FAQs

Frequently asked—and answered—questions.

  • The Ellwood House Museum offers tours from March 1 to mid-December.

    Our Visitor Center is open Wednesday through Sunday 12:30PM - 4:30PM.

    Tours of the Ellwood House are offered at 1PM and 3PM Wednesday through Sunday.

    Tours of Ellcourt are offered at 2PM Wednesday through Sunday.

  • The Ellwood House Museum is closed on the following holidays:

    New Year’s Day
    Martin Luther King Jr Day
    President’s Day
    Easter Weekend
    Memorial Day
    Juneteenth
    Fourth of July
    Labor Day
    Indigenous Peoples/Columbus Day
    Thanksgiving
    Christmas Eve and Christmas
    New Year’s Eve

    It is open on all other holidays.

  • We offer a variety of admission prices to ensure our tours can be enjoyed by everyone.

    Our regular tour admission prices are:

    • $10 adults

    • $8 Students and Seniors, AAA, Military

    • $8 National Trust Members

    • $5 Northern Illinois University Honors Students

    • $5 Youth (Ages 6-17)

    • Free for Ellwood House Members and Children Under 6

    Please visit our Hours and Admission Page for additional free admission opportunities.

  • At this time, all tours of the Mansion and Ellcourt are provided by a docent or staff member.

    The museum grounds can be enjoyed without a guide.

  • The first floors of the Mansion and Ellcourt are wheelchair accessible. Both levels of the Visitor Center are wheelchair accessible.

    The first floor of the Ellwood Mansion is accessible by lift, and the basement is accessible by ramp, but the remaining two floors can only be accessed by stairs.

    First floor and basement-only tours are available at a discounted rate.

  • Photography on the grounds and in the buildings is allowed. No flash photography is allowed indoors. No permits or fees are required, but large groups are encouraged to call in advance.

    Professional photography is not currently allowed inside the Ellwood mansion.

  • Absolutely. We offer a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces to meet your needs. For more information about our space offerings visit our ‘Host Your Event’ page on the website or reach out to us by phone at 815-756-4609 or by email at rentals@ellwoodhouse.org

  • Our museum grounds are perfect for walking your pets, but they must be securely leashed at all times. Only service animals are allowed in museum buildings.

  • Ellwood House Musuem is located at 420 Linden Place, DeKalb Illinois. The main entrance and parking lot are located off Linden behind the Ellcourt Carriage house.

    The museum also has a bike rack available in front of the Visitor Center.

  • No food and beverage is permitted inside the homes. Only water in clear and plastic containers is allowed in the Ellwood Mansion and Ellcourt.

    Food and beverage are allowed in the Visitor Center lobby and Hearthside Room. Picnics on our grounds are allowed and encouraged, as long as there is no alcohol.