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1. What changes are being made to All Hallows Eve and why?

We have reimagined the All Hallows Eve experience and transitioned many of the event’s activities outdoors to help preserve and protect our historic buildings and artifacts. Stops inside our smaller capacity buildings will no longer be available including the Martin Mitchell Mansion. The event will continue to provide indoor performances in our historic buildings that have larger capacities including Century Memorial Chapel, the Carriage House, and the Meeting House. All Hallows Eve was originally conceptualized and created in 2004, and in its first year, the event welcomed 2,000 visitors. Since that time, All Hallows Eve has seen significant growth and has become a Halloween tradition for many local families. In 2022, the event welcomed over 5,500 visitors and over 125 volunteers. We thank the community for their support and are excited to share the new immersive outdoor experience with you. For a full list of activities, please visit NaperSettlement.org/AllHallowsEve. 

2. What is the recommended age for visitors to All Hallows Eve?

All Hallows Eve is recommended for families with children 16 and under. Each experience has a “scare factor” recommendation that can be viewed near the activity’s entrance and inside the All Hallows Eve event guide available at the event’s entrance. 

For adults 21+, please visit us the following weekend, October 21-22 for Howlin’ at the Moon. 

3. Can I wear my Halloween costume or mask to All Hallows Eve?

No Halloween costumes or masks are permitted at All Hallows Eve for the safety of our visitors and staff. 

4. How do I become a volunteer?

Our volunteers are a crucial part of bringing this one-of-a-kind event to the community! To learn more about volunteer opportunities in both performer and non-performer roles, please click here. 

5. What happens if it rains?

All Naperville Heritage Society events take place rain or shine. However, in the case of unsafe weather - lightning, tornado, etc., Naper Settlement will close the grounds and cancel the event for the safety of its visitors. All ticket sales are final. No refunds, exchanges, or rain checks will be given in the event of inclement weather. Dated tickets may not be exchanged.  All events and prices are subject to change without notice. Special event rates may vary.  

6. Where should I park?

Free parking is available in the Municipal Parking Garage on the corner of Eagle and Aurora and in the Naper Settlement visitor's lot on Porter Avenue and Webster Street.

7. Do you have hotel accommodations for visitors?

Hotel Accommodations

For hotel accommodations, please book with our sponsor, Fairfield Inn & Suites Chicago Naperville, by clicking here.

8. Please read our Event Policies

Event Policies

Naperville Heritage Society Special Events have additional policies to the Naper Settlement's museum policy.

• All patrons must prepare and complete a bag check.  Patrons who choose not to subject their personal items to a security search will not be permitted to enter the park.  Tickets will not be refunded.
  
• Photographs may be taken and used in promotional materials. Professional photo/video/audio equipment will not be permitted unless approved by Naper Settlement.
• No outside food or drinks. One factory-sealed bottle of unflavored water or one empty beverage container (no glass) per person is permitted.
• No pets are allowed. Service Animals are permitted.
• Smoking and vaping are permitted in designated areas only.
• Weapons of any kind, including toy weapons are NOT permitted. Conceal and carry is not permitted, including concealed licensed or off-duty officers.
• Additional prohibited items include: Explosives; tents, canopies, and umbrellas larger than 6’ diameter; grills, open flames or firepits; drones; sporting equipment including balls or discs; and bicycles, scooters or skates.
• No costumes are allowed.

Inclement Weather

All Naperville Heritage Society events take place rain or shine. However, in the case of unsafe weather - lightning, tornado, etc. - Naper Settlement will close the grounds and cancel the event for the safety of its patrons.

Refund Policy

All events and prices are subject to change without notice. Special event rates may vary. All ticket sales are final. No refunds, exchanges, or rain checks will be given in the event of inclement weather. Dated tickets may not be exchanged.

Questions?

Email or call 630.420.6010 weekdays between 8:30 AM and 4 PM.

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1. What will the Birck Family Innovation Gateway add to the community and downtown area?

The Birck Family Innovation Gateway will be a warm, energetic, and inviting entrance to the museum. Currently, visitors enter through a building that is non-ADA compliant nor stroller friendly. This new space will offer clear wayfinding for all visitors. 

The Birck Family Innovation Gateway's centerpiece is an interactive digital exhibit filled with images and stories that can be explored by person, theme, timeline, or artifact. The digital exhibit experience will share a whole and inclusive history narrative where people will be able to upload approved documents, photographs and stories in a WIKI format inviting multiple perspectives and widening the narrative. This forward-thinking project will create a living legacy to inspire current and future generations and steer a path to a better tomorrow by showcasing our history, diversity, community leaders, and growth.

2. When will the Birck Family Innovation Gateway be completed?

The Birck Family Innovation Gateway's construction is funding dependent, and we plan to break ground in 2022.

3. What can I do to help this project?

You can help in a variety of ways! We are looking for donations of all kinds, including financial support, oral histories, and artifacts. We are incredibly excited to get this project off the ground and with your help, we can make this happen. Donate online today or email us to learn more

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1. How many people will the chapel seat?

The chapel will comfortably seat 175 people.

2. What is length of the aisle in the Chapel?

The aisle is 50 feet long from the stair to the archway.

3. Is the chapel air-conditioned?

Yes, the chapel is air-conditioned.

4. Are candles permitted in the chapel?

Candles are not permitted in the chapel, with the exception of memorial candles or a unity candle and two tapers that light it.

5. What is the address of the chapel?

The suggested address for wedding invitations is 523 S. Webster Street, Naperville, IL 60540. This is the address for Naper Settlement's main office, which is also the closest physical address to the chapel. To add clarity for your guests, it is recommended you include "On the Grounds of Naper Settlement."

Unless otherwise noted, the entrance for Chapel wedding guests will be through the parking lot gate along Aurora Avenue.

6. Where can guests park for my ceremony?

Guests are welcome to park in our Chapel lot on Aurora Avenue, which has parking for 22 guests, including two handicap parking spots. Your guests may also park in the Naper Settlement Visitor Parking Lot, located on the corner of Webster Street and Porter Avenue one block south of Aurora Avenue There is also additional parking at the Municipal Center, located directly across the street from the Chapel parking lot. Parking at the Municipal Center is permitted after 5:00 PM on weekdays and anytime on the weekends. The Naper Settlement Visitor Parking Lot and the Municipal Center parking lots are public parking areas. Unfortunately we are unable to reserve these areas specifically for your guests.

7. Are decorations allowed?

Decorations are allowed, provided that bows are attached with something that doesn't scratch or stick to the pews. A rubber band or ribbon works best and is preferred. Floral arrangements are permitted. Every bride has a certain vision for their special day and we are open to any ideas you may have. Please call a member of our Guest Services Team at 630.420.6010 with your ideas, and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

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1. How do I donate an artifact?

If you are interested in making an artifact donation, please contact the Registrar at 630.548.1115 to discuss your potential donation and/or to set up an appointment for item review.

2. What does the Naperville Heritage Society collect?

The Naperville Heritage Society collects both two- and three-dimensional materials depicting Naperville’s history from its founding in 1831 to the present day, including materials related to Naperville businesses, schools, families, etc. To date there are nearly 75,000 items in the Museum Collection, including more than 14,000 photographic images. The materials accepted into the museum's permanent collection are held in public trust and are preserved in perpetuity according to prevailing museum standards.

3. What happens after I contact the Registrar?

Once you have made an appointment with the Registrar to meet either at your home or at Naper Settlement and your materials are taken for consideration, a temporary custody receipt is completed for every potential donation. On this form are spaces to note donor name and contact information, object name and description, any known history of an item, a space to check whether or not you want your item back if it is declined and a space to sign and date the receipt form by both the donor and the Registrar. A completed copy of this form is given to potential donors at the time items are dropped off or picked up.

If you do not live in the Naperville area, it is recommended that you mail or email images of the material to the Registrar. Once an item is offered for potential acquisition, it is added to a list of items to be discussed at an Acquisition Committee meeting. If an item does not fall within scope for the museum collection, it potentially could be added to the reference or education collections.

4. How are proffered materials reviewed by the museum?

Proffered donations are reviewed by the museum's Acquisition Committee, which consists of staff members from the museum's Museum Services division, as well as a Naperville Heritage Society Board appointed member, and the President & CEO and Chairman of the Board, all of whom are knowledgeable about the museum's collection holdings. The Committee's decision is guided by the criteria specified in the collecting scope, but also considers proffered materials with respect to condition, duplication to current holdings, as well as the required resources to properly store and care for the object in perpetuity. The sensitive nature of certain materials and objects or ownership and copyright issues may also determine the ability to collect them. Each item is decided upon by majority vote.

5. How long will it take for the museum to review my donation?

On average, the Acquisition Committee meets every six weeks. After the meeting, you will be notified by the Registrar of the decision about your proffered donation. It should be noted that certain proffered donations require some research prior to Acquisition Committee review, which will delay the decision regarding the acquisition.

6. Will the Naperville Heritage Society provide an appraisal for my donation?

The Naperville Heritage Society cannot provide appraisals for donated materials due to a potential conflict of interest. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) views museums as interested parties, and any monetary appraisal prepared for donors by the museum are subject to question or disqualification. You can find a qualified appraiser by contacting the following organization. American Society of Appraisers

7. Can I take a tax deduction for my donation?

The Naperville Heritage Society is recognized as a qualified charitable organization, and donations may be considered for tax deduction under the society's 501(c)3 tax-exempt status. Typically, the fair market value of donated materials is generally tax deductible. To be eligible for the tax deduction for your donation, you must file tax form 1040. For donors wishing to take a tax deduction on donated materials valued over $500 within the year the deduction is taken, the society will complete IRS Form 8283 (Non-cash Charitable Contributions), Part IV, Donee Acknowledgment. It is also recommended that donors consult with their own accountant, attorney and the IRS to ensure the maximum benefit of the tax deduction is realized for donated materials.

8. Will the Naperville Heritage Society exhibit my donated items?

NHS cannot guarantee that any donated materials will be exhibited, unless collected and accepted explicitly for that purpose. The museum is committed to ensuring the long-term preservation of donated materials, displayed or preserved in storage. Based on various factors and criteria such as condition and display needs for the museum, many donated materials are available for scholarly research and, on occasion, loaned to other museums and cultural centers for special displays and exhibitions.

9. If I donate materials to the Naperville Heritage Society (NHS), will they be returned upon my request?

NHS cannot return accessioned items to donors. Once the Acquisition Committee approves the acceptance of your proffered donation into the museum's permanent collection, a Deed of Gift is issued by the registrar and signed by the donor. This document provides transfer of legal ownership of the item to the Naperville Heritage Society.

10. If the museum will not accept my item as a donation, will they accept it as a long-term loan?

The Naperville Heritage Society does not generally accept long-term or permanent loans. While various materials are accepted on a short-term basis related to special exhibitions, programs or events, the institution chooses to commit its resources to the storage and preservation of objects within its own permanent collection holdings.

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1. What is a Naperville Heritage Society Historic Structures plaque?

The Naperville Heritage Society Plaque Program was started in 1970 to encourage Naperville property owners to recognize their properties that are: historically significant, architecturally significant, tell a story about Naperville, or tell a story about the people who lived/worked there. To date, nearly 150 homes, structures, and sites have been plaqued.

Historic Structures Plaque Program

2. Does my home or business qualify?

Please contact the Development Associate at 630.305.3535 or grazulisk@naperville.il.us for more information on the Plaque Program.  The Plaque Program Resources guide also offers information to help you get started.

3. Will the plaque restrict remodeling or renovations I plan to do?

The plaque will not interfere with an owner's rights in making changes or improvements to their property. The issuance of a plaque does not reflect or offer tax credits or abatements for rehabilitation projects or properties.

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1. How can I redeem my member tickets?

To secure your member tickets,  please login to your online member account by choosing SIGN IN in the upper right of the page. Please secure your member tickets ahead of time. If a special event sells out, you will not be able to claim your member tickets.  If you do not have a member account set up or have questions, please reach out to us at 630.420.6010. To learn more about Naper Settlement membership, please click here.

2. Where should I park?

Free parking is available in the Municipal Parking Garage on the corner of Eagle and Aurora and in the Naper Settlement visitor's lot on Porter Avenue and Webster Street. Additional covered parking can be found in the Water Street Parking Garage at 130 Water Street ( view the City of Naperville's Parking Viewer for this garage). 

Naper Settlement's Visitor Lot 

Municipal Parking Garage

Water Street Parking Garage

3. Are food and beverages cash only?

All beverage tickets are cash only. All beer and wine purchases require a beverage ticket. Beverage tickets are $7 each. An ATM is available near the Naper Settlement bandstand. Many food vendors will have credit card options.

4. Can I wear my Halloween costume?

Yes, we encourage you to dress in costume and participate in our Halloween Costume Contest! To enter, please visit our photo booth located in the Blacksmith Shop.

5. What can I bring into the event? Should I bring my own chair?

Please bring your printed tickets. Blankets and/or lawn chairs are highly recommended. No seating is provided on the lawn. The following items are prohibited:

• No outside food or drinks. One factory-sealed bottle of unflavored water or one empty beverage container (no glass) per person is permitted.
• No pets are allowed. Service Animals are permitted.
• Smoking and vaping are permitted in designated areas only.
• Weapons of any kind, including toy weapons are NOT permitted. Conceal and carry is not permitted, including concealed licensed or off-duty officers.
• Additional prohibited items include: Explosives; tents, canopies, and umbrellas larger than 6’ diameter; grills, open flames or firepits; drones; sporting equipment including balls or discs; and bicycles, scooters or skates.

6. Do you have hotel accommodations for visitors?

For hotel accommodations, please book with our sponsor, Fairfield Inn & Suites Chicago Naperville, by clicking here.

7. Please read our Event Policies

Naperville Heritage Society Special Events have additional policies to the Naper Settlement's museum policy.

• Howlin' at the Moon is for adults twenty-one years of age and older only. No one under the age of twenty-one is permitted. IDs will be checked at the entrance.  
• All patrons must prepare and complete a bag check.  Patrons who choose not to subject their personal items to a security search will not be permitted to enter the park.  Tickets will not be refunded.
  
• Photographs may be taken and used in promotional materials. Professional photo/video/audio equipment will not be permitted unless approved by Naper Settlement.
• No outside food or drinks. One factory-sealed bottle of unflavored water or one empty beverage container (no glass) per person is permitted.
• No pets are allowed. Service Animals are permitted.
• Smoking and vaping are permitted in designated areas only.
• Weapons of any kind, including toy weapons are NOT permitted. Conceal and carry is not permitted, including concealed licensed or off-duty officers.
• Additional prohibited items include: Explosives; tents, canopies, and umbrellas larger than 6’ diameter; grills, open flames or firepits; drones; sporting equipment including balls or discs; and bicycles, scooters or skates.

Inclement Weather

All Naperville Heritage Society events take place rain or shine. However, in the case of unsafe weather - lightning, tornado, etc. - Naper Settlement will close the grounds and cancel the event for the safety of its patrons.

Refund Policy

All events and prices are subject to change without notice. Special event rates may vary. All ticket sales are final. No refunds, exchanges, or rain checks will be given in the event of inclement weather. Dated tickets may not be exchanged.

Questions?

Email or call 630.420.6010 weekdays between 8:30 AM and 4 PM.

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1. Why is the Mary and Richard Benck Family Agriculture Center being built in Naperville at Naper Settlement?

Naper Settlement brings together historically important buildings and their stories, connecting visitors to Naperville’s heritage and beyond. The Mary and Richard Benck Family Agriculture Center will build on that foundation, providing an immersive opportunity to learn about Naperville’s storied agricultural history and how it connects to the farming story of the region and nation today.

2. What will the exhibits look like?

The exhibits will feature STEM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) learning opportunities that will highlight such themes as food production, planting and harvesting of crops, mechanics of simple machines, climate, weather, natural resources, and the economic value of agriculture to communities. 

3. How much will the project cost, and where will the funds to build it come from?

Projected costs for the building are $ 3.66 million.  Funding sources include generous support from donors, grants, corporations, and foundations, including a significant gift from the Benck Family Foundation. We also thank Wheatland Plowing Match for their donation of the Wood Bros. Thresher.

4. When will the Center be open to visitors?

Building construction has begun and will wrap up soon. Naper Settlement is in the pre-programming stages of designing the exhibits and experiences that will be housed in the Center.  

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1. What are your hours and rates?

For information on admission fees and hours, please view the admissions and hours.

Hours and Admission

2. Where are you located?

Naper Settlement is located at the corner of Aurora Avenue and Webster Street at the south end of downtown Naperville, which is just 28 miles west of Chicago. The address is: 523 S Webster Street Naperville, IL 60540

View directions to the site

3. Do you have rooms available to rent for receptions and meetings?

Yes. The lower level of the Century Memorial Chapel holds 80 to 85 people, and the tavern in the Pre-Emption House holds 44 people.

Rental Information

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1. Is Naper Settlement accessible to people with disabilities?

Yes, but due to the historic nature of our village, some buildings have limited accessibility. Wheelchair access to some historic buildings is available by chair lift or ramped entrance. Accessibility Information

2. Will we be the only group visiting?

If you are planning to visit Naper Settlement in April through October, generally there are many other groups visiting the grounds. However, we do limit the number of reserved groups that can attend on any given day. If you are planning to visit Naper Settlement in January, February or March, your students will be able to experience their own exclusive program. There may be other schools on our grounds at that time, but they will be participating in their own individual program as well.

3. What is the cancellation policy for your school programs?

Program cancellations must be made at least six weeks before your scheduled date, or you will be responsible for the entire program fee. Payment for our programs is due two weeks prior to your program date. Non-payment of the fee by the designated date does not constitute cancellation. If you must cancel a program, call Naper Settlement at 630.420.6010 as soon as possible.

4. Can we take photographs or videos during our visit?

You may take as many outdoor images as you like. There are many locations suitable for a class photo like the stairs leading the Chapel, the Conestoga Wagon and the porch of the Paw Paw Post Office. Non-flash photography is permitted inside our buildings, with the exception of the Martin Mitchell Mansion and the “Brushstrokes of the Past” exhibit; due to the sensitive nature of the artifacts. Use of tripods, videotaping or audio taping of educational programs is prohibited. Photography Policies

5. Does Naper Settlement offer programs that can take place in my school?

Naper Settlement's Education Department staff will come to your school to offer a variety of curriculum-related programs for students in grade school. This allows you to schedule programming at your convenience without worrying about costs or school bus schedules. Bringing History to You

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1. What is Unvarnished? What topics does the online exhibit cover?

Unvarnished: Housing Discrimination in the Northern and Western United States is a free online exhibit examining the history of residential segregation in America by spotlighting six communities from California to Connecticut and placing their histories within a national context. Visitors will learn how the large-scale system of housing discrimination based on exclusionary practices defined by race, ethnicity, or religion intensified in the 1890s and over much of the twentieth century. The exhibit features articles, videos, expert interviews, oral histories, primary documents, and photographs that showcase how informal localized systems of segregation became national policy and were sustained over time, culminating in the mid-twentieth century Fair Housing Movement. 

Topics covered include segregation, immigration, The Great Migration, sundown town legacies, discriminatory zoning, restrictive covenants, suburbanization, the fight for open housing, and their contemporary legacies.  

To view the online exhibit, please visit UnvarnishedHistory.org

2. What communities are featured in the exhibit and why were these communities selected?

Along with an overview of the national context, the following communities are spotlighted:

·    Appleton, WI 

·    Brea, CA

·    Columbus, OH

·    Naperville, IL

·    Oak Park, IL

·    West Hartford, CT

These six communities demonstrate how housing discrimination manifested itself in different ways across the United States often based on race, ethnicity, or religion. Each of the six communities was selected because their history museum or cultural organization is dedicated to doing the work of researching, understanding, and acknowledging their community’s history of exclusion. 

3. How was the online exhibit funded?

Unvarnished: Housing Discrimination in the Northern and Western United States online exhibit was funded by a prestigious Museum National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the primary source of federal support for the nation’s museums. The $1.5 million project was a grant for $750,000 with a 1:1 match met through consortium member staff efforts and the Healing Illinois Grant Program. 

4. What type of research went into the Unvarnished online exhibit and its teacher resources?

From 2016 to 2022, a team of public historians, scholars, academic advisors, subject-matter experts, museum practitioners, and educators were dedicated to researching and developing Unvarnished and its teacher resources. In addition to providing the national context, the project’s consortium did extensive research into their own community’s legacies of segregation and housing discrimination. Following best practices, a team of nationally recognized scholars peer-reviewed the exhibit content. 

The project also had an extensive audience research component. Nearly 15,000 teachers, museum professionals, museum-goers, and the general public participated in the research component of the exhibit and curriculum development.  Fifty museums participated in the audience research, including the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, Historic New England, History Nebraska, National Civil Rights Museum, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, and the Wisconsin Historical Society. 

SCHOLARLY ADVISORY COMMITTEE 

Dennis Cremin, Ph.D., Lewis University, Romeoville, IL 

Estevan Rael-Gálvez, Ph.D., Creative Strategies 360°, Santa Fe, NM

Gretchen Sorin, Ph.D., Cooperstown Graduate Program, SUNY Oneonta, Cooperstown, NY

Thomas J. Sugrue, Ph.D., New York University, New York City, NY

Noelle Trent, Ph.D., National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis, TN 

CULTURAL ADVISOR

Charmaine Jefferson, J.D. Kélan Resources Los Angeles, CA

AUDIENCE RESEARCHER

Susie Wilkening, Wilkening Consulting, Seattle, WA  

SELECT CONSULTANTS, RESEARCHERS, AND WRITING SUPPORT

William Adair, Museum Education Consultant, Philadelphia, PA 

Melanie Adams, Ph.D., Consultant, Washington, D.C. 

Dina Bailey, Consultant, Mountain Top Vision, Atlanta, GA 

Sarah E. Doherty, Ph.D., Historian, North Park University, Chicago, IL 

International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, New York City, NY 

Paige Glotzer, Ph.D., Historian, University of Wisconsin, WI

James W. Loewen, Ph.D., Sociologist, Washington, D.C. (1942-2021) 

Michelle Moon, Saltworks Interpretive Services, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 

EXHIBIT DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN

Night Kitchen Interactive 

5. How can teachers incorporate Unvarnished into their history lessons?

A section of UnvarnishedHistory.org is dedicated to educators and includes resources for utilizing the online exhibit in middle and high school lesson planning. The Unvarnished educator resources are organized into four modules that can be used individually or combined into a full unit of study. The development of the educational resources was guided by extensive teacher research, including surveys, focus groups, and a teacher review team. The teacher resources were developed using the Common Core Standards for Literacy in History and Social Studies by the National Council on Social Studies.

6. Was Naperville’s history of exclusion unique to this region?

Until the late 1960s, like nearly all of DuPage and Will County, Naperville, was virtually all White. It is estimated that over 70% of towns and cities in Illinois with over 1,000 residents were sundown towns — all white communities or counties that purposefully maintained their status through harassment, custom, discriminatory laws and ordinances, and violence or threat of violence. 

7. Why is the Naperville Heritage Society sharing this history?

The mission of the Naperville Heritage Society is to collect, document, preserve, and support the history of Naperville, Illinois past and present. It is our responsibility and purpose to research, collect, and share the stories of our community throughout time. When Naper Settlement expanded its mission 15 years ago to include Naperville’s history through today, our research into twentieth and twenty-first century history asked core questions including: Why did Naperville have such significant demographic change over a fifty-year period, beginning in 1970? What local, regional, and national factors played a role? Do other communities have similar stories? Why or why not? 

This historical knowledge builds an informed and educated public which is a critical component of any healthy society. By studying history, we gain a deeper understanding of the people, circumstances, actions, norms, and events that shaped us as a community and nation. This insight deepens our understanding of where we’ve been (and why), where we are now, and most importantly how we can do better. 

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1. How can I incorporate Naper Settlement’s field trip into my school day? How long is the trip?

Flexibility in scheduling is vital for teachers, and our distance learning offers a variety of options to adapt to the school day schedule. Each program offers 3 synchronous and 3 asynchronous sessions, and students will engage with museum educators, watch VR videos, explore houses and artifacts in VR with interactive pop-ups, complete stimulating activities, and interact with 3D objects during each field trip.

• Each field trip will consist of 3 live sessions (synchronous) and 3 on your own sessions (asynchronous).
• The sessions range from 25 to 50 minutes based on the activity.
• Teachers have the option to do the field trip all in one day or over three different days. To choose the best schedule for your classroom, you can book your digital field trip for a one-day or three-day experience within your registered week.

2. What computer equipment do I need to participate? What are the technical requirements for viewing?

As long as your device has access to the internet with Google Chrome, you can access our field trips. If you do not have Google Chrome, Firefox is the next best search engine to use. Make sure your browser is up to date.

3. How should I prepare my students?

Our Learning Experiences Team will send you a packet with pre and post-visit documents to better help you prepare for the trips. Our pre-documents will guide you on how to prepare your students before the trip as well as navigation tips for our Google Classroom. Post-visit materials will help reinforce what your students learned on the trip. We also include suggested resources for the teacher.

4. What should I do if I have to cancel?

This is not a tentative reservation and our cancellation policy, shown below, does apply:

• Program cancellations must be made no later than six weeks in advance of your scheduled visit date or you will be billed for the entire program fee. As we often turn away schools due to a full reservation calendar, any group that “no shows” for a reserved program will be billed for the complete program fee.
• Lack of payment in advance of your program(s) does not constitute a cancellation.
• Naper Settlement reserves the right to cancel, change or alter any program. Naper Settlement will make every effort to communicate changes to all parties. If Naper Settlement cancels a program/event, registrants will be offered a full refund.
• Cancellations or changes to a reservation by a participant will be accepted via phone or e-mail and must be received by the stated cancellation deadline.
• It is the registrant’s responsibility to ensure the cancellation or change is received and approved within the deadline.
• There are no make-up classes or pro-rating for classes missed due to student absence for illness, travel, family emergencies, etc.
• In the event that those hosting the class experience power or internet outages, every effort will be made to reschedule the class. Please email or call the Naper Settlement contact person listed in your confirmation as soon as you know you are experiencing connectivity problems. Alternatively, Naper Settlement’s main office may be contacted at 630-420-6010.
• In the event that Naper Settlement experiences power or internet outages every effort will be made to reschedule the class.

5. What is the role of the classroom teacher during the trip?

During “live” and “work-alone” sessions, the teacher is expected to maintain classroom participation and decorum. Teachers will be included as a teacher on our Google platform and can view student comments and responses throughout the trip. A teacher must be present during all “live” sessions. Teachers may choose the best way to complete “work-alone” sessions for their classroom.

6. What are the recommended grade levels?

Living History & History Station	Voices of the Past	Lessons in Resilience
4th Grade	8th Grade	6th & 7th Grade

7. What types of payments are accepted

Check or Credit Card Payments Are Accepted. No refunds are available after payment is received.

Credit Card Payment:  Call Naper Settlement at 630-420-6010 and our Guest Services Team can take payment over the phone. · Please have all invoice numbers available for reference. An invoice was generated for each class attending a virtual program. 

Check Payments: Made Payable to Naper Settlement · Mail check and copy of all invoices paid on the check to: Naper Settlement Program Reservations 523 S. Webster Street Naperville IL 60540

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1. How do I become a volunteer?

You can complete the online application, contact the Director of Organizational Resources at 630.305.5256 or nsvolunteer@naperville.il.us, or stop by the museum.

2. Do I have to dress in period clothing?

The Junior Volunteer program (for volunteers in 4th-8th grades) are required to wear period-correct costuming, along with Schoolhouse Interpreters and Blacksmiths. All other volunteer positions do not require special clothing, however there are costuming options for those interested.

3. Do I have to buy a costume?

Each costumed role is a bit different from the next. Museum staff will assist you in identifying the right costume. Naper Settlement also maintains a small library of costume patterns, as many volunteers make their own costuming.

4. Is there a dress code?

Besides certain costumed roles, there is no dress code. However, volunteers are expected to dress appropriately, as volunteers represent the Museum to visitors and the community.

5. What skills or qualities can Idevelop as a result of volunteer at Naper Settlement?

Volunteering is a great way to develop new skills, such as public speaking , organizing, computer use, research, event management, and many more!

6. What type of orientations or training do volunteers receive?

Orientation and training for Building Interpreters and History Connectors takes place in late winter (usually late January or early ) February and in late spring (usually June). Orientation and training for Juniors begins in February. Other volunteer roles receive orientation when they being volunteering and training is ongoing, as projects and goals change.