Marion E. Wade Center — Attraction in Wheaton

The wade center is definitely a MUST SEE if you are interesting in books. It's completely free, all you have to do is fill out a waiver and you can enjoy what the wade center has to offer in their library. Now keep in mind that the wade center is not not your average library. They contain evry book written by several legendary authors. JRR Tolkien, C.S Lewis, G.K Chesterton, the most renown members of the Inklings group if you ever heard of them. You can not take the books with you but you can stay for as long as you want until closing time. Also, the wade center contains several artifacts from each C.S Lewis and Tolkien including letters, first drafts of their books, illustrations of their book characters, their own desks, and even books they read as children that inspired their own books. They even do seminars on each author. If your are passing through west Chicago, definitely put the wade center on your travel guide if...

I had such a delightful visit! When my friends suggested I check this place out, I had no idea what an amazing place it was. The most exciting things to see at the Marion E. Wade Center are the writing desks of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien and the wardrobe that Lewis and his brother played in as children. Yes, this is the wardrobe that inspired the magic one in the Chronicles of Narnia. The center has other lovely displays on the works of Tolkien and Lewis and other writers who influenced Lewis's life. It's not large or extensive, but it is worth the stop. You can just come in and look around, or you schedule a tour. I hear there is also a sort of scavenger hunt activity where you are given a sheet of things to find in the displays. Another main feature of the center is the library. It is the perfect place for anyone doing research and writing on these...

An astonishing treasure and a wealth of scholarship in those curating and running the center. We were immediately offered a tour as we entered, and heard fascinating information as we enjoyed the exhibits. I believe anyone with a literary bend will enjoy a visit, especially of course those who enjoy Lewis, Tolkien, Chesterton, MacDonald, Sayers. The reading room was a complete surprise--a marvelous collection in a beautiful, quiet atmosphere.

Note they are open midday hours Mon-Fri (only a couple of Saturdays a year). While you don't need tickets in advance, the staff is very interested in helping you and I recommend reaching out in advance via their website to...