The Applebee House was originally built in 1855 as an L shaped log cabin by the Appebee family. The Applebees came to Barrington on a covered wagon in 1838, settling their farm on Sutton Road, and planned to retire here. In 1888 the house was burned down and rebuilt in that very same year. Three families: the Applebees, Wisemans, and Holtzees lived in this house up until 1924. The style is atypical of Barrington at that time. Its style is eclectic. The house is built on top of its original foundation which still visible from the basement. The side entrance is built for easy horse and carriage dismount. Today it houses our dress collection as well as many pieces from daily rural life around the turn of the century.
This Folk Victorian house was built in 1898 for Mrs. Patrick Donlea who moved here from the countryside after the death of her husband. She lived in this house until 1942, when it was sold to Henry and Ruth Kincaid. The Historical Society acquired it in 1987. This house is an excellent example of the late Victorian period's vernacular architectural style which was typical of the Barrington Area. Today, it houses our Jewel Tea company collection complete with old Jewel products and the largest Autumn Leaf china collection in the country.
The exhibit center, also known as Old Barrington Center, is where the Barrington History Museum houses most of the exhibits. Currently we have the Doll Exhibit, the Tolpo Art Exhibit, the Miller Grove exhibit, the Native American exhibit, the McGinley Exhibit, Legion Baseball, Plum Tree Farm, and Old Barrington exhibit.
To make an appointment or put in a request for information, please call during the hours we are open.
In 1999, the original Wichman Blacksmith Shop dating back to 1929 was moved from its original location on Station Street in downtown Barrington to the grounds of the Barrington History Museum, located behind the Donlea-Kincaid House. The Creet Carriage Barn, a forge, and a lobby area were added to the Blacksmith Shop to create a historical streetscape.
The schoolhouse building was originally the summer kitchen of the Applebee House. It served as a temporary schoolhouse for a short time. It was refurbished with thick slate blackboards from a different schoolhouse to represent its iconic 1870-1900 vintage. The museum added a bell cupola for a school bell, salvaged from the Lageschulte School at the northwest corner of Dundee and Barrington Roads. The benches are from 3 different eras from 1900 to about 1940. In the corner there is a teacher's contract from DuPage county dated 1914; paid 16.50 a month for a 9 1/2 year school term.
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