Lemont Area
Historical Society Group Tours
Group tours can be scheduled outside of regular museum hours
The Lemont Area Historical Society Museum
is a fascinating place, beginning with the very limestone with which it is
built. The church area remains the same
as when the Methodists worshipped here over 140 years, including the beautiful
stained-glass windows from the 1890's.
Your guide will relate the history of this National Landmark building as
you are escorted through its many exhibits.
Learn about the early settlers in the area, hear stories about the
colorful days when the Illinois & Michigan Canal was new and limestone
quarrying was the area's biggest industry. One of the tour highlights is the
lower level exhibit area that provides visitors with a flavor of what Lemont
was like. Dioramas include a general
store, livery stable, medical office, and schoolroom. The museum tour for Adult
Groups includes the 20-minute “Marble Valley” video about limestone quarrying
in the area.
Tour Length:
Approximately
45 minutes for School/Youth
Groups
Approximately 1 hour for
Adult Groups
Tour Difficulty: The first floor of the building is
handicapped accessible. Accessing the
lower level exhibits involves 1 flight of stairs. A videotape tour of the lower level is available.
DOWNTOWN LEMONT
WALKING TOUR
You and your guide will walk through
Lemont's original downtown area. On
your tour you will learn about the colorful history of the buildings and people
of Lemont and the unique role the town played in the building of the Chicago
area. Tour highlights include one of
the best preserved sections of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, remains of an
old quarry, one of the oldest train stations still in operation in Illinois,
and some of the most scenic topography in Cook County. Historical Photos will
be shown to give a visual image of what the town looked like in the 1900’s.
Modern day attractions include charming small-town eateries as well as antique
and specialty shops.
Tour Length: Approximately 1 hour Maximum of 3/4 mile
Tour Difficulty: Moderately easy walking. Most of the route is on level ground. However, due to the topography of the town,
part of the tour involves one flight of steps at two locations and crosses one
pair of railroad tracks.
*** New for 2010 ***
Your group and guide will walk along the Illinois & Michigan Canal on the way to view three quarries. On the tour you will learn about the construction and use of the I&M Canal and see the ruins of a brick kiln. The history of Lemont limestone, the quarry industry and its workers will be covered as you view three beautiful spring-fed quarries. You may even see small mammals and waterfowl along the route. Historical photos of canal boats, quarry equipment and workers, will be shown to give you a sense of the hustle and bustle of the canal and quarries in their heyday.
Tour Length: Approximately 1 hour Approximately 3/4 mile
Tour Difficulty: Moderate. A crushed gravel trail runs along the canal and quarries with some inclines.
Museum staff will work with teachers to
provide information to supplement specific curriculum needs.
Tour guides are trained to give tours to
all age groups (minimum age is 3rd grade).
The Museum Tour can be combined with the
Downtown Walking Tour.