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Trailside Museum of Natural History
Trailside’s Birdhouse Contest Now Open
The purpose of this contest is to highlight the need for nesting sites for birds and showcase your creative building skills. Houses will be built by registered participants, displayed throughout the summer and voted on by visitors. Prizes will be awarded. Houses due by May 23, 2018. Learn more >
Established in 1931, the Hal Tyrrell Trailside Museum of Natural History served as the first public nature education facility of the Forest Preserves of Cook County.
Visitors to the Museum, housed in a historic mid-1870′s Victorian mansion, will discover displays of live native animals, colorful wildflower gardens, information about local wildlife and their habitats, and more.
Natural-surfaced hiking trails through the surrounding Forest Preserve wind through beautiful oak woodlands and floodplain forest, and to a pond and along the Des Plaines River.
Trailside Museum is child-friendly, and offers a wide variety of public nature programs and guided hikes every month, for children, families and adults. School groups and organizations are welcome to make reservations to visit, and will receive a customized tour with a naturalist.
Trailside Museum is located at the western edge of suburban River Forest, and is easily reached by foot, bicycle, car, or public transportation.
Upcoming Events
Events List Navigation
April 2018
May 2018
July 2018
+ Export Events
Sun, Apr 22 • 1 PM
Free
Guided Spring Nature Hikes
Sat, Apr 28 • 10 AM
Free
Photo Meet-up Hike in Thatcher Woods
Wed, May 9 • 10 AM
Free
Nature Tots
Fri, May 11 • 3 PM
Free
River Kayaking 101
Sat, May 12 • 1 PM
Free
Guided Spring Nature Hikes
Sun, May 13 • 1 PM
Free
Makin’ Music Bluegrass Jam
Thu, May 17 • 7 PM
Free
Nature Book Club: Genius of Birds
Thu, May 24 • 6 PM
Free
Kayak 101
Sun, May 27 • 1 PM
Free
Guided Spring Nature Hikes
Wed, Jul 11 - Thu, Jul 12 • 9 AM
$20
Fishing Fun Day Camp
