Frances E. Willard House

Historical Value

The history of Willard Historic House Museum reveals the versatile use and visionary purpose of space. Initially as a private residence, it also hosted scholars as well as students in its dormitory, was equally a busy workspace, and subsequently became a memorial and the historic museum it is today. The large and comfortable rooms were modified so to become practical spaces and would be dedicated to needs of the moment.

Frances Elizabeth Willard was born September 28, 1839, in Churchville, New York. In 1858, she moved with her family to attend North Western Female College in Evanston, IL. She graduated in 1859, soon after she started teaching, her dedicated and dynamic style made her very popular which brought her to additional positions in nearby towns. As her career grew, Frances was asked to preside over the newly opened Evanston College for Ladies. Once it was integrated within Northwestern University in 1873, she had the honor of becoming the first Dean of Women of the Women’s College.
A year later Frances participated in the convention of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, WCTU, she became the organization’s secretary and added a newly forged relationship with what developed into one of the largest organizations of women in the nineteenth century. Frances considered it her duty to educate and train women in order to accomplish not only the organizational mission but also to contune with education as an important aspect to societal reform.

A New Take On What Home Means To Us

In her article from May 14, 2020: “Working from Home – What a 19th Century Historic House Can Tell Us Now”, historian and Frances E. Willard Historic House Museum Director, Lori Osborne reveals a new side of what the usually busy house has to offer. “This year is, of course, completely different. Like all other museums and archives, we have cancelled spring and early summer events, and we are closed for tours and for research.”
Ms. Osborne continues, “This year, though, in the quiet of a pandemic spring, this old house has shown me a different side. Though I am only here for a short time just to check on the house and get a few things done (and no one else is here with me) I have found the quiet revealing in a way I hadn’t expected.”

Programs

By offering internships to students, the Frances E. Willard museum allows them to put their skills into practice. Being involved wether it be in person or virtually gives them a real-world application of school theories.

Additionally, these programs are a great way to learn time management, collaborative skills, and establish leadership positions which help upon graduation in today's competitive work arena.

An update from Ms. Lori Osborne:

A highlight of our year was when we decided to move our internships to a remote format. Though it was a challenge at first - we are so very glad we did. It brought us new perspective and energy just when we needed it, and gave emerging professionals in the public history field good work to do at a difficult time. Our summer remote intern Hannah Lahti made clear the impact for her:

“This internship allowed me to practice taking on a larger role for a project...I was pushed to work very independently...with the support and expectations of the professionals at the Frances Willard House. My expectations were exceeded as the staff welcomed me into their meetings, offered many opportunities for support, mailed resources, and even gave me a virtual tour!”

Students gain exposure to research, writing, archiving, as well as develop critical networking connections while doing so. Internships at the historic house museum are an invaluable opportunity to consider different perspectives, collaborate on a variety of projects while showing commitment to such an esteemed insitution.

New Blogpost - Virtual Field Trip!

On November 14, a group of students visited the Frances Willard House -virtually!

Museum Fellow Fiona Maxwell led a digital tour of the museum for 3rd-5th grade students enrolled in her Piven Theatre Workshop class as part of a new partnership with the museum and Piven. Fiona wrote about her experiences teaching via Zoom and keeping students engaged in a new blog post, Playing in the Virtual Parlor.

Their adventure started with this intriguing back story: A group of visitors from Sky Island crowded around the fat dictionary on Frances Willard’s bedroom desk. They had found a clue – a mysterious annotation that held the secret to the unknown history of woman’s suffrage on Sky Island.

Who wouldn't want to explore more?!

Frances E. Willard Historical House Museum is making plans to offer similar programs over the winter and spring of 2021.

Photo Gallery

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