ellwood house museum

VERY VERY warm in both the mansion and the smaller mansion. No air conditioning, but other than that, our tour guide was VERY knowledgeable and the pace was perfect. Check Groupon for discount tickets.

Wonderful tour with our 4 year old granddaughter. She was allowed to enter the outside play house and so are we. The tour guide, Donna, was so informative and knowledgeable when questions arouse. The grounds were beautiful and we felt like we walked back in time. Would recommend for anyone who enjoys archetecture and history of the region. Slow your place and enjoy this wonderful piece of history.

Went with another couple because we Love to tour these old homes!! To our surprise we not only loved the home and decor but our tour guide was amazing and offered up a world of info on the era!! This is a must see if you are in or around DeKalb, IL

Home of the man who made barbed wire. It would have been fun to live in that era. The docents to an excellent job of describing what it would have been like to live during this time. The museum hosts many activities throughout the year.

Elwood's and barb wire are the history of DeKalb, IL. The fact that the estate has been preserved and you can get tours that take you back 130 years (for Midwesterners that is considerable), makes a visit to Ellwood House a must for out of town visitors wanting to know about the area.

This is a beautiful mansion that was the top of society when it was built. It is restored to it's pristine condition along with the carriage house so you can see what life was like at the turn of the last century in DeKalb. There are many events held here throughout the year also. Give it a try if in town for a few relaxing hours in the way back machine.

The Ellwood house is beautiful anytime, but if you can, visit when it's decorated for Christmas! Transports you to a simpler time. People think we are kidding about the barbed wire museum just behind the mansion, but it really is worth the stop. You don't need to spend all day, but there's an interesting story told!

Traveled back to DeKalb to visit family and had always passed this museum but never stopped. Actually took a tour from the staff. Beautiful grounds, lots to learn about the local history. Information on barbed wire and how it changed the west was very interesting. Lots of information on the town's founding father's.

Great local house museum in DeKalb. Interesting local history. I have also led field trips here, and they have a great educational program.

The home is beautiful! The background of the invention of "Barbed Wire" is fascinating! At the time, it was the single most important invention that "tamed the West".

Take a guided tour, our guide was well versed in the history of the area and interesting architectural features of the home. Great way to get a feel for the development of the area

The guided tour was interesting and entertaining. There is so much to see. I can't wait for a return visit. This is an amazing resource in Dekalb. I only wish the textiles were available to tour at the time.

Spending the weekend in Dekalb is a great opportunity to see this remarkable historic site. We were fortunate to have Ellen as our tour guide as she shared her storytelling of the Ellwood Family and the beautiful home built in the late 1800's. Their lives and accomplishments were part of the tour of the four story home that family memories from three generations are present for your viewing.We reccomend visiting this site when the opportunity arises. Dan & Betsy from Cary, Il.

A local landmark on, we are fortunate this historic home has been so carefully preserved. The house, grounds, and visitor center are located a short walk from downtown DeKalb. It was built by Issac Ellwood, inventor of barbed wire, in the late 1800s.

We happend to be in Dekalb and found this place by chance. The museum is wonderful. The exhibits are first class. The carriages and other vehicles in the museum are worth the trip by themselves. The house is beautiful and contains furnishings from the family. Our tour was conducted by a volunteer who knew a great deal about the house and family. The cost was minimal and AAA discounts apply. We hope to make it back for the Christmas displays.