Announcing our fall concerts and more

Fall Concert Series

Experience live music in the Dawes House, where rich acoustics and historic charm create an unforgettable setting. Join us for our newly announced fall concert series, each featuring refreshments and the opportunity to explore the House and its exhibitions. In honor of Charles Dawes’ love of music, all 2025 concert tickets are discounted through his birthday on August 27. Seating is limited—reserve yours today.

The Musician Dawes: Celebrating Charles Dawes' Musical Life and Legacy

Sunday, October 5, 2025

4:00 pm


The Musician Dawes with Sara Su Jones, violin and Tatyana Stepanova, piano.

Weird Sisters: Songs of Witches, Magic, and Powerful Women

Sunday, October 26, 2025

3:00 pm


Weird Sisters: Songs of Witches, Magic and Powerful Women with vocal ensemble La Caccina.

A Charlie Brown Christmas Soundtrack Live

Thursday, December 4, 2025

6:30 pm


A Charlie Brown Christmas Soundtrack played live by the Chris White Trio.

Upcoming Events

Color image of exterior of a brick building with ornamental designs

Brick by Brick Walking Tour

Saturday, August 16, 2025

11:00 am

$20/$15 members


We’re all over Evanston this summer exploring our city’s architecture!


Next up Brick by Brick, an exploration of the materials, colors, and building materials that compose Southeast Evanston’s remarkable architecture.

Promotional image for the August 27 2025 Untold Stories of Charles Dawes' Life in Music event

Talks@EHC: The Untold Story of Dawes’ Life in Music

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

6:30 pm

FREE


You may have heard that the popular hit “It’s All in the Game” is based on the “Melody” that Charles Gates Dawes composed in 1911, before he became Vice President and won the Nobel Peace Prize. For Dawes, music was not merely a pleasurable avocation, but a defining axis of his life—vital to understanding who he was. In this talk, violinist and independent researcher Sara Su Jones will share previously untold stories of Dawes’s multifaceted musical life, from his music-making and composing to his generous support of musical artists and organizations. Stories of Dawes’s life in music, gleaned from Sara Su’s extensive archival research, will yield fresh insights into this intriguingly multi-talented public figure.

reFashioning History

Thursday, September 18,2025

7:00 pm

$75


Tickets are now available for the most unique fashion event in Evanston. Chicagoland fashion designers and creators take inspiration from a curated selection of objects from our extensive, historically significant costume collection. On September 18, the designs will be unveiled at the Opening Soiree. Join us to meet the designers, view a special exhibition of our costume collection, mingle socially in a beautiful lakeside setting, and experience fashion and history intertwining in a unique way.

Talks@EHC: Our Stories in Evanston/Nuestras Historias en Evanston  

Thursday, September 25, 2025

6:30pm

FREE


Latinos have been a part of Evanston’s community since at least 1885, yet this vibrant history is only now beginning to be collected and documented. This effort is led by Evanston Latinos, a local nonprofit, in conjunction with significant events such as the recent naming and dedication of the Jorge and Luz Maria Prieto Community Center. Join us for pan y cafecito as we listen to diverse Latino families share their experiences of building lives and community in Evanston over the years. Learn more about your neighbors, share your own stories, and engage in meaningful conversation This event will be moderated by Evanston Latinos and will be conducted in English with Spanish translation available.

Presented in partnership with Evanston Latinos.

Promotional image for the September 28 2025 Hat Making Tea Party

reFashioning History Hat-Making Tea Party

Sunday, September 28, 2025

4:00 pm

$40/$35 members


Meet at the Dawes House to sip tea and create your own fascinator or headpiece under the instruction of costume designer Anna Glowacki, a reFashioning History design competition finalist. Fabric, materials, patterns, and tea are all included. This workshop-party will culminate in the opportunity for participants to model their creations throughout the beautiful backdrop of the Dawes House.

Visit the Dawes House in Summer

Color image of a tour guide giving a tour of the interior of the Dawes House

The cool Dawes House is a wonderful indoor activity when you need to beat the August heat! The House is open to the public Thursdays through Sundays from 1-4pm. Guided tours are given on the hour. Admission is $10, and is free to members, children under 12, non-active military personnel and their families, anyone receiving SNAP benefits, and District 65 teachers. Always check the website before coming, as we are sometimes closed for rentals and special events.

Historic Tidbits

Black and White image of the Evanston Farmer’s Market circa 1980

50 years of the Evanston Farmer’s Market



The Evanston Farmer’s Market, a summer tradition for many, celebrated its 50th anniversary this summer. When it premiered in June 1975, it was the first in the area. It was conceived and organized by five Evanston women- including Harriet Friedlander, Margo Ladwig, and Blair Grumman- who founded the Evanston Farmer’s Market Commission. Supported by the Evanston Chamber of Commerce, it was an immediate success. On the first day, farmers sold out so quickly that many returned to their farms to replenish their stock for the rest of the day. Local small and independent grocers, such as Smithfield’s, objected that the market suppliers were not held to the same health and safety requirements, giving them a pricing advantage. These grocers were already struggling with supermarket pricing competition and were out of business by the 1990s. You can visit the Farmers Market at 1800 Maple Avenue on Saturdays from 7:30am-1pm through November 1.

 

Photo: Evanston Farmer’s Market circa 1980