Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County — Attraction in Libertyville

I had just came from a mini golf course that ended quickly and decided to go look for something else to do and stumbled across this🧍🏻‍♀️ When arriving I won't lie I was a bit scared as the parking lot was empty but I don't regret going in. It is a very small museum but it's a fun short experience 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️ The guy who attended us was very lovely and kind as well as soft spoken when attending us so I can appreciate that. There's lots of history from different times but favorite part was the animal bones it was mammoth and saber tooth and a little area where you can look for bones in what looked like small rocks ? Not to be a kid but I was playing with the rocks 😭 at the end tho we did stumble across 5 ppl who scared me and my bf as they were all standing separately from one another 😭 not sure if it was on purpose but definitely scared me and him. Other than that tho had lots of fun...

Spent 2 1/2 hours at the museum today, with my grandchildren (ages 9 and 10). They loved it, especially the Native American exhibit, which was also my favorite. They were excited to recognize some of the speakers on the video from the drumming and storytelling gathering a few weeks ago. My granddaughter wished she could spend the night sleeping on the bear skin! The only complaint was from my granddaughter, who wished the log cabin, hands-on exhibit from the old facility, would have been at this new one. She remembers it fondly, from when she was 6, and how much fun she and her brother had pretending to be Lake County pioneers. An overall great learning time for all three of us. It helps them appreciate the history of the forest preserve trails I've taken them to, so far, over the last few years, and how to respect Mother Nature's gifts to us all. THANK YOU ALL FOR...

Now in its new, unassuming location in a concrete and asphalt business park (instead of it's original, nice surroundings in a real, green park), the staff has nevertheless created a modern, thoroughly impressive museum showcasing a fair amount of the history of Lake County and its peoples, both native and immigrant. The museum is now much larger than before, with a mix of information making it suitable for all levels including children and those who wish to delve into more detail. Definitely worth a visit, and I hope Lake County eventually creates an annual museum pass. One comment about time: those who are quick surface browsers may spend 60-90 minutes, but those who wish to read and discuss all of the exhibit material may wish to do so over a 2-3 hour...