Girls Scouts May Day Daisies, Brownies and Juniors are invited to visit Naper Settlement for this badge-earning bonanza from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 1. Pick up your badge-in-a-bag at check in, visit the stations, tour the buildings, play games and earn your Petal or Badge. Fee is $13 per Scout, $10 for adults; registration is required. Register for this program through the Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana Council website http://gcnwiprograms.org/program/2188 or contact the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois Registrar through https://gsusa.ebiz.uapps.net/VP/NoPortal.html.
Meet This Old House: Martin Mitchell Mansion
Journey beyond the velvet ropes to enjoy guided, privileged access to areas not open to the general public from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday May 1. Tour each level of the 12-room Martin Mitchell Mansion, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, at Naper Settlement. Learn first-hand about the building’s history and its importance to the community from museum staff and Chicago preservationist and paint analysis expert Robert A. Furhoff. Ages 13+ only. Includes stair climbing. Tickets are $15 per person, $12 for Settlement-6 members and above. A special series discount of $40 per person and $30 for Settlement-6 members and above for the May 1, July 24 (Murray Building) and Sept. 17 (Paw Paw Post Office) tours.
Streaming History Walking Tour
This guided stroll of Naperville’s Riverwalk will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 7, starting at the Naper Settlement parking lot on the corner of Webster Street and Porter Avenue.
The tour begins at the site of John Naper’s estate, Naperville’s co-founder. Other points of interest include the site of the Naperville Ice Cream Factory, the site of Joseph Naper’s mill and former quarry workers’ homes. The tour ends at the Naperville Fire Department Memorial on Jefferson Avenue. All ages welcome. Tickets are $15 per person, $13 for Settlement-6 members and above; registration is required. Call (630) 420-6010.
Blacksmithing 101 Learn the art of blacksmithing with an introduction to safety, tools and the forge in this two-session class. Participants will learn hammer techniques while making an item to take home. The two-session class will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7 and 14. For ages 18 to adults, all materials are provided. The fee is $150 and registration is required, call (630) 420-6010.
Artifacts Uncovered
Go behind the scenes for a glimpse of the storage areas where our curators, staff and volunteers will show you highlights of our permanent Museum Collection from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 14 at the Collections Care and Storage Facility in the City of Naperville’s Public Works Building, 180 Fort Hill Drive, Door F. The climate-controlled space is filled with materials that document the rich history of Naperville from its settlement up until present day. No food, beverages, bags or photography allowed. Registration is limited to 30 persons. Ages 13+ only. Admission is $12 per person; $10 for Settlement-6 members and above. Call (630) 420-6010.
History Speaks Lecture Series: Hops and History
Come enjoy some hops and history with “Chicago by the Pint” author Denese Neu during this special presentation from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 15 at Naper Settlement’s Century Memorial Chapel and Pre-Emption House Tavern, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. The author will present an entertaining program that weaves a story of Chicagoland as it intersects with beer. After the lecture, Two Brothers Brewing Co. will provide four beer samplings paired with appetizers in the Tavern. Tickets for the lecture and beer tasting/food pairings are $25 per person, must be 21 years old to participate. Call (630) 420-6010 for reservations.
Civil War Days Naper Settlement becomes a Civil War encampment with more than 300 reenactors during Civil War Days from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22. Visitors can meet famous characters of the past and become immersed in history. A battle is held each day at 2:30 p.m. Day-of-event admission is $15 adults and $10 youth (ages 4–12). Advanced tickets are $12 adults; $8 youth (4-12) and are available online or at the Pre-Emption House Visitor Center. Free admission for members and children under 4. Visit www.napersettlement.org or call (630) 420-6010.
About Naper Settlement
Naper Settlement is a nationally accredited, award-winning outdoor museum set on 12 magnificent acres in the heart of Naperville, where history comes to play and community comes to connect. For more information, visit www.napersettlement.org or call (630) 420-6010.
