The small but mighty team at the Elmhurst History Museum (EHM), 120 E Park Ave., is proud to announce its latest original exhibition, History of Her: Women who Shaped Chicagoland, opening May 29 – August 9, 2026.
Since its establishment in 1833, Chicago and its surrounding neighborhoods have watched generations of girls grow into influential leaders, innovators, and advocates for their communities. As young adolescents, they learned, worked, and discovered their voices within the “city of big shoulders.” In History of Her: Women Who Shaped Chicagoland, EHM will explore the early pioneers who settled in the region, examine how girls were educated, and trace the career paths that propelled them forward. Other themes explored will be women in politics and news, social work, the arts, and sports.
“For more than 250 years, women have made an impact on the history of our country. Playing a vital role in shaping who we are and what is possible, inspiring generations of girls today,” said Sarah Cox, Curator of Exhibits. “History of Her: Women Who Shaped Chicagoland will present more than an exploration of the past—it will celebrate how girls and women, both then and now, continue to shape the world around them.”
From trailblazing activists to ground-breaking artists, educators, athletes, and community pioneers, the exhibition will feature artifacts and archival materials that illuminate women’s journeys and highlight the lasting impact they have on history.
EHM’s upcoming exhibit was inspired by the National Museum of American History’s award-winning 2023-2024 exhibition, Girlhood (It’s Complicated), which was held in celebration of 100 years of Women’s Suffrage. The Elmhurst History Museum was originally planning to present a smaller, localized version of the exhibit, but in late 2025, the Smithsonian Institution canceled the traveling exhibition. Already months into research and development to bring a Chicagoland version of Girlhood (It’s Complicated) to life, the EHM curation team decided to develop an entirely new, original exhibition exploring women and girls who had a significant influence on the Chicagoland area in the past, and today.
“While we had an unexpected change in our exhibition schedule, our team was committed to telling the stories of the impact women have had not only in our own community, but across the country. The City of Elmhurst is celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the United States with special programs and events throughout 2026, and we’re thrilled to present History of Her: Women Who Shaped Chicagoland during this monumental occasion,” said Dave Oberg, Executive Director. “Now more than ever, we feel it important to share this history. We are excited to welcome the community to view the exhibit this May and enjoy a full summer of celebrating local history with us here at the museum.”
The Elmhurst History Museum has also planned a range of programs and events for guests to further enjoy the themes presented in History of Her: Women who Shaped Chicagoland. On Sunday, July 12, locals and visitors alike are invited to a family-friendly Fearless & Fun Summer Jam outdoors at the museum featuring Fearless, an energetic Taylor Swift tribute band. The museum will also host a journalling workshop on July 25, offer multiple story times and crafts at the museum for little ones June – August, and more. Additional programs and events details may be found at elmhursthistory.org.
The exhibit will be on display May 29 - August 9, 2026. The Elmhurst History Museum is open to all ages and offers free admission. The museum is open 1 – 5 p.m. Sunday & Tuesday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, and closed Monday. For additional information, please visit www.elmhursthistory.org.
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The Elmhurst History Museum is a department of the City of Elmhurst supported by the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization. The Museum is located at 120 E. Park Ave. in downtown Elmhurst. General admission is free. For more information, call 630-833-1457 or visit our website at elmhursthistory.org.