Naper Settlement presents the following events and programs during May 2024. In May, the museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10AM-4PM and Sunday from 1-4PM with general museum admission $12 for adults (13+), $10 for seniors (62+), and $8 for youth (4-12). Naperville residents with proof of residency, children under 4, and members receive complimentary admission. For more information about a specific event or program and to purchase museum admission tickets, visit NaperSettlement.org.
Origins of Naperville Walking Tour
Thursday, May 2 & 30 • 5:30-6:30PM
$15/person, free for children under 4 | Register
Listen to stories from Naperville’s founding to the generosity of Caroline Martin Mitchell on a walking tour of the west side of downtown Naperville. The tour lasts approximately 60 minutes and covers about two miles. Open to all ages. Pre-registration is required.
Weed Ladies Spring Sale
Thursday, May 9 to Saturday, May 11 • 10AM-3:30PM
Free to attend the sale | Learn More
The Weed Ladies Spring Sale features creative seasonal floral arrangements for sale. Each one-of-a-kind silk or dried floral creation has been designed by the Weed Ladies of the Naperville Heritage Society volunteer group. Proceeds benefit the Naperville Heritage Society. Admission to the Weed Ladies Spring Sale is free. Please enter Naper Settlement’s main entrance and inform the Guest Services Team that you are attending the Spring Sale.
Town and Gown Walking Tour
Thursday, May 9 • 5:30-6:30PM
$15/person, free for children under 4 | Register
Explore the east side of downtown Naperville and learn about the ways the community developed along with North Central College. The tour lasts approximately 60 minutes and covers about two miles. Open to all ages. Pre-registration is required.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Historian: A Strong Back and a Strong Mind
Thursday, May 9 • 7-8PM
$10/person | Register
Join Naper Settlement’s curators to learn how the museum’s new exhibit “A Strong Back and a Strong Mind” developed and major stories of the Naperville Fire Department’s 150-year history. Attendees can receive 1.0 CPDU credit.
4-H Day
Saturday, May 11 • 10AM-2PM
Free for 4-H members and Naperville residents; Included in general admission | Register
Naper Settlement’s campus will come alive with activities that explore the fascinating world of agriculture and history! Inside the new IDNR STEM Learning Lab, kids in grades 1-6 and their families can explore a variety of hands-on activities that teach innovation in agriculture, history, and sustainability! Meet local 4-H groups and see how non-profit, OLI is combating food insecurity and honoring veterans at Naper Settlement’s gardens.
Downtown Naperville Architecture Walking Tour
Thursday, May 16 • 5:30-6:30PM
$15/person, free for children under 4 | Register
Learn about the important and interesting architecture from the 1800s to today that makes downtown Naperville a beautiful place to live, work, and play. The tour lasts approximately 60 minutes and covers about two miles. Open to all ages. Pre-registration is required.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Historian Book Club: Fire Weather: A True Story from a Hotter World
Saturday, May 18 • 2-3:30PM
Free for Naperville residents and Naper Settlement members; $10/person if not a member or resident | Register
Your Friendly Neighborhood Historian now has a book club! Join us as we discuss “Fire Weather: A True Story from a Hotter World” by John Vaillant. It is recommended that you read the book, but it is not required.
Teacher Tuesdays: A Strong Back and a Strong Mind Exhibit (Virtual)
Tuesday, May 21 • 4-5PM
$10/teacher | Register
Transform your Tuesdays into an engaging historical discussion and leave with 1.0 CPDU credit. Learn about Naper Settlement’s new exhibit, “A Strong Back and a Strong Mind” and how it can be incorporated into field trips and classroom work. Teacher Tuesdays is a virtual professional development program for teachers. Pre-registration is required.
Naperville Cemetery Walking Tour
Thursday, May 23 • 5:30-6:30PM
$15/person, free for children under 4 | Register
As you stroll through the serenity of this final resting place, you will step back into the past to learn the stories of pioneers, trailblazers, and everyday heroes who once breathed life into the very streets you walk today. Open to all ages. Pre-registration is required.
Paint by Beer (Craft by Beer Series)
Thursday, May 23 • 7-9PM
$20/adult (21+) | Register
Relive your childhood with Paint by Numbers, only this time enjoy a drink as you fill in the canvas. Learn about the history of Paint by Numbers, get inspired by vintage examples, and take home your own painting. You must be at least 21 years of age to participate. A valid ID is required at event entry. Pre-registration is required.
About Naper Settlement
Naper Settlement is a nationally accredited, award-winning outdoor living history museum set on 13 magnificent acres in the heart of Naperville. Located 30 miles from Chicago, the museum is home to thirty-one historical structures dating back as early as the 1830s. Featuring exhibits, special events, educational programming and more, Naper Settlement is where history comes alive and the community comes to connect. For more information, visit www.napersettlement.org or call (630) 420-6010.
