Visit

Photo of the Willard surrey with John the Temperance Horse
Front view of the Willard House, ca. 1890

Tours

Registration is now open for September and October tours, which will be held at 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm on the following dates:

Sundays, September 10 and 17
Thursdays, September 7, 14, 21, and 28

Sunday, October 22
Thursdays, October 19 and 26

Tours are available by reservation only. Masks are optional. Visitors should request a tour by emailing [email protected] or calling (847) 328-7500. Tour fees are $15 per person. Admission is free for students at all levels. Payment must be made online or over the phone once the tour day and time has been confirmed. We ask that reservations for Sunday tours be made by the preceding Friday at 5pm.

For information about research visits, please see Library and Archives.

Admission Fees

General Admission: $15.00
Admission is free for students at all levels.

Location

The Frances Willard House Museum and the Frances E. Willard Memorial Library and WCTU Archives is located at 1730 Chicago Avenue  in Evanston (between Clark Street and Church Street), 1/2 block north of the downtown area and 1/2 block south of Northwestern University (see map below).

Please note:  The Library and Archives is located in a 3-story red brick building directly behind Willard House.

Parking

Metered parking is available on the street. There is also a municipal parking lot immediately south of us (access via alleyway 1/2 block west of Chicago Avenue via Church Street or Clark Street) or  you may use the municipal parking garage across the street with entrances on Church and Clark.

We also have bicycle parking available behind the house museum.

Directions

By Car

From the north: Take Sheridan Road to where it intersects with Chicago Ave., by the Northwestern Arch.  Keep right to take Chicago Ave., and proceed 1.5 blocks.  The house will be on your right.

From the south: Take Sheridan Road (via Lake Shore Drive) to Clark St., just south of the Northwestern University Campus.  Turn onto Clark and proceed two blocks to Chicago Ave., then make a left.  The house will be on your right.

From the west: Take Dempster St. to Chicago Ave. Turn left and proceed on Chicago Ave. for five blocks.  The museum will be on your left.

By Public Transit

By Bus: Take the Evanston Bus 201 from the Davis Street CTA/Metra Station.

By Train: Take the CTA “L” Purple line or the Union Pacific North Line to the Davis Street Station and walk East to Chicago Avenue and turn North 1/2 block.

Accessibility

The Frances Willard House is not currently accessible to visitors who use wheelchairs. We will be happy to make information on the house available to those with difficulty gaining access. A Visual Guide to the house is available via email and for use on site. Contact [email protected] for more information.