1140 Willow Road Winnetka, IL 60093

Schmidt - Burnham House

Built in the 1830s, with a 1917 addition, it is the oldest log structure in Cook County.

The house was originally constructed on 37 acres on the site of Indian Hill Country Club. Peter Schmidt who was a German immigrant was the first documented owner. He purchased the property in 1841 and enlarged it to accommodate a growing family. He also renovated the interior walls with stucco and added a clapboard to the exterior.  In 1870, the Schmidt family moved to Wisconsin and sold the log house.

In 1917 a famous local artist, Anita Willets Burnham was on a painting excursion.  She fell in love with it and purchased it for $25. However, the land onto which the house was placed was not included. Ms. Willets spent $100 to have the house moved by horse-drawn wagon to 1407 Tower Road in Winnetka, near the intersection of Tower and Vernon. 

Anita made many additions to the log house to allow for more room but also to be able to offer and organize art classes. The Willets-Burnham family owned the home until 2001 when it was donated to the Winnetka Historical Society.

The log house was actually moved once again to Crow Island Woods, adjacent to Crow Island School. Moving the house was an enormous challenge for many reasons. The location had to be negotiated with numerous groups. Logistically moving the log house involved a precise and an active organization as well as another key element: not damaging it!

This epic undertaking was coordinated by Ms. Joan Evanich and the Historical Society’s team. So many hours were devoted to preserving and restoring it. Finally, all the hard work paid off as it was open to the public in 2006.

Today, the Schmidt-Burnham Log house is a museum that carries on the tradition of storytelling through generations. As an invaluable part of sharing local cultural heritage, its story bringing connections between different voices and experiences.

Anita Willets was born in Brooklyn, New York, on August 22, 1880 from a large family. In 1883, her family moved to Chicago, IL. She studied art and honed her craft at many prestigious institutions such as the Art Institute where she met Alfred Burnham, the nephew of Daniel Burnham, the notable architect. Locally, she was very active as an artist as well as an art teacher.

In 1921, with her family of six in tow and their own handmade rolling suitcases, Anita Willets-Burnham left Winnetka to start a tour of the world. A journey which would lead her to write and publish in 1933 the best-selling “travelogue” of the family's odysseys in "Round the World on a Penny".

A 1935 trip to Mexico resulted in a second book "Fourth of July in Old Mexico". With this success, she raised $239,000 in war bonds from thirty-two Chicago area residents by pledging to paint their portraits. In her many stops, instead of offering money for lodging and food, she would, instead, offer a sketch or a drawing.

Anita Willets-Burnham, an inspirational and bohemian artist as well as renowned faculty member of the School of Art Institute in Chicago still inspires many today. Her love of different cultures and perspectives is reflected in her writing sharing personal stories acknowledging the power of cultural exchanges and creative collaboration. Many of her watercolor paintings reflect the colorful optimism which framed her adventurous life and work.

In 1994, Joan Evanich was named the Winnetka Historical Society's museum chair and few years later was offered the position of executive director.

“The acquisition of the Schmidt-Burnham Log House was something the Historical Society had been talking about since the 1940s” Evanich said with conviction.

Ms. Evanich worked assiduously so that the Winnetka Park and School District would help with the log house and its preservation. She made it her mission to turn the log house into an educational asset. By coordinating with the adjacent school teachers, Ms. Evanich found a way of weaving the log house’s history into the school’s curriculum. Since then, local schools have had students visit and learn about its history, famous owner and so much more.

Via re-enactments, displays of artisans works and live workshops led by trained craftsmen, students have realized how complicated life was at that time, all without the help of the internet or cellphones!

Liza McElroy, Winnetka's director of parks and recreation, said Evanich's enthusiasm for the project proved contagious.

"We're in a very landlocked community," McElroy said. "Open space is at a premium, but this is something that would be really beneficial to the community. It comes out in the end as a win-win situation for the historical society, the Park District and the school district. It's a great deal for the residents and her passion played a role in convincing the park district to go ahead with this."

Julie Pfeffer, curriculum director, said teachers working with Ms.Evanich on curriculum development "are incredibly enthusiastic" about the project. "She really is an expert on the history of the village and can really serve as a wonderful resource to all the teachers in the district".

From a Chicago Tribune article written by Dean Geroulis: “Promoting, protecting town's past her passion” February 5, 2003

Some recent programs invite visitors to explore virtual exhibits:

• Extraordinary Women

• 15 Decades/15 Objects

What are some benefits in visiting the Log house?

There are many benefits for students who are exposed to live historical re-enactments. They learn about history and architecture, and are valuable because they offer an opportunities to synthesize information, discover what people have valued at a given point in time. Students are invited to role-play and participate in recreated historical events and have a chance to ask questions to the historic interpreters. These are actually volunteers who are dressed in period-accurate clothing and are experts on the period and the way of life at that time, they are able to answer specific questions providing detailed explanations.

Additionally, students also can appreciate historical interpretation, become aware of different realities and the complexities of life at that time. Teachers can weave in critical thinking exercises so that students are able to understand the ways in which the local community worked. These experiences give them an opportunity to reflect on the many facets that differ with today's way of life.

They enable students to analyze a variety of aspects:

* physical and cultural patterns and their interactions

* land use

* cultural transmission of customs and ideas

* storytelling and rituals

* ecosystem changes

This weaving of information validates the concept of an integrative curriculum where education is connected through a variety of disciplines. Making these real life connections allows for a meaningful learning and an emphasis on growth mindset.

Please Click to Enlarge/Scroll Through the Gallery

Transcription of my conversation with Joan Evanich (JE) who is the previous director of the Log House Museum.

In what ways has the Log House Museum connected to its community?
JE: The Winnetka Historical Society has developed a strong partnership with the elementary schools in Winnetka. In addition to the school district, we have cooperative programming with the Winnetka Park District as well as the Winnetka-Northfield Library.

What are some of the programs that are offered?
JE: We have created programs to enhance the school curriculum coordinating with elementary teachers and educators. For example we’ve had 2nd grade Trolley Tours. This has involved driving around the community stopping at different historic sites including the Log House. Students were greeted by docents who tells them about the story of the house and how it was built. The students are introduced to mid-19th century lifestyles of the North Shore as well as specific facts about the Schmidt family and their community. 4th graders have a similar tour and learn about the Log House and the Schmidt family as well as their immigration experience from the town of Trier, Germany to Winnetka, IL in 1839.

Any future programs and events?
JE: We have pioneer day, as an open house, we give guided tours and bring outside vendors such as a blacksmith, a weaver, musicians and small farm animals. Our volunteers also demonstrate 19th century children’s games, crafts and different housekeeping techniques from those times. We offer different programs throughout the years and hope to expand in the future our offerings. All of this is dependent upon fundraising as the Schmidt-Burnham Log House Museum does not receive any tax dollars from the village, library nor park district.

1140 Willow Road

Winnetka, IL 60093

Currently the Schmidt-Burnham Log House is closed to the public until further notice.