HERITAGE GALLERY:
A Pop of Local Flavor- The Sweet Story of Arlington Club - Come explore the story of soda pop in Arlington Heights, which started 145 years ago! Follow the growth of production through the story of F.W. Muller, the man behind what we now know of as the Arlington Club Beverage Company. Learn about how the introduction and creation of this fizzy drink had a large impact on Arlington Heights and the Chicago area. After viewing the exhibit, be sure to stop by our gift shop and pick up your own soda to take home and taste!
Tours are given every Saturday at 10:30am and 2:30pm by Arlington Heights Historical Society volunteer tour guides. They are $5 for adults, $3 for kids and free to members. Meet in the Heritage Gallery (110 W Fremont) to purchase and begin your tour. Tours go through the five historical buildings on campus: F. W. Müller Home (1882), coach house (c. 1880), Old Soda Pop Factory (1906), Banta Home (1908) & replica log house (c.1830). You can sign up for tours HERE.
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COACH HOUSE:
- BOEGER CARPENTRY SHOP - a recreated circa 1874 carpentry shop with authentic woodworking machinery.
- BLACKSMITH SHOP - a recreated setting of the town smithy, one of the most important businesses to the early growth of the village of Arlington Heights.
- ARLINGTON HEIGHTS DIORAMAS - dioramas of the local area before European settlement, the first school, the train coming to town, the growth of the village, ice harvesting, and the first library.
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LOG CABIN
- A replica 1830s log cabin representing the homes of early settlers in the groves of Northeastern Illinois. Family activity centered around the hearth in this one room home.
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MÜLLER HOUSE
- A Victorian period house circa 1890s. The home features a restored parlor, office, kitchen, dining room, and bedrooms. Was the home of F.W. Müller and his family. Müller was a German immigrant and operated a soda pop factory in Arlington Heights.
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BANTA HOUSE
- An Arts and Crafts house designed by Elgin architect Ralph Elliot Abell and built in 1908. Home of Wilhelmina Müller Banta and Nathaniel Moore Banta. Home has a restored living and dining room and is furnished with arts and crafts style furniture.
- MARTHA MILLS DOLL COLLECTION - Collection of over 1000 dolls ranging from modern to antique, cloth to porcelain, miniature to 36". Dolls were made and collected by Martha Mills, a resident of Arlington Heights. This exhibit changes twice a year.
- LORRAINE KORENTHAL DOLLHOUSE COLLECTION - Collection of three dollhouses and miniatures. Dollhouses and miniatures were collected by Jack and Lorraine Korenthal of Arlington Heights.