Naper Settlement presents various events and programs throughout January and February 2026. The museum welcomes visitors Tuesday through Friday from 10AM to 4PM. Admission prices are $6 for adults (13+), $5 for seniors (62+) and veterans, and $4 for youth (ages 4-12). Naperville residents (with proof of residency), children under 4, and members can enter for free. For details about specific events or programs, or to purchase tickets, visit NaperSettlement.org.
History Unplugged: Prepare for the 250 (Elementary)
Tuesday, January 6 • 4-5PM
Free virtual program | Register
Join Naper Settlement for an interactive workshop that empowers educators to prepare for the 250th anniversary of the United States! Engage in hands-on activities that explore key historical themes and collaborate to develop creative lesson plans that bring the themes of America’s 250 to life. Leave inspired by innovative strategies to create impactful learning experiences for your students as we celebrate and reflect on this historic milestone. This virtual program is for elementary school teachers.
Family STEM Night: Slime Time
Thursday, January 8 or 22 • 6-7PM
$8/person | Register
Ever wonder how to create the best slime? Perfect your recipe at Family STEM Night: Slime Time! Investigate the states of matter and non-Newtonian fluids while comparing different popular slime making techniques. Activities include making ooey gooey Oobleck and making two different types of slime. This program is recommended for children ages 5 to 11 and their caretaker.
Wedding Showcase
Saturday, January 17 • 10 AM-3PM
Free with reservation | Register
Saying “I do” soon? Plan the wedding of your dreams at Naper Settlement’s Wedding Showcase. Spread across the museum campus, couples will meet the best in the wedding business including photographers, florists, musicians, caterers, and more. Sample catering options, get exclusive discounts, and even take a limo ride around the museum! Skip the hectic convention centers and stop the endless scrolling with an intimate planning session with over 50 wedding vendors in every style and budget.
Cloverbuds Club
Tuesday, January 20 & February 17 • 6:30-7:30PM
$20/one-time fee (ages 5-7) | Register
Explore the world of nature and science as a part of the Cloverbuds Club at Naper Settlement! This program meets every third Tuesday of the month and participates in hands-on learning activities exploring topics in science, gardening, art, and more. This experience will include field trips for the Cloverbuds around DuPage County to explore the world of horticulture, agriculture, environmental science, and STEM, along with opportunities to make new friends, and follow emerging interests. Cloverbud members MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian at their first meeting. Parental/Guardian attendance is strongly encouraged at each meeting.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Historian: You Think You Know…The Declaration of Independence
Thursday, January 22 • 7-8PM
$10/person | Register
To commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary, Your Friendly Neighborhood Historian is exploring major events in American history with a focus on the misunderstood or overlooked aspects. Prepare to see the nation’s past in a new light with engaging, entertaining presentations that make you say, “I didn’t know that!” This program’s topic is about the Declaration of Independence.
Craft by Beer: Paint by Beer
Thursday, January 29 • 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. This program is for adults only – you must be at least 21 years of age to participate. A valid ID is required at event entry. Pre-registration is required.
Family STEM Night: Young Makers & 250 Years of Invention
Tuesday, February 5 or 19 • 6-7PM
$8/person | Register
Spark your child’s creativity and explore 250 years of American innovation together through hands-on activities that blend history and science! You’re invited to build, experiment, and invent through hands-on activities inspired by the thinkers and tinkerers who shaped our nation. Connect with your child through a unique night of fun that blends US history and science. This program is recommended for children ages 5 to 11 and their caretaker.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Historian: Connie Martin’s Pre-Civil War Quilts – Secret Codes to Freedom on the Underground Railroad
Wednesday, February 11 • 7-8PM
$10/person | Register
Join Connie Martin as she tells the stories passed down to her great-grandmother Lizzie of how her family survived the Antebellum period through trials and tribulations. Connie will share how they used quilts that contained hidden codes and secret messages to assist abolitionists; white and black, in guiding slaves to freedom through the Underground Railroad to Canada. During the presentation, Connie will reference 18 different quilt patterns using replica quilts and a book her mother, Dr. Clarice Boswell, wrote about their family called “Lizzie’s Story: A Slave Family’s Journey to Freedom.”
Your Friendly Neighborhood Historian: You Think You Know…The Founding Fathers & The Revolutionary War
Thursday, February 19 • 7-8PM
$10/person | Register
To commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary, Your Friendly Neighborhood Historian is exploring major events in American history with a focus on the misunderstood or overlooked aspects. Prepare to see the nation’s past in a new light with engaging, entertaining presentations that make you say, “I didn’t know that!” This program’s topic is about the founding fathers and The Revolutionary War.
Craft by Beer: Science Trivia and Test Tubes
Thursday, February 26 • 7-9PM
$20/adult (21+) | Register
Put your knowledge to the test with a night of science-themed trivia paired with interactive experiments! Enjoy your favorite adult beverages as you tackle challenging questions on topics like chemistry, physics, and biology. Between rounds, dive into science experiments that will bring trivia to life! This program is for adults only – 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.
