Trailside Museum - Forest Preserve District of Cook County
738 Thatcher Avenue , River Forest, IL 60305-1604
Price of admission: free
Website - 708-366-6530
Hours of Operations: Open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., CLOSED on Thursdays,Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day
Keywords: Animals, Aquarium, Fishing, forest preserve, indoor, Nature, outdoor, outdoors, outside, wildlife, Zoo
Nestled in one of Cook County’s richest savannahs, Trailside Museum boasts its historic presence at the Southwest corner of Thatcher and Chicago Avenues in River Forest. Built in 1874, by Abraham J. Hoffman, it was first utilized as a high-class finishing school for young ladies. In 1881, it was converted to an institution for young men from broken homes. Hugh McFarlane, a wealthy carriage maker and village trustee, was a subsequent resident. In 1917, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County purchased the building and surrounding land to use as the general headquarters. Finally, in 1931, it was converted to its present use as Trailside Museum, the first of its kind in the Midwest. The house that was built for educational purposes continues to depict knowledge with displays of native flora and fauna and live animals of the Chicagoland area.
The museum is the site of Cook County’s wildlife rehabilitation center for orphaned and injured native animals. These animals will be cared for until they may be released to natural habitat.
If a wild animal is found in distress, please leave it temporarily, and call Trailside Museum for futher instruction, (708) 366-6530.
Famplosion strives for 100% accuracy in all of our listings. However, we recommend checking with the venue prior to your visit especially for special holiday hours or event schedule changes.
