About Us
At the Plainfield Historical Society, you can explore authentic artifacts, rare photographs, detailed maps, and personal documents that capture the growth and transformation of Plainfield and the surrounding area. Learn about the local industries, schools, cultural traditions, and pivotal events that contributed to the town’s identity.
With special exhibits, guided tours, and community programs offered throughout the year, there is always something new to discover. Come see how Plainfield’s past continues to inform and inspire its future—and your place within it.
The Plainfield Historical Society Preserving the Past. Inspiring the Future.
At the Plainfield Historical Society, we are committed to preserving the vibrant history of Plainfield, Illinois, and sharing it with current and future generations. Through thoughtfully curated exhibits, educational programs, and community events, we bring to life the people, places, and pivotal moments that have shaped our village.
Whether you’re a longtime resident or a first-time visitor, we invite you to explore Plainfield’s past—and discover how it continues to inspire the future.
Our Mission
The Plainfield Historical Society seeks to preserve those artifacts that represent the unfolding story of the Plainfield, Illinois area so that our heritage continues to be relevant to and embraced by present and future generations.
Our Vision
To engage the Plainfield community and other interested persons in our quest to document, collect, and interpret our past with integrity and professionalism while inspiring and educating the broadest possible audience through state-of-the-art facilities
Our Core Values
Honesty, Integrity, Life-long Learning, and Stewardship.
History of the Plainfield Historical Society
The Plainfield Historical Society is a volunteer-based organization, formed in 1977 to collect and preserve historical artifacts and stories of the Plainfield area. The Society maintains connections with state and national preservation, museum, and historical organizations. In 1985, the Society established a museum in the former Village Hall (built ca. 1890). Leased from the Village of Plainfield for just $1, annually, our first museum served the community until 1989, when the building was scheduled to be demolished. From 1989 to 2025, the Plainfield Historical Society’s Main Street Museum was located in the former Plainfield Grain Company office and scalehouse on Main Street (Illinois Route 126 / Historic U.S. Route 66).
Currently, the Society manages 4 historic properties, including the Wheatland Plowing Match Memorial Site that commemorates a local, century-long agricultural fair and competition (1877-1976) and the Turner-Mottinger House at Quality Hill that is associated with the Underground Railroad, local Abolitionists, and enslaved freedom-seekers. The Society also maintains a display case in the Plainfield Village Hall Lobby that features changing historical displays. Interested individuals are encouraged to follow the Society on Facebook and may access the Society’s website: www.plainfieldhistoricalsociety.org
All area residents are invited to attend program meetings, held throughout the year, that highlight historical themes related to Plainfield. Admission to some events may require advance registration and a nominal participation fee (reduced for members). A newsletter, The Messenger, is distributed throughout the year and is available online. A volunteer Board of Directors is elected by the membership, annually in July, and meets monthly to manage the Society’s activities. The Plainfield Historical Society, a non-profit, charitable 501(c)3 organization, is grateful for gifts, artifacts, donations, endowments, and grants that have allowed the Society to continue to preserve the history and stories of the Plainfield, Illinois area.
Current Board Members
- President: Michael Lambert
- Vice President: John Dixon
- Secretary: Sue Hasenyager
- Treasurer: Jeanne Annis
- Trustee-at-Large: Madison Basso
- Trustee-at-Large: Jerry Pennington