The site contains the oldest house in Naperville, the Martin Mitchell Mansion, which was built in 1883.
The collection includes the original 1842 St. John’s Episcopal Church, which was moved to the settlement in the 1970s.
Naper Settlement is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, a distinction held by fewer than 3% of U.S. museums.
The grounds feature a replica of a 19th-century one-room schoolhouse that serves as a teaching space for local students.
A specialized archives building on the property houses thousands of historic documents, photographs, and artifacts related to Naperville’s development.
Naper Settlement is a 13-acre outdoor living history museum located in the historic district of Naperville, Illinois. The site features a collection of 30 historical buildings, including homes, a chapel, a one-room schoolhouse, and a blacksmith shop, that depict life in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Joseph Naper, the city’s founder, established the original settlement here in 1831. Many buildings were relocated from their original sites within the Naperville area to this central location for preservation. The museum offers costumed interpreters and hands-on activities that demonstrate pioneer-era skills like weaving and carpentry. It serves as a regional center for local history education, operated by the Naperville Heritage Society. The grounds include landscaped gardens and replicated historical spaces that reflect the frontier lifestyle of Northern Illinois.
The front porch of the historic Martin Mitchell Mansion with its preserved Victorian-era architecture.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the 13-acre site consists largely of gravel paths and historic wooden structures.
Check the official website for 'History Speaks' lecture series or special reenactment event weekends to see the museum at its most active.
Bring a water bottle, as the outdoor nature of the exhibits offers limited climate control.
Do not expect a traditional air-conditioned, indoor gallery experience throughout the entire duration of your visit.
Closed on Sundays and Mondays. Generally closed for major public holidays.
Respect the historic integrity of the buildings by not touching artifacts, and follow staff guidance regarding which structures are open for interior entry.
