be borrowed with a $5 deposit. Copies of the tour are available for purchase at $5.
Visit us at 227 Monee Road (in St. Mary's Catholic Church) in Park Forest, Illinois!
Get involved!
Visit the Park Forest 1950s House Museum
227 Monee Road, Park Forest, IL (in St. Mary's Church)
Museum Hours
Wednesdays & Saturdays
1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
CLOSED the month of January and most major holidays.
Group and school tours by appointment.
Contact us to request an appointment.
Entrance Fees
Adult: $5.00
Children ages 12 & under: Free with paying adult
Group rates are negotiable for large tours, school and scout field trips.
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