Five minutes from the Riverwalk, Naper Settlement packs more than 30 historic buildings — a Victorian mansion, a working blacksmith shop, a one-room schoolhouse and a chapel — onto 13 acres in the heart of downtown. Naperville residents get in free. Here is what to see, what it costs if you are visiting from out of town, and the hours trap to check before you go. Last updated October 28, 2026.
Naper Settlement describes itself as a nationally accredited, award-winning outdoor history museum. It is operated by the Naperville Heritage Society under a management agreement with the City of Naperville, and it is the only museum of its kind in Illinois accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, according to the Heritage Society.
The museum was established in 1969, when the Heritage Society formed to save St. John's Episcopal Church (built in 1864) from demolition. The church was moved across town in 1970 to the grounds around the Martin Mitchell Mansion and renamed Century Memorial Chapel — the first of many buildings relocated to the site. The land itself was bequeathed to the City of Naperville in 1936 by Caroline Martin Mitchell, the last heir of the Martin family, on the condition it remain a museum.
Today the grounds hold more than 30 historic structures covering Naperville life from its founding in 1831 through the early 20th century. Many buildings were moved here from their original locations and restored to their period. Expect a walkable village, not a single building with display cases: you move building to building outdoors, with museum educators in period dress, hands-on activities, and demonstrations along the way.
The centerpiece, and the one building original to this land. The 12-room house was built in 1883 by George Martin II — whose family made its fortune in farming, a DuPage River limestone quarry, and the Naperville Tile and Brick Works — and was known to the family as Pine Craig. The family lived here until 1936. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and restored in the early 2000s to its Victorian appearance.
Built in 1864 as St. John's Episcopal Church, this is the building whose threatened demolition created the museum. Moved to the grounds in 1970, it became the first relocated structure at the Settlement and still hosts weddings and events today.
The two stops kids remember most. Watch the blacksmith work at the forge, then sit down for a lesson in the one-room schoolhouse — the museum highlights both as core hands-on experiences, alongside a print shop, a log house, and one of Naperville's oldest frame houses, the Paw Paw Post Office (built in 1833).
Indoors, three exhibits anchor a rainy-day visit: Building Naperville: Tallgrass Prairie to Today, the Thresher Experience bringing the area's farming history to life, and the newer We The People: Naperville and the American Story — created for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, with local stories and hands-on activities included in admission, according to the museum.
Prices and hours change — confirm with the museum before visiting, especially in late fall and winter when the schedule narrows.
General admission listed by the museum is $12 for adults (13+), $10 for seniors (62+), $8 for youth (4–12), and $9 for veterans with ID verification. Museum members and Naperville residents with proof of residency receive free general admission. Visitors with an EBT Link or WIC card receive $1 admission through Museums for All, and active military personnel and their immediate family receive free admission year-round with military ID through Blue Star Museums. Confirm current prices with the museum before visiting.
For October, the museum listed Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Hours change by season, so confirm the hours for your visit date on the museum's Visit page or by calling 630-420-6010 before you go.
Naper Settlement is at 523 S. Webster St., Naperville, IL 60540, in downtown Naperville, phone 630-420-6010. Visitor parking is at the Naper Settlement lot at the corner of Webster Street and Porter Avenue. Confirm parking and any event-day changes with the museum before visiting.
Yes. Naperville residents receive free general admission with proof of residency, and the museum notes that all adult members of your party must show proof of residency to receive free admission.
Plan for a half-day visit. The museum covers 13 acres with more than 30 historic structures, indoor exhibits, and live demonstrations such as the blacksmith at the forge and lessons in the one-room schoolhouse. Arrive close to opening to see demonstrations and leave time for the Martin Mitchell Mansion and the indoor exhibits.