Historic Attractions

Looking for a Mother’s Day plan that’s a little more "thrilling" than just flowers? Stop by and see one of our most talked-about displays: the actual hats Bonnie and Clyde were wearing during their final standoff in 1934. You can even see the bullet hole in Clyde’s fedora. It’s a wild piece of history to see before or after your Mother's Day dinner! Watch for our special discount coming soon.

Hey moms! Need a special Mother’s Day plan? Come see our amazing Patsy Cline exhibit! Our owner, Wayne, knew her personally, so we have a shelf packed with her actual signed items and personal treasures you won't see anywhere else. It’s the perfect stop after brunch or before dinner. Plus, keep an eye out for a special Mother’s Day discount coming soon! Come make memories with us this weekend.

Step back into the Old West at our Frontier Land exhibit. We are proud to feature two of the most iconic figures in Western history: John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. Come see these legendary cowboys up close and explore the spirit of the American frontier. It is a must-see for any fan of the classic West.

This week marks the anniversary of the fall of the Third Reich. On April 30, 1945, Adolf Hitler’s death signaled the beginning of the end of WWII in Europe. Our museum preserves history through the artifacts left behind. You can see the armored vehicles used by world leaders during this era, offering a sobering look at the technology of the time.

Wednesday Cruise Nights return for 2026! Join us at 13825 Metric Road for the ultimate car lover's hangout. Enjoy food trucks, a live DJ, and rows of incredible rides. Admission is free, with discounted museum entry during the show. 2026 Schedule: May 13 | June 10 | July 8 | Aug 12 (5-8 PM) Sept 9 (4-7 PM) Want to sponsor a night? Visit our site for details. See you on the lot!

A 1976 Cadillac Limo covered in 120,000 hand-shaped coins? It’s real, and it's here. In 1978, the Guinness Book of World Records named this the "World's Costliest Automobile." It features rare coins from around the globe, including a 1,600-year-old Roman piece and a solid silver steering wheel. Four people spent two years building this masterpiece.

Happy Birthday to Ulysses S. Grant! Born on this day in 1822, the General and 18th President had a well-known passion for fast horses and fine carriages. You can celebrate his legacy right here in Roscoe. We are proud to house his original 1865 Studebaker Landau Carriage, along with a collection of personal items and memorabilia. History is waiting for you at the museum! Another Video in the comments: This video provides an up-close look at the specific 1865 Studebaker Landau Carriage mentioned in the post and shares interesting facts about Grant's life and his love for horses.

Experience history at full throttle. Our latest exhibit features the legendary race cars of Dick Trickel and Richard Petty. Get an up-close look at Trickel’s iconic Purple Knight car and the "King" Richard Petty’s classic #43. Whether you’re a lifelong NASCAR fan or just love local history, these machines tell a story of speed and grit. Open today in Roscoe. See you at the museum!

🌸💖 Celebrate Mother’s Day at Historic Attractions! 💖🌸 This Mother’s Day, we’re honoring all the incredible moms out there — young and old — with a special treat just for you! 🌷 👩‍👧‍👦 All mothers receive 50% OFF admission on Mother’s Day! Spend the day making memories together while exploring fascinating exhibits, treasured artifacts, and timeless history. 🏛️ 📅 Mother’s Day- Sunday, May 10th 📍 Historic Attractions Museum – Roscoe, IL Because moms deserve a day filled with wonder and joy. 💝 ✨ We can’t wait to celebrate with you! ✨ Tickets with the discount can be purchased at the front desk once you arrive.

On April 20, 1933, FDR changed American money forever by taking the U.S. off the gold standard to help save the economy. 💵 Want to see the leaders who shaped our nation? Visit our Hall of Presidents! It’s the perfect spot to get up close to the history and people who guided us through the past.

There is nothing quite like the sound of an engine and the smell of a summer BBQ! Our Wednesday Cruise Nights are finally back for 2026, and we want to see your favorite ride on the lot. We are so excited to transform our grounds at 📍 13825 Metric Road, in Roscoe into the best hangout for car lovers in the Stateline. Whether you’re showing off your pride and joy or just want to see some cool rides, it’s a great way to spend a summer evening. We’ll have a DJ playing music, food trucks, and plenty of amazing cars to check out. Mark your calendars for our 2026 dates: May 13th: 5 pm – 8 pm June 10th: 5 pm – 8 pm July 8th: 5 pm – 8 pm August 12th: 5 pm – 8 pm September 9th: 4 pm – 7 pm (Note the earlier start!) It is a FREE public event, and if you want to head inside and explore the museum during the show, we even offer discounted admission! Business Owners: We are also looking for sponsors to help make these nights even bigger. It’s a fun way to get your name out to the hundreds of people who join us each month. Check out our website for all the details on how to partner with us. We can't wait to see you there!

On April 17, 1970, the world held its breath as Apollo 13 finally returned to Earth. What was supposed to be a moon landing turned into a heroic mission of survival. 🚀 Did you know we have a NASA exhibit? You can get up close to real space history and see how these brave explorers lived and worked. It’s the perfect way to feel the tension and triumph of the space race in person. Come visit us this week and see the artifacts that help tell this incredible "successful failure" story! 🌍

Season Tickets are now on sale for $160 Allows 1 Member + 1 Friend https://historicattractionsmuseum.com/product/season-companion-pass/

Did you know Sacajawea was only a teenager when she helped Lewis and Clark explore the Louisiana Territory? She traveled thousands of miles with a nursing baby, acting as a peace symbol and interpreter. Even though she was a hero of the trip, she was never paid for her work! We love sharing these powerful stories at the museum. You can actually see her image on the U.S. golden dollar and learn more about her incredible journey in our exhibits. There is even a big mystery about her—did she pass away at age 24, or live to be 96? Come visit us and dive into the life of one of America’s most famous explorers. History is full of surprises!

This FREE public event is back at Historic Attractions! Come and show off your cool car, enjoy some great food, and listen to groovy music. No show car? No problem! This is great for a date night or the entire family. The museum is open, and a $8 Discount will be given on ALL admissions! Cruise Nights are located at Historic Attractions. 📍13825 Metric Rd. Roscoe, IL. 61073 May 13th, 2025- 5 pm-8 pm June 10th, 2025- 5 pm-8 pm July 8th, 2025- 5 pm-8 pm August 12th, 2025- 5 pm-8 pm

Haunted Rockford is the host for this event and they are selling tickets on their website. https://www.hauntedrockford.com/dead-guy-festival-true.../ This event will feature speakers on serial killers, gangsters, and murder and mayhem. For years, the Dead Guy Festival – True Crime Expo has been one of the premier True Crime events in the Northern Illinois-Southern Wisconsin area. We are very excited to announce the 2026 Dead Guy Festival – True Crime Expo. Every year the festival brings you popular researchers, authors, and speakers.

Today marks a somber moment in American history. On this day in 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was shot at Ford’s Theatre. It was a day that changed our country forever, and here at Historic Attractions, we work hard to keep that story alive so we can all learn from it. Our Lincoln Exhibit gives you a chance to get close to the man behind the legacy. We have a rare collection of personal items that tell his story, from his life in the White House to his final moments. Seeing these pieces in person helps you understand the real people who shaped our nation. When you visit, you can see incredible artifacts like: The Presidential Chair and Lincoln’s personal razor. Deathbed relics, including a coin used in his final moments. Mary Todd Lincoln’s mourning veil and black funeral clothing. Unique items, like handles from his coffin and a documented lock of his hair. History isn’t just something you read about—it’s something you can see and feel. We invite you to come walk through the exhibit and experience these powerful pieces of the past for yourself. We are open and ready to share these amazing stories with you!

Thank you to Eisenhower Middle School for visiting us this week! Ready to take your students on a trip they’ll never forget? At Historic Attractions, we believe history isn’t just a bunch of old dates in a book, it is something we all live every single day. Our goal is to bring those stories to life and get your students talking, asking questions, and thinking about how the past connects to their world today. Our museum is huge, with 86,000 square feet of space to explore. To keep things easy and safe, students tour in groups with their adult chaperones. As you walk through our exhibits, our friendly staff is always available to jump in, answer questions, and share the "wow" moments that make our collection so special. Looking for a little something extra? We offer special presentations designed just for 3rd through 5th graders! These add-ons are a great way to dive deeper into specific topics. Since these are popular, we just ask for at least 30 days' notice before your visit to get everything set up. Whether it’s your first time visiting or an annual tradition, we can't wait to see your school here. Let’s make some history together!

Make sure to check out our gift shop next time you visit!

We have a brand-new reason for you to visit Historic Attractions! We just added the Ice Princess XF58 to our collection. Built in 1987 by Richard Fletcher, this car looks like a spaceship from an old sci-fi movie. It uses the nose of a 1950 Studebaker but turns it into something totally wild. If you have been here before, you need to come back to see this in person. It is 20 feet long and has six wheels—with four of them right in the front! With its giant tailfins and two glass bubble roofs, it is unlike anything else in our museum. First-time visitors, this is the perfect time to join us. Inside, the car is just as cool, with bright red and gold seats and a shifter topped with a skull. It’s a mix of a classic hot rod and a futuristic dream. Whether you love cars or just want to see something amazing, come check out the Ice Princess today!

Thank you for supporting us for 25 years! Here is a message from our owner, Wayne Lensing.

We are thrilled to welcome Dylan Hallman from Mechanical Music Parade to the museum! Dylan is here today to showcase a spectacular new mechanical antique we’ve partnered with him to bring to our collection. He’s also giving us a special look at another upcoming display piece and sharing the fascinating history behind these self-playing wonders. Come say hi and learn from a true expert in vintage orchestrions and band organs!

We still have a few of these left! Our first 50 guests today are getting an amazing Historic Attractions swag bag!

We are officially 4 days away from throwing the doors open on April 1st. Today, we’re talking about the legends of the big screen in our Super Heroes & Movie Cars exhibit! Ever wanted to stand next to the actual Batmobile? Or how about the time-traveling DeLorean from Back to the Future? We even have the Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters and the Flintstones car on display. These aren't just props; they are masterpieces of engineering that helped define Hollywood history.

5 Days Away! Today, I want to pull you back to one of the most intense exhibits, Gangster Land. It’s the real, gritty history of the 1920s and 30s. We’ve got artifacts here that actually saw the action, like: 💥 John Dillinger’s 1932 Studebaker – used in a real Indiana bank robbery. 🧥 Dillinger's Bulletproof Vest – a chilling look at how these outlaws operated. 👒 Bonnie & Clyde’s Death Hats – the actual hats they were wearing on that final day in 1934. It’s one thing to read about these names in history books, but standing a few feet away from the cars they used to outrun the law is a whole different feeling. Ready to visit? Opening Day is April 1st! Get Tickets: Skip the line and grab yours online now. Join Wayne: Don’t forget the 25th Anniversary Dinner—it’s the best way to hear the "inside stories" behind these artifacts.

6 Days Until Opening Day! Today’s highlight is all about pure power. Have you seen Bigfoot & Large Speed Boats? 👀 It’s one thing to see the legendary Bigfoot monster truck on TV, but standing next to those massive tires in person is a total game-changer. Right alongside it, we have high-speed hydroplanes and classic racing boats that dominated the water for decades. Reopening April 1st! Tickets are available now online. Also, join us for the 25th Anniversary Dinner. Wayne will be hosting an exclusive night of stories. Grab your spot before they’re gone!

That high-octane energy is coming back to Roscoe in just 7 days! Let's take a look at the Illinois Stock Car Hall of Fame. If you have a passion for local racing history and the machines that built the sport, this is an exhibit you can’t skip. Illinois has a legendary racing culture, and this exhibit preserves the stories of the drivers, teams, and fans who made it iconic. Here is what you can expect to see when we reopen on April 1st. We have the classic 1940s Ford Coupes and 1950s models to more modern speedsters; you can see the evolution of the cars that tore up tracks like Soldier Field. We have glass cases packed with vintage racing jackets, original trophies, race programs, and driver uniforms that take you right back to the glory days at the track. Planning your visit! Opening Day: April 1st! 🎟️ Skip the line: Tickets are available now on our website. Join the Celebration: Don’t forget to grab your tickets for the 25th Anniversary Dinner with Wayne to celebrate a quarter-century of history!

Have you heard the story of Miss Belvedere? We are officially 13 days away from Opening Day here at Historic Attractions! We reopen our doors on April 1st, and we can’t wait to welcome you back for our 25th Anniversary season. Today, we’re highlighting an exhibit that truly proves history isn't always polished and shiny—sometimes, it’s a bit rusty and full of mystery. Back in 1957, a brand-new Gold and White Plymouth Belvedere was buried in a concrete time capsule in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The plan was to dig her up 50 years later to celebrate the city’s bicentennial. Everyone imagined she’d emerge looking like she just rolled off the showroom floor. But when they finally opened the vault in 2007... nature had other plans. Water had filled the tomb, leaving Miss Belvedere with a weathered, rusted, and hauntingly beautiful look that tells a much deeper story about time and the elements. She is a must-see piece of automotive history, and you can see her right here in person starting April 1st! 🎟️ Tickets are available now! Grab yours online to beat the rush. 🍽️ 25th Anniversary Dinner! Join us for a special dinner with our owner, Wayne. Tickets for this exclusive event are moving fast! See you in 13 days! 🏁

The Countdown Begins: 15 Days Until We Open Including today, we are officially 15 days away from opening our doors, and the excitement is really starting to build here. Over the next 15 days, we’ll be highlighting our Top 15 Exhibits, giving you a closer look at some of the incredible history, stories, and artifacts waiting for you inside. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for upcoming videos and photos as we count down together—we can’t wait to welcome you on April 1st. We’re kicking things off with one of our fan favorites. The Stock Cars Exhibit. This exhibit features legendary race cars once driven by icons like Dick Trickle and Richard Petty, showcasing the machines that made motorsports history. If you love speed, racing, or American motorsports tradition, this is one you won’t want to miss. https://historicattractionsmuseum.com/tickets/

We’re Celebrating 25 Years of History! Join us on SATURDAY, April 11, from 5:00–9:00 PM as Historic Attractions celebrates its 25th Anniversary with a special dinner event you won’t want to miss! Spend the evening hearing stories from our owner and director as they reflect on the past 25 years of preserving history—and share exciting plans for the future. Enjoy a delicious dinner, explore the museum after hours, and celebrate this milestone with fellow history lovers and supporters. 🎟 Tickets are on sale now! ✨ Regular Tickets include dinner and after-hours admission to the museum. ⭐ VIP Tickets include dinner plus a commemorative Historic Attractions Merchandise Bag featuring a t-shirt, key chain, magnet, wine glass or coffee mug, and a complimentary ticket to return and visit the museum again! This is a once-in-a-quarter-century celebration, and we’d love for you to be part of it. 📅 April 11 | 5–9 PM 🎟️ Get your tickets today—quantities are limited! 👉 https://historicattractionsmuseum.com/.../25th.../

A Little Piece of Graceland in Roscoe This week, back in 1957, a 22-year-old Elvis Presley put down a deposit on a little place called Graceland. He was just looking for a quiet spot for his family to escape the spotlight, but he ended up creating one of the most famous homes in the world. Here at the museum you can really feel that connection to The King. We’ve been spending a lot of time lately getting our Elvis and Famous Icons exhibit ready for you all. One of my favorite pieces we have on the floor is his 1972 Lincoln Mark IV. There’s just something special about standing next to the actual car Elvis drove. Between his personal wardrobe and those iconic glasses, it really brings the man behind the music to life. Mark your calendars because our Grand Opening is April 1st! It’s our 25th Anniversary year, and we can’t wait to welcome you back through the doors to celebrate with us.

🎉 Grand Reopening Celebration Historic Attractions Museum 📅 Date: April 1, 2026 ⏰ Time: Doors open at 10:00 AM 📍 Location: Historic Attractions Museum, Roscoe, IL Historic Attractions Museum is thrilled to welcome guests back for our Grand Reopening! Join us as we kick off a brand-new season filled with history, artifacts, and interactive fun for all ages. Also, help kick off our celebration for our 25th Anniversary Season! ✨ Grand Reopening Highlights: Exclusive Membership Discounts Special savings available on 2026 & 2027 museum memberships — available this day only! Prize Bags for Early Arrivals The first 50 guests through the doors will receive a special prize bag. Museum-Wide Scavenger Hunt Explore the exhibits while participating in a fun scavenger hunt throughout the museum — perfect for families, kids, and history lovers. Explore Updated & Classic Exhibits Discover returning favorites and refreshed displays as we celebrate the start of another exciting season. 🎈 This event is open to the public and is a perfect way to celebrate spring, history, and the reopening of one of Roscoe’s favorite attractions. 📣 Tip: Arrive early to snag a prize bag and be first to explore the museum!

I’m currently in the middle of filming a brand-new video for all of you! I wanted to get in front of the camera to share some updates and give you a closer look at what we’ve been working on behind closed doors. Keep an eye on our page, we’ll be dropping that video very soon. While the museum is closed at the moment, we are working hard to make sure everything is perfect for our grand reopening on April 1st. I can't wait to see the halls filled with visitors again! LINK BELOW: https://historicattractionsmuseum.com/event/25th-anniversary-dinner-april-11th/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPweC5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFpSXU1ZXhrVjJvTHk5RWdkc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvbDuBQD2mkY7slqrs5bvQsvfZHSis_bmEfG3HjDw3jS9BAEIUedsszXpFUy_aem_oVLIE2uRWV46_4dTXYY8Ww