Naper Settlement

Naper Settlement, established in 1969, is a 12-acre (49,000 m2) outdoor history museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums that consists of a collection of thirty historical buildings and structures from the Naperville, Illinois area. Many buildings were moved here from their original locations and refurbished in a style fitting of their time periods that range from 1831 when Naperville was founded through the early 20th century. Visitors can come for hands-on activities and tours led by museum educators in period costume. The settlement is situated on land bequeathed to the City of Naperville in 1936 by Caroline Martin Mitchell. Naper Settlement was established in 1969 by a group of individuals who were interested in saving the Civil War-era St. John's Episcopal Church from possible demolition. The group, called the Naperville Heritage Society, was a grassroots effort of community members who raised the funds, both in cash and in-kind, to have the historic church transferred to the grounds of the Martin Mitchell Mansion. Read more about the history of Naper Settlement.