Prairie House Museum and Nature Center

Franzosenbusch Heritage Project Home

Upon completion the Prairie House and Nature Center will serve several functions:

A gathering place for prairie tours, lectures, programs, classes and events with a meeting room available for use by conservation, scientific, historic, cultural, youth and civic organizations.

An educational facility for students, teachers and the general public including prairie tours, natural history, botany, biology, ecology and native ecosystem restoration programs.

An authentic replication of the first Lutheran schoolhouse in Proviso Township.

There is also information on histories of the early days of this German farming community and of the villages of Westchester / Hillside area will be featured.

The Prairie House Gardens present a colorful blend of native plants and formal designs.

A place to celebrate special occasions and join in ceremonies, performances, art exhibits and historical re-enactments.

A time capsule of 19th Century lifestyles and cultures only a moment away from the sights and sounds of the 21st Century.

I
                           F

                                                         E        F

C

                           A           B        D

G

H

The interior public areas of the Franzosenbusch Prairie House and Nature Center include:

(A & B) Significant areas of the 1853 schoolhouse (the area in light blue) remain as a part of the Prairie House. The public can observe the schoolhouse interior of the restored schoolroom and teacher’s quarters with appropriate artifacts and furnishings as is was when used by the German Lutheran community of Franzosenbusch. The schoolhouse had two rooms:
A) The school room where up to 15 students were taught in German.

B) The teacher's quarters where the teacher and his family lived. A "loft" above this area was padded with hay and served as the sleeping area for the teacher's children.

(C) The schoolhouse viewing area from which visitors can observe the schoolroom and teacher’s quarters. From this area you can see both rooms of the schoolhouse.

(D) The main nature display gallery which will help the public understand the environment of the Wolf Road Prairie Nature Preserve.

(E) The activity room where adults and children can work on educational projects and enjoy the view through the large windows.

Grounds of the Franzosenbusch Prairie House and Nature Center include:

(F) The wraparound observation deck from which the public can relax and observe the life on the prairie.

(G) The porch serves as a public gathering place.

(H) The front gardens contain a mix of native prairie plants and selected non-invasive species.

(I) The northern gateway to the prairie walks of Wolf Road Prairie..

Parking will be in the existing parking spots to the west of the House on the south side of Constitution Drive.

Displays for both the schoolhouse and the nature center are under development. We hope to expand and enhance these displays each year upon completion of the historically sensitive renovation and construction.

Last Modified: 03/02/2017