Naper Settlement will reopen to the public on Tuesday, July 14 with free general admission through August 23.
The twice, nationally accredited history museum has modified all areas of its operations to accommodate social distancing and safety guidelines set in phase four of the Restore Illinois Plan. For a full list of visitor guidelines, visit NaperSettlement.org/reopen.
Note also that admission and timed experiences are offered at a limited capacity and are on a first-come, first-served basis.
In addition to ticketed mansion tours, Naper Settlement has launched several new mobile tours and a site-wide walking tour that will provide an overview of the more than 30 buildings on-site and include a demonstration at the Blacksmith Shop. Both the site-wide walking tour and Martin Mitchell Mansion tour will require advanced registration at the Pre-Emption House Visitor Center.
The Pre-Emption House will be open, and starting August 26, Women’s Equality Day, Naper Settlement’s Women: Waves of Change exhibit will be featured. To commemorate the centennial anniversary of the 19th Amendment’s passage, the exhibit will explore the stories of women, past and present, who were and are foundational in the formation and development of Naperville and beyond.
Naper Settlement’s Brushstrokes of the Past exhibit in the lower-level will remain closed due to damage from a ruptured water service line. Immediate action was taken by the museum staff to ensure the safety of the collections.
Playscape is just right for kids to begin exploring history
The Rita (Fredenhagen) and John Harvard Early Learning Playscape will open with limited capacity and timed reservations. Visitors will be required to register for a 90-minute time slot at the Pre-Emption House Visitor Center prior to utilizing the playground and splashpad. Playscape cleaning will take place in between reservations.
Families with children in grades one through six are also encouraged to participate in the museum’s new Summer Slices program on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in July from 1-2:30PM. From DIY toy-making to a jelly fish adventure, each day will include a new educational activity designed with social distancing in mind. Camp Naper is nearly sold out, with a limited number of spots still available for July 21-23 and 28-30.
“While the visitor experience may be different from previous years, we will continue to safely provide engaging and unique experiences that connect visitors to our history,” said Rena Tamayo-Calabrese, president and CEO of Naper Settlement. “We are excited to introduce the community to a variety of experiences that promote social distancing and explore Naperville’s history in a new way.”
Naper Settlement, located at 523 S. Webster Street along Aurora Avenue, is just steps from the Naperville Riverwalk and a wide array of shopping and dining experiences to whet every appetite in downtown Naperville. After visiting the historic outdoor village, plan to follow Webster Street across the Riverwalk covered bridge and venture into the central business district. Spend the day discovering all the sights and sounds of summer in the city.
