Naper Settlement hosts a free Presidents Day celebration, exhibit opening

Naper Settlement will host a free Presidents Day Celebration on Monday, Feb. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026.

Visitors are invited to experience 250-themed historical activities, crafts, living history demonstrations, and the opening of “We the People: Naperville and the American Story,” a new interactive exhibit that connects Naperville’s history to the Semiquincentennial through thought-provoking local stories, rarely seen artifacts, and a series of new hands-on learning experiences.

The Presidents Day Celebration is one of over 30 educational programs included in the museum’s year-long, USA 250 Celebration.

Other USA 250 Celebration programs include teacher workshops, escape rooms, lectures, and more. To see a full list of programs and to register for the museum’s Presidents Day Celebration, visit NaperSettlement.org/250Celebration.

All activities and attractions are free with registration and will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

• Be the first to experience “We the People: Naperville and the American Story” exhibit.

• Join George Washington’s spy network, The Culper Ring, and learn the techniques and tools used to spy on British troops during the Revolutionary War. Activities take place on the half-hour.

• Experience the Declaration of Independence read aloud by the 16th Artillery. Performances take place on the hour.

• Discover electricity like Benjamin Franklin with a fun, hands-on Electroscopes activity.

• Create your own crafts to take home including a patriotic pinwheel.

• Join us for Illinois Humanities’ “Community Conversations: History Belongs to All of Us” and explore the founding of the United States through the lens of local history. This facilitated conversation will encourage shared conversation, learning, and connection through the exploration of the Declaration of Independence from 10:30 a.m. to noon

• Experience living history demonstrations in the Blacksmith Shop, Print Shop, Copenhagen Schoolhouse, and more!

• Take a tour of the Martin family’s Victorian mansion and discover how Caroline Martin Mitchell made a lasting impact on Naperville. Tours are on the half-hour from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.