Museum by Candlelight

The Cook County Historical Society is excited to announce a brand new event, “Museum by Candlelight.” The 1st annual “Museum by Candlelight” will take place on Saturday, November 28, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Cook County History Museum. A second event will take place on a weeknight in December. Stay tuned for a specific date. 

We invite you to join us at the former lighthouse keeper’s residence, built in 1896, to celebrate the season of winter holidays. Walk through the History Museum, lit by candlelight and festive decor, as we gather to celebrate the warmth of the season. 

Volunteer decorating event

On Saturday, November 21, 2026, we are looking for volunteers to help us decorate ahead of the event. Anyone can stop by between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to help! 

Decor Donations

Additionally, to help make this event a success, we’re looking for decoration donations! If you have extra garland, string lights, or natural decor taking up storage space, we’d love to take them off your hands. Your contributions will help us host this event for years to come.

Here are a few specific items we need. All donations should be clean, in working order, and in excellent condition. To reflect our historic setting while keeping the event open, inclusive, and accessible to all, we request nondenominational decorations with a natural look and feel that celebrate the spirit of the winter season. 

  • Garlands

  • Wreaths

  • Ornaments

  • Small Christmas trees (4 ft or smaller)

  • String of lights (working condition, multi-colored ok)

  • Stars

  • Birch logs/branches

  • Pinecones

  • Battery-operated/electric flameless candles (working condition, with batteries if applicable)

  • Lanterns (if battery-operated, in working condition with batteries)

  • Candlesticks and candle holders (decorative only, not to be lit)

  • Mason jars (16 oz/pint size, wide or regular mouth OK)

  • Electric tea lights/fairy lights (working condition, with batteries)

We are NOT looking for

  • Santa or snowman decorations

  • Inflatables or blow mold decorations

  • Any religious iconography

DOnation Drop offs

Donations can be dropped off in person at the History Museum (8 S. Broadway) during regular hours (winter hours beginning October 22: Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Please do not leave items at the front or back door when we are not open.

The last day to drop off donations is Saturday, November 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.