Using the Frank B. Foster Research Room and EHC Archives
Public Hours:

Tuesdays -- 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Thursdays -- 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Saturdays  -- 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Admission: $5 for general public; students and EHC members are free (membership sign up available).

Photocopies, photograph reproductions, publication rights are available for additional fees.

Location: basement level of the Dawes House

General History Questions and Private Research Requests
General history questions can be made by phone (847-475-3410) or by emailing us at evanstonhs@northwestern.edu.

Fees for Private Research:
Simple Research (requiring only a quick check of our files)
Hourly Fee: $10.00

Complex Research:
Hourly Fee: $30.00

Please call 847 475-3410 or email evanstonhs@northwestern.edu to make a private research request.  Fees for private research must be paid before research can begin.  We accept cash, check or credit card.

What’s Available in our Collection for Researchers
 In the Research Library

• Approximately 3,500 books and publications on various subjects including: Evanston history and Evanston authors; Chicago (and its suburbs), Cook County and Illinois; Northwestern University; architecture; and genealogy.

• Evanston city directories from 1879-1963, some including Rogers Park and other North Shore communities.

• Evanston telephone directories from 1926 to present

In the Archival Collection

• Records of Ridgeville Township and Evanston (town, village and city), from 1840s to present.
• Collections documenting schools, churches, civic and social organizations, businesses and residents, including journals, correspondence, and organizational records.
• Newspapers and clippings files from local newspapers and periodicals, including: the Evanston Index, Evanston Press, Evanston News, Daily News, Evanston News-Index, Evanston Review, and Evanston Roundtable.
• Architectural and building records: house files with city records and real-estate listings for every house in Evanston and some commercial structures; Sanborn fire insurance maps; blueprints and plat surveys for many structures; and documentation for historic districts and landmarks.
• Maps and atlases of Evanston and vicinity.
• Photographs (biographical and subject files), slides, film, videotape and DVDs.
• Oral history interviews and other audio recordings.

The Evanston History Center has an extensive photograph collection. Some examples of historic photos in our collection are :

1876 image of Fountain Square Dedication
Fountain Square 1946
Construction of the Lighthouse circa 1874
Emerson Street YMCA
1946 Public Service Exhibit, Evanston Mayors