Ellwood House Museum, DeKalb

About Ellwood House Museum

The Ellwood House Museum occupies ten acres of parkland in DeKalb and consists of seven historic structures, including the 1879 Ellwood Mansion and 1900 Ellcourt House. Docent-led tours take visitors through all four floors of the mansion, where original furnishings, art, and architectural details from the late 1800s and early 1900s are on display. The Patience Ellwood Towle Visitor Center, a converted 1912 garage, contains four exhibit galleries documenting the Ellwood family's role in local history and their connection to barbed wire innovation. The property also features four gardens. Tours last approximately 60 to 90 minutes and depart from the Visitor Center. An in-depth tour combines visits to both the mansion and Ellcourt House. The museum grounds permit self-guided exploration and allow leashed pets. Tickets are sold online through the venue's website, and the Visitor Center itself is free to enter.