Top 10 about SHM
1. Where are you located?
1730 N. Main Street –
in the Heron Creek Subdivision
2. What are your hours?
Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 – 3:00
3. Do you accept donations
for your collection?
Yes, we accept photos, artifacts, textiles, and memorabilia if they have a strong connection to Sycamore
4. Do you offer programs for scouts?
Yes, we can schedule a program
for your scout group afterschool
or during an evening.
5. How can I find out
about upcoming events?
Members receive the newsletter with a calendar of events. Information is also available on Facebook and Twitter.
6. How can I become a member?
Membership forms are available
on-line or at the Museum.
7. How much does it cost
to visit the Museum?
Members and children under 14 are free. Adults are $5
Groups of 10+ are $4 per person
8. How can I help?
Volunteers are needed in a
variety of areas. Learn more
9. Can I sponsor an event?
Yes, there are a variety
of sponsorship opportunities.
Call Michelle Donahoe for details
10. Can I rent the Museum
for a special event?
Yes, the outside space is available
for rental.
Call for details
Top 10 about Sycamore
1. When was Sycamore founded?
The village of Sycamore was platted
on May 1839 by Eli Barnes and incorporated as a village in 1858.
2. What was Sycamore’s first name? Why was the name Sycamore chosen for our community’s name?
Orange was Sycamore’s first name.
The name was changed after it was discovered that another town in Illinois already had that name. The name Sycamore was selected because of
all of the Sycamore trees along the Kishwaukee River.
3. What does the name
Kishwaukee mean?
Kishwaukee is the Pottawatomie name for river. Kish – the sound of a swift arrow and Waukee means water.
4. Where was Sycamore’ first log cabin?
The first log cabin in Sycamore
was located north of what is now
307 W. State Street (the current
location of Stomp Shoes). It was the home of Carlos Lattin. A plaque is
by the store’s entrance.
5. Who were some of
Sycamore’s founding families?
Ellwood, Waterman, Mayo, Barnes, Lattin, Walrod, Sixbury, and Holcomb
6. Why is Sycamore the county seat?
Sycamore is the county seat because
it had a larger population compared to DeKalb when the seat was established
in 1839, and it has several people with strong political connections. There have been many battles to move the county seat to DeKalb, but Sycamore has prevailed.
7. What is the oldest
structure in Sycamore?
A portion of the Kellogg house at
232 South Main Street is the oldest residential structure in Sycamore.
It was built in 1842.
8. Why is State Street wider
than other main streets?
State Street was platted with 100 feet wide streets by Eli Barnes – looking forward to a future city, not an insignificant village. Surveyor Eli Barnes and deputy surveyor James Waterman staked out the first plat with plenty of land, giving the town a wide street.
9. Is Sycamore famous for anything?
Sycamore is famous for many things including: the Johnson Reclining Rocker, Marsh Harvester, Turner Brass torches, Seymour spray paint, Ideal Industries, and Pumpkin Festival.
10. Has anyone famous
lived in Sycamore?
Sycamore has had many famous residents: Pat Brady “Rose is a Rose”
a famous cartoonist, Marilyn Thorne –
a singer songwriter, Amanda Meadow – Miss Illinois, and “Cyclone Johnny” Thompson a boxing champion.