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A Well-Lived Home: Exploring Kenilworth’s Lost and Preserved Architecture

310 Warwick Road
310 Warwick Road, built 1903, demolished 1938.

Opens: Sunday, May 4 

Since its founding by Joseph Sears in 1889, Kenilworth has upheld a tradition of high-quality home construction, with many residences designed by renowned architects. Beyond its distinguished homes, the village showcases a variety of architectural styles, making it unique among similarly sized suburbs.
 
A Well-Lived Home explores Kenilworth’s architectural evolution from the 1880s to the 1960s, illustrating how shifting architectural trends shaped the village’s transformation from farmland to a carefully planned suburban community. By examining both preserved and lost structures, this exhibit highlights Kenilworth’s rich architectural heritage and the importance of its preservation.
 

The exhibit will be on display through March 2026. 

FAQ

Stuart Memorial Building, c. 1974, KHS

Answers to popular questions about the Kenilworth Historical Society

Have a new question?  Email us or stop by.

 

What are your hours?

  • We are open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9AM – 5PM

What is the cost of admission?

Where can I park?

  • There is temporary parking near the us on the street and by the train station. See map.

Where is the bathroom?

  • We have bathrooms located on the west side of the building next to the Village offices.

Is the museum accessible to guests with disabilities?

  • There is a ramp on the Village east entrance at 419 Richmond Rd.

Who is Joseph Sears?

  • Joseph Sears was the founder of Kenilworth. He purchased 223.6 acres of land in 1889 that was to become Kenilworth. Sears and several of his associates formed The Kenilworth Company to execute his suburban dream. Joseph Sears possessed definite ideas about how a village should be planned. Streets were plated to maximize the availability of sunlight in each home, utilities were placed underground, no alleys or fences were permitted, construction standards were high, and there were large lots and paved streets. To maintain the country atmosphere, the plan required large lots and setbacks, tree plantings along roadways, and generous park lands. Mr. Sears donated much of his own property to achieve this goal.

When was Kenilworth founded?

  • Kenilworth was founded in 1889 when Joseph Sears purchased 223.6 acres of land consisting of several farms between the Chicago and North Western Railroad and Lake Michigan for $150,300. However, Kenilworth wasn’t incorporated as a village until 1896 when the population reached 300.

When was Joseph Sears School founded?

  • In 1904 Joseph Sears, the founder of Kenilworth, donated the land on which a three-room white frame school was to be erected. The school was later named after Joseph Sears in 1912 after his death.

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Awards

We are thankful and proud of the recognition these projects received from the Illinois State Historical Society and Illinois Association of Museums.

Our mission at the Kenilworth Historical Society is to preserve, interpret and celebrate the unique history, architecture and traditions of the village and foster an appreciation of Kenilworth’s heritage through museum exhibits, curatorial work, social gatherings, educational programs and the coordination of architectural tours.  

ISHS award for Focus on Violet Wyld 2017

ISHS – Focus on Violet Wyld

Awarded by the Illinois State Historical Society for our exhibit focusing on key resident and niece of George Maher, Violet Wyld.

IAM award for Focus on Violet Wyld 2016

IAM – Focus on Violet Wyld

Awarded by the Illinois Association of Museums for our exhibit focusing on key resident and niece of George Maher, Violet Wyld.

Board and Staff

Board of Directors

Ann Suker Potter (President)
Andrea Cale (Vice President)
Ian Fisher (Treasurer)
Betty Fisher Wiggins (Secretary)
Laurel Flentye*
Mary Grant
Katalina Groh
John Hart
Anjali Kase
Jim Lawson
Laura Lien
Anthony Mehrabian
Mary Mehrabian
Tim Miller*                          
JoAnne Rankin
Carol Schulz*
Peter Tyor
Anita Worthington

 

*Past Presidents

 

Staff

Will Taylor

Director and Curator

info@yourplanbproductions.com

 

Visit the Museum

Kenilworth Fountain, c. 1910, KHS

The Kenilworth Historical Society is located directly east of the train station and across from the Kenilworth Assembly Hall. Kenilworth Avenue is accessible from Sheridan Road on the east and Green Bay Road on the west.

Our main entrance is along Kenilworth Avenue, but handicap accessibility is available via the Village of Kenilworth entrance on Richmond Road. You can visit us from 9:00-5:00PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Explore our online News and Exhibits & Collections.

Our archives and exhibit space is located in the Stuart Memorial Building, designed by architect Philip Maher and completed on March 23, 1972. If KHS could build a permanent residence the were promised to receive a large donation from the estate of Harold Leonard Stuart . President at the time Dr. Schildberg rushed to accumulate funds and plans for the new building. With the help from the Village offices and Park District, the Historical Society acquired the whole block from Cumnor, Kenilworth, and Richmond and soon after a grant from the bank for $550,000 to begin construction.

Metra logo

The Kenilworth Historical Society is across the street from the Kenilworth Metra station on the Union Pacific North (UP-N) to Kenosha line.

The station was designed by architect Franklin Burnham in 1891.

Accessibility

Visiting the Museum
Accessible parking is available adjacent to our main entrance along 419 Richmond Road with access to a ramp and button operated doors. For further assistance with navigating the building give us a call ahead of time.

Restrooms
Restrooms are available on the west side of the building complete with wide stalls and grab bars.

Service Animals
Service Animals are welcome to the museum in accordance to the ADA guidelines, unless otherwise permitted. 

First Aid
We have first aid kits available on site if needed. We share the building with the Police Department who are all CPR certified.

Exhibit
All of our exhibits are labeled with larger font sizes and ADA compliant.

History of Kenilworth

Joseph Sears, c. 1911, KHS
Joseph Sears, c. 1911, KHS

Kenilworth was founded in 1889 when Joseph Sears purchased 223.6 acres of land consisting of several farms between the Chicago and North Western Railroad and Lake Michigan for $150,300. Sears and several of his associates formed The Kenilworth Company to execute his suburban dream.

The company undertook all marketing activities, publicizing the community’s many attractive features through brochures, maps, and newspaper ads, as well as direct personal sales. Prospects were provided transportation from the city and greeted with a reception. Visitors were also offered overnight accommodations. In 1891, Sears invited about 20 of his personal friends, prominent bankers and Chicago businessmen to a picnic luncheon on Kenilworth’s lake shore. Lots were offered at $60 a foot; significantly above the $15 a foot for similarly located property nearby. Some laughed, but the property did sell within 12 months.

Joseph Sears possessed definite ideas about how a village should be planned. Streets were designed to maximize the availability of sunlight in each home, utilities were placed underground, no alleys or fences were permitted, construction standards were high, and there were large lots and paved streets. To maintain the country atmosphere, the plan required large lots and setbacks, tree plantings along roadways, and generous park lands. Mr. Sears donated much of his own property to achieve this goal. This planned community attracted widespread attention and was visited by many noted architects attending the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Noted architect Franklin Burnham joined The Kenilworth Company and designed Kenilworth Station and Kenilworth Union Church. Burnham also designed several homes for company members to display for potential residents.

By February 4, 1896, the village reached the required 300 residents and was incorporated, with an elected board assuming municipal functions from Joseph Sears. The Kenilworth Company continued their sales activities until 1904, at which time Sears acquired the existing stock and became the sole owner of the remaining property. From the original purchase developed by Joseph Sears, Kenilworth expanded to its current size of 0.6 of a square mile through a series of annexations. As of the 2010 census, Kenilworth had a population of 2,513.

Kenilworth Fountain, c. 1910, KHS
Kenilworth Fountain, c. 1910, KHS