History

Collection Database

The artifacts featured here are from the museum collection and archives at Naper Settlement.
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The Dolls of Matie Egermann - Mary Barbara (Matie) Egermann became the librarian of Naperville's Nichols Library in 1909, a job which she held for 41 years. Over the years she amassed an enormous collection of more than 500 dolls and displayed them at the library. They were given to Matie by relatives and friends, who would bring her dolls from all over the world.

Valentine's Day Cards - Sending a token of love or friendship for Valentine's Day has been a popular custom for many years. These Valentine's Day greeting cards and postcards are from the early 20th century.

Businesses of a Bygone Era - Many businesses have called Naperville home over the years. Here are some items from businesses that are no longer around today.

Naperville Celebrates - Naperville celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2006. The items featured are from Naperville's 100th anniversary celebration in 1931 and 150th anniversary celebration in 1981.

Holiday Cards - Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years greeting cards and postcards ranging in date from the late 19th century to the early 20th century.

School Days - Summer is over and it is time to head back to school. View photographs, postcards, report cards, schoolbooks and other school-related items.

Postcard Images of Naperville - Postcards have been a popular way to send a greeting to friends and loved ones since the late 19th century. The postcards featured are all from Naperville and contain images of Naperville people and places. They range in date from the late 19th century to the late 20th century.

Naperville Business Giveaways - Items from Naperville businesses that were giveaways to customers and also served as advertisements for the businesses. They range in date from the late 19th century to the late 20th century.

Centennial Beach - Centennial Beach was built and opened in 1932. It was built as a permanent memorial to commemorate Naperville's 100th birthday, or centennial, in 1931, and is still open today.

Cabinet Photographs - Cabinet photographs, also known as cabinet cards, were introduced in the late 1860s and were most popular from the 1870s to the 1890s. These cabinet photographs were taken by Naperville photography studios in the late 19th century.

19th Century Fishing - Fishing items from the 19th century. Also featured are some photographs of fishing on the DuPage River, the river itself and a cabinet photograph of three men with their fishing gear.

Martin Mitchell Mansion Furnishings - View some of the artifacts that were acquired for the Martin Mitchell Mansion, which underwent a three-year major restoration and reopened to the public in December 2003.

Millennium/Celebration 2000 - Naperville, along with the rest of the world, celebrated the millennium in 1999-2000. These artifacts were collected during "Celebration 2000," Naperville's celebration.

1840s Furnishings - Home furnishings dating from the 1840s. Naper Settlement acquired them for the Paw Paw Post Office, which was restored in 2000.

Stereographs - These stereographs, which date from the late 19th century and early 20th century, were published by the Universal Photo Art Co., who had an office in Naperville, as well as other offices in the United States and in Europe.

Wedding Items - Wedding items, such as clothing, wedding invitations and announcements, photographs, and items given as wedding gifts.