Frances Willard House Museum, Evanston

About Frances Willard House Museum

Frances Willard House Museum, also known as Rest Cottage, is a National Historic Landmark in Evanston where visitors tour the preserved home of the prominent temperance leader and women's rights advocate. The house, built by Frances Willard's father in 1865, contains rooms furnished as they were during her lifetime, including the parlor with its portrait of her sister Mary and shelves lined with books gifted by authors. Visitors hear music from an inlaid music box given to Willard by Lady Henry Somerset, playing hymns her mother loved. The northern half of the double cottage once housed the headquarters of the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Guided tours allow guests to explore this historic residence and learn about Willard's significant contributions to American history. Tours require advance arrangements and the museum publishes admission prices online. The home is located in Evanston, Illinois, about 14 miles north of Chicago.