About the Arlington Heights Historical Museum
Mission of the Arlington Heights Historical Museum
To serve the residents and visitors of Arlington heights by providing a vibrant, dynamic space for engaging with Arlington Heights history that inspires curiosity in and connection to our local and global community. As a tri-party organization of the Arlington Heights Historical Society, Village of Arlington Heights, and Arlington Heights Park District, we accomplish this through:
- Ethical and thoughtful collection and preservation of Arlington Heights history
- Interpretation and exhibition that enrich lives, foster curiosity, and inform the future
- Engaging and entertaining programs and events that fulfill and inspire
- Preservation and maintenance of the Müller and Banta Houses, Coach House, Soda Pop Factory, and grounds of the Museum campus
The Arlington Heights Historical Society is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and celebrating the historical heritage of Arlington Heights.
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The Collection
The collection of over 40,000 historic objects, documents, and photographs at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum is owned by the Arlington Heights Historical Society and includes objects and materials from the Village’s earliest history in the mid-1800s to the present day. Some areas of note in the collection include bottles and other objects from the F.W. Muller and Arlington Club soda business; objects related to William Dunton, the Village’s founder; and objects from Arlington High School.
Objects from the Museum’s collection are on display in the Muller House, Banta House, Coach House and in the permanent and temporary exhibits in the Museum Center.
The Museum welcomes donations of historic materials that fit with its Mission and collecting needs.
All potential donations are evaluated based on:
- Their fit with the Museum’s Mission
- The object’s ability to help the Museum tell the story of Arlington Heights
- The Museum’s ability to care for the object
- Whether or not the Museum’s collection already contains the same or a similar object
- The specific story associated with your specific object (who used it, where, when, why, where was it originally purchased, made, etc.)
If you believe you have an object, document, or photograph that would be appropriate for the Museum’s collection, please contact the Curator, Stephanie Lee at 847-255-1225 or email museumresearch@ahpd.org.
Our Sponsors and Supporters
A portion of the Museum’s archival and photograph collections are available for online viewing through Digital Past. These include early telephone directories, the Sigwalt Diaries, and other Arlington Heights related items. In partnership with the Arlington Heights Memorial Library.
Found a Historic Image in Our Collection That You Want to Use?
Photocopies, reprints, enlargements, and digital reproductions are permitted for research use only. Possession of an image from the Arlington Heights Historical Museum does not constitute permission to use it. An additional licensing fee will apply for all publication and commercial uses on top of the applicable reproduction fee.
All fees are collected by the Arlington Heights Historical Society, a not-for-profit organization.
Reproduction Fees
Reproduction fees are non-refundable and subject to change without notice. Please allow two weeks for your order to process. Prices do not include shipping.
- B&W Photocopy, 8.5×11 | $0.25
- B&W Photocopy, 8.5×14 | $0.50
- Print, 4×6 | $5.00
- Print, 5×7 | $10.00
- Print, 8×10 | $15.00
- Poster, 11×14 | $25.00
- Poster, 16×20 | $40.00
- Poster, 20×30 | $60.00
- Digital Scan, 300dpi | $5.00
- Digital Scan, 600dpi | $10.00
- Digital Scan, Custom Resolution | $20.00
Image Use Policy and Fees
COPYRIGHT | The Arlington Heights Historical Museum does not necessarily own the copyright to all of the images in its collection. The researcher assumes the responsibility of infringement of copyright. The researcher is also responsible for any third-party rights that may be a part of the image or work.
CREDIT LINE | All images used must contain the credit line Courtesy of the Arlington Heights Historical Museum.
CATEGORIES OF USE | The Museum reserves the right to charge additional special fees depending upon the requested usage. Eligibility for a particular category of use will be determined by the Curator based upon the information provided on the Image Request Form.
PERSONAL USE | Material used for reference or research purposes or display in a private home. Subject to reproduction fee; no additional usage fee. See “Reproduction Fees” above.
EDUCATIONAL USE | Material used by a teacher in a classroom and/or used by students in an educational project. Fees may be discounted or waived. Contact the Curator with a description of the usage.
PERSONAL PUBLICATION USE | Material used in family histories and other projects created by an individual for limited publication (25 or fewer copies), or for electronic display on a personal or family-related website. Contact the Curator to find out if your use qualifies for this category. Per-image use fee: $15.00
NON-PROFIT USE | Material used in publication, display, broadcast, or in any other way by a non-profit organization. Proof of non-profit status required. For use in the United States only. Additional fees will apply for world rights. Additional fees will apply for print runs greater than 5,000.
- Book or periodical illustration and other published works | $25.00 per use
- CDs, DVDs, websites, and any other digital projects: $25.00 per use
- Office display: $50.00 per use
- Book Covers, CD or DVD Covers, and any other packaging or wrapping: $75.00 per use
- Photographic prints or digitized images for advertising, marketing, or promotional purposes: $100.00 per use
- Video, film or television: $75.00 per use
COMMERCIAL/FOR-PROFIT USE | Material that will be published, displayed, broadcasted, or in any other way used in a commercial environment. Includes display in sales or reception areas or in any public areas of offices or businesses. For use in the United States only. Additional fees will apply for world rights. Additional fees will apply for print runs greater than 5,000.
- Book or periodical illustration and other published work: $50.00 per use
- CDs, DVDs, and any other digital projects: $50.00 per use
- Restaurant, commercial, or office display: $100.00 per use
- Book Covers, CD or DVD Covers, and any other packaging or wrapping: $150.00 per use
- Photographic prints or digitized images for advertising, marketing, or promotional purposes: $200.00 per use
- Video, film or television: $150.00 per use
*One copy of all materials created using content from the Arlington Heights Historical Museum must be donated to the Museum.
The Center for Suburban History Research Library
The Center for Suburban History houses historic photographs, newspaper clippings, maps, city directories, and other documents and resources relating both to Arlington Heights as well as the region at large. Materials from the Museum’s archival and three-dimensional object collection may also be available to researchers by special appointment. The Museum reserves the right to decline special requests if such is necessary to protect the safety and preservation of delicate historic materials.
Please note: The Center for Suburban History is on the second floor of the Museum Center and is only accessible by stairs. If you are unable to climb the stairs, please contact the Curator ahead of your visit so that accommodations can be made to bring materials to you on the ground floor.
Researchers should contact the Museum at 847.255.1225 or call the Curator with your inquiry first and then we can set up an appointment for you.
Access to the Local History Library is free. However, if you require Museum staff and/or volunteers to conduct research for you, the fee schedule below will apply.
We recommend that you bring a pencil and notepad, computer, and/or digital camera. The flash on the camera must be turned off when photographing historic items.
All fees are collected by the Arlington Heights Historical Society, a not-for-profit organization.
Research Fees
Research Requests
- First 30 Minutes | FREE
- Additional Time | $15/hour
Photocopies of Collection Material:
- Black and White Photocopies, 8.5×11 | $0.25
- Black and White Photocopies, 8.5×14 | $0.50
For information about purchasing photograph copies, enlargements, or scans, please see the the Photos page.
All Research is Scheduled by Appointment Only
Please contact the Museum to schedule your appointment at 847.255.1225.
Museum Buildings
The Banta House was the home of Minnie Müller Banta and her husband Nathaniel Moore Banta. This Arts and Crafts home was the first architect-designed house in Arlington Heights. The Banta House is also used for display and storage of the Martha Mills doll collection containing more than 1000 dolls and the Lorraine Korenthal Dollhouse Collection. The house was place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.
The 1880’s coach house was the stable for the horses and wagons that were used to deliver the soda pop. Now, it contains dioramas and exhibits and the history of Arlington Heights.
The replica log cabin represents the homes of early settlers in the groves of Northeastern Illinois. It is made of hand-hewn logs and has a shake shingle roof.
The Müller House represents the life of an upper middle class family during the 1880-1900 period. F.W. Müller, his wife Lizzie and five children lived in this home, and soda pop was made in the basement. The house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
The Old Soda Pop Factory housed the bottling machinery, garage, and two apartments for F.W. Müller’s sons and their families. Today, the Factory serves as the Museum Welcome Center. It houses offices, meeting rooms, the Historical Society Library and the Heritage Gallery and Shop. The meeting rooms are available for rental. Contact the museum office for details at 847-255-1225.
Museum Exhibits
Permanent Exhibits within the Museum Campus are available to view on Saturdays at 10:30AM for the weekly tour. Tours are $5 per adult & $3 per child. Society members are free.
Temporary Exhibit(s) housed within the Soda Pop Factory building is available for viewing: Wednesday 1-4PM, Thursday & Friday 10AM-4PM, Saturday 10AM-4PM (8AM during Farmers Market season) and Sunday 1-4PM. For more information, call the museum at 847.255.1225.
Arlington Heights Historical Museum exhibits are within the:
COACH HOUSE:
- BOEGER CARPENTRY SHOP – a recreated circa 1874 carpentry shop with authentic woodworking machinery.
- BLACKSMITH SHOP – a recreated setting of the town smithy, one of the most important businesses to the early growth of the village of Arlington Heights.
- ARLINGTON HEIGHTS DIORAMAS – dioramas of the local area before European settlement, the first school, the train coming to town, the growth of the village, ice harvesting, and the first library.
LOG CABIN:
- A replica 1830s log cabin representing the homes of early settlers in the groves of Northeastern Illinois. Family activity centered around the hearth in this one room home.
MÜLLER HOUSE:
- A Victorian period house circa 1890s. The home features a restored parlor, office, kitchen, dining room, and bedrooms. Was the home of F.W. Müller and his family. Müller was a German immigrant and operated a soda pop factory in Arlington Heights.
BANTA HOUSE:
- An Arts and Crafts house designed by Elgin architect Ralph Elliot Abell and built in 1908. Home of Wilhelmina Müller Banta and Nathaniel Moore Banta. Home has a restored living and dining room and is furnished with arts and crafts style furniture.
- MARTHA MILLS DOLL COLLECTION – Collection of over 1000 dolls ranging from modern to antique, cloth to porcelain, miniature to 36″. Dolls were made and collected by Martha Mills, a resident of Arlington Heights. This exhibit changes twice a year.
- LORRAINE KORENTHAL DOLLHOUSE COLLECTION – Collection of three dollhouses and miniatures. Dollhouses and miniatures were collected by Jack and Lorraine Korenthal of Arlington Heights.
SODA POP FACTORY:
- The Old Soda Pop Factory housed the bottling machinery, garage, and two apartments for F.W. Müller’s sons and their families. Today, the Factory serves as the Museum Welcome Center, the research center, the Heritage Gallery and Gift Shop, and the Temporary Exhibit.
Arlington Heights through the Alphabet
Taking inspiration from the “Alphabet of Community Progress” published in the 1930 Business Men’s Director of Arlington Heights, produced by the forerunner of the Chamber of Commerce, this exhibit tells the story of Arlington Heights through 26 vignettes. In no particular order of importance, each example showcases what makes Arlington Heights important to the people who have called it home. Here you will learn the stories of people whose hard work, ingenuity, and resilience contributed to marking Arlington Heights the community it is today.
Lights, Pipes, and a Coffee Pot: A History of Village Services
Arlington Heights has long been known to be a great place to live and work. The “City of Good Neighbors” provides a strong community for families and individuals alike. To make a village work, it takes a large effort from dedicated workers, across a wide spectrum of departments. The Fire Department, the Police Department, Public Works, Village Hall and across a wide range of offices all work to keep the Village safe, clean, and welcoming. Come learn the origins of Arlington Heights services, and how they developed over time, as the town grew from a few thousand residents, to a Village of over 77,000!
Classes & Programs
The museum sponsors a variety of craft and educational classes including historical based programs and special events. For more information on these offerings, view the Arlington Heights Park District’s registration site.
Scout Programs
While there are many ways to accomplish a Scouting badge, the Museum offers a selection of programs for Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops that that cover all or most of the requirements to allow troops to leave the program with a completed badge. Please click on the rank level to see a full description of programs offered. Programs can be run after school, at night or on limited weekends. To check dates and to book a Scout program, contact the Museum at 847-255-1225.
Special Events
The Arlington Heights Historical Museum hosts a variety of events throughout the year including the Community Egg Hunt, Irish Fest, Heritage Fest and All Hallows Eve. More events at the Historical Museum can be found on the Arlington Heights Park District’s calendar.
Youth, Adult & Family Programs
The Museum offers a variety of engaging and educational programs for all ages looking to start or continue their historical education. View the seasonal program guide for current sessions.
Room Rental
Arlington Room Rental Rates
Rates listed per hour
| Arlington Room | Monday-Thursday | Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays |
| Resident | $55.00 | $65.00 |
| Non-Resident | $70.00 | $80.00 |
| Commercial | $95.00 | $105.00 |
| Non-profit | $50.00 | $60.00 |
* Historical Society Members in Good Standing will receive a discount off of the total Room Rental Fee. Rentals are allowed between 9am-9pm. The Museum reserves the right to change these guidelines without notice.
Available Equipment
| Dry Erase Board | Refrigerator (Kitchen) |
| Coffee Urn 30 or 55 cup | Smartboard/Projector ($25 additional fee) |
| Podium | Coat Rack |
| Extension Cord |
