Constructed in 1923, our building housed the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department from 1924 to 1984. The building was then leased to the Niles Historical Society who moved here in March 1985. Today the building is one of the oldest municipal structures in Niles and a local landmark. The exhibit features photographs, documents, and artifacts commemorating its longtime tenants; the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department and the Niles Historical Society.

Have you ever wondered what it was like growing up in Niles? Maybe you did grow up here!

This exhibit goes through the history of Niles parks, schools, and youth activities while featuring toys from 1899 (when the Village was founded) until the 1990s.

This section of the exhibit will focus on when the Niles Historical Society moved in and how they used our museum building.

Opens Summer 2025

Currently in development, this exhibit will show artifacts about Golf Mill Mall, including the anchor stores and Mill Run Theater.

If you have any photos or objects from Sears, Woolworth, or other Golf Mill Stores, please consider donating or loaning it to us for this exhibit. Contact our curator, Brianna, at ban@vniles.com if you have questions or donations.

Opens Winter 2025

Tam O’Shanter: Niles’s Link to World Championship Golf

at the Niles Senior Center, 999 Civic Center Drive

March 5, 2025-August 31, 2025

Growing Up in Niles

at the Niles-Maine District Library, 6960 W Oakton St

See toys and books from decades past and how they connect to the history of Niles.

April 1 -April 30, 2025

Niles Drugstores

Opens September 2025 at the Niles Senior Center.

If you have any photos, objects, receipts, or letterhead from a Niles pharmacy or drugstore, consider donating or loaning it to us for this exhibit. Please contact our curator, Brianna, at ban@vniles.com if you have questions or donations.