The Frances Willard House Museum

A National Historic Landmark in Evanston, Illinois

The Frances Willard House Museum

The Frances Willard Historical Association--a 501(c)(3) nonprofit--invites you to visit the Frances Willard House, Willard's home from its construction in 1865 until her death in 1898. Frances Willard lived and worked here during the years of her presidency of the WCTU, and for many of those years the house served not only as her primary workplace, but also as an informal national headquarters for the WCTU and a boarding house for WCTU workers. The Frances Willard House tells the story of Frances Willard's life and work and provides a unique glimpse into the life of one of the most prominent women of her time.

Frances E. Willard 

Frances E. Willard (1839-1898) was one of the most prominent social reformers in 19th century America. As president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union from 1879 to 1898, Willard rallied support for temperance as well as many other important reform movements including woman's suffrage, women's economic and religious rights, prison reforms, education reforms and labor reforms. A well-known author and public speaker, Willard captivated the imaginations and mobilized the sentiments of countless women. Under her leadership, the WCTU grew to be one of the largest organizations of women in the 19th century and spread its movement worldwide.

The Frances Willard Historical Association

The Frances Willard Historical Association preserves and interprets the Frances Willard House Museum and its historic collections to promote vibrant discussion of Willard's life and her work on behalf of women, temperance and human rights. The Association works to inspire and encourage everyone to exercise civic leadership as Willard's lasting legacy.  Educational uses of the Frances Willard House Museum, its grounds, and the Memorial Library and Archives benefit a local and global community of visitors, educators, and scholars.

The FWHA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization.

Willard in her Den (A Classic Town: The Story of Evanston, p. 384)


The Newly Restored Den Today.

The Frances Willard Historical Association
1730 Chicago Avenue
Evanston, Illinois 60201
(847) 328-7500
info@franceswillardhouse.org
House Museum: Open for tours on the first and third Sunday of each month from 1-4 p.m., or by appointment.

Library and Archives: Open by appointment.