Our Programs & Events
OUR NEXT EVENT:
Plant A Milkweed with Mom
Sunday, May 3rd, 2026 – 1:00pm-4:00pm
Just in time for Mother’s Day – ‘Kid’s Day’ at the Clayson House Museum returns! Drop by the Palatine Historical Society’s Clayson House Museum to learn about Monarch butterfliesand plant a milkweed plant to take home and plant at your house! Did you know that Monarch butterflies only lay their eggs on milkweed plants and that milkweed is the only thing Monarch caterpillars eat? Imagine how many Monarchs there were during Victorian times when there were not as many houses in Palatine as there are today, and milkweed plants dotted roadsides and open land in Palatine. You will be able to see where we are growing milkweed to support the Monarch butterfly population in the Clayson Woods and plant a milkweed plant to take home to grow in your yard or on your deck/patio. Be sure to take a tour of the Clayson House and Carriage House while you are visiting!
GENERAL MEETING & PUBLIC PROGRAM
When? Wednesday, May 20th, 2026 : 7:00pm-8:00pm
Where? Palatine Park District
250 W Illinois Ave, Palatine, IL 60067
Flag Day
Saturday, June 13th 2026
9:30AM-11:00AM
George Clayson House: 224 E. Palatine Road. Palatine, IL 60067
Presented by:
Palatine Historical Society & The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
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Our Flag Day program will honor the origin of Flag Day
- Plus a 21-gun salute by the American Legion Post 690
- Ending with a retirement ceremony of a flag
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Color Guard Units include:
- Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
- American Legion Post 690
- Palatine Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts
- Chicago’s own Young Marines Color Guard
RAIN OR SHINE EVENT!
- We will also be accepting American flags for proper retirement.
- Parking is available behind the museum in the lot on Oak Street
Downtown Palatine HERStory Crawl
Celebrating the History of the Women who shaped Palatines Community
Independence Day Parade
Saturday, July __, 2026
In some years the Palatine Historical Society enters a float in the 4th of July parade! Last year, 2025, we received 1st place for “Most Patriotic Float!”
We borrow a hay wagon from John Bruns and the Nolands hitch it to their truck and drive it along the parade route. Of course, we have to decorate it first and volunteers spend an evening a day or two before the parade doing that.
So, gents out there and ladies, too, we can always use some physical labor for that one night. We have won many prizes for our floats from the Jaycees!
PUBLIC PROGRAM
The Story of Harriet Beecher Stowe
Played by Patty Lynn
When? Wednesday, Sepetember 2nd, 2026 : 7:00pm-8:00pm
Where? TBD
Cemetery Walk
Sunday, September 20th, 2026 1:00pm-4:00pm
The annual Cemetery Walk began in 1993 for two reasons. The first was to present a living history of Palatine to its residents that would be more interesting, especially to young people. Hillside Cemetery land was donated to the village by Joel Wood around 1854. It represents 150 years of local history that we think should be preserved and shared with the community.
The second reason is that when we began to record the people buried there we found many, many of the old gravestones worn out, broken, or missing. There were no official records for the first 90 years of Hillside’s existence. It was necessary to save the records that were there, that is the gravestones. Therefore, we charged for tickets to this event. The money has always been used, and complemented by Palatine Township, for the repair of these old stones whose families are no longer here. This difficult and expensive work is still being done.
We always appreciate volunteers to lead tours around to the graves of those citizens who come out to tell you about their past lives. And we can always use a few actors and actresses, too. Here are some a photo taken by Ruben Cuellar in 2016, of cemetery work done by Stonehuggers.
George Clayson House… AFTER DARK
Friday, October 23rd, 2026 – 6:00pm-9:00pm
Christmas Open House
Sunday, December 6th 2026 1:00pm-4:00pm
Every year, we open the Clayson House Museum to invite guests to see the house’s Christmas decorations. Each year we try to use a different decorating theme.
Punch and cookies are served while holiday music is played. The museum is open from 1:00 to 4:00. Of course, you can visit the museum every Sunday through the New Year or come on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m and Thursdays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. to see the holiday decorations, though treats are served only at the Open House.
There is no charge for the Open House. Volunteers are asked to bake cookies for that Sunday event.
PHS Programs locations to be announced. Please look for program description.
Through these programs (locations to be announced) , the Historical Society provides the community with scenes from many different times and places in our history without charge. High School students even get credit from their history teachers for coming to one of these programs. The programs are held two to three times a year usually on the 3rd Wednesday of the months of May, September, and October. They start at 7 p.m.
We have had many diversified programs including slide shows on old barns, a visit from Mr. & Mrs. Lincoln, local history presentations, and a talk on cemeteries.
