Elmhurst Heritage Foundation pledges full support for museum programs as council reviews 2026 budget

Jean Baker, president of the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation, told the Elmhurst City Council committee of the whole on Oct. 20 that the foundation will again underwrite most museum programming and help close budget shortfalls as the city reviews its 2026 budget.

Baker said the foundation, a nonprofit fundraising arm supporting the Elmhurst History Museum and the Churchill One-Room Schoolhouse, has “membership now stands well over 300 members” and provided grant support that covered “100% of the costs associated with 3 exhibits, as well as all of the museum's educational programs and events for 2024.” She asked the council to note that the foundation intends to underwrite exhibits and programming in 2026 and to support new direct-mail outreach tied to upcoming exhibits.

The council’s presentation materials show two museum budget line items that prompted questions: a building-maintenance account and an education-programming line that is higher than last year. Dave Oberg, the museum director, said the proposed budget is based on existing staffing and highlighted two specific maintenance needs: a leaking roof above the curator of collections office and replacement of worn gallery carpeting. “That’s where our collections records are,” Oberg said of the office over which the roof leaks, explaining the urgency to fix it to protect artifact storage and intake work.

Why it matters: the foundation’s grant reduces the net cost to the city and supports programs that draw residents and visitors to Elmhurst. Council members praised the foundation, but several aldermen asked for additional detail before final budget approval. Alderman Graham and others requested circle‑back visits to inspect the roof and carpeting and to verify whether each line item is essential or a “nice to have.” Alderman Hill asked for more detail on consultant fees paid through foundation‑supported grants; Oberg said consultant work supports fundraising and sponsorship efforts tied to the foundation’s development work.

Council members also asked about the museum’s storage and collections management. Oberg said the museum has completed two formal deaccession reviews and retains material that “genuinely tells a local story.” He described the off‑site high‑density storage location used to house the bulk of the collections.

Looking ahead, Baker and Oberg outlined exhibit and program plans for 2026, including a Smithsonian loan exhibit and a summer concert series at the museum’s new performance space; the foundation confirmed it will underwrite educational programming and direct‑mail pieces tied to three exhibits. The foundation also reminded council members about community events it supports, including the Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest (planned for Sept. 19, 2026) and transportation grants for Elmhurst District 205 school field trips.

The committee did not take a formal vote on museum funding at the meeting; members asked staff to circle back with more detail on selected line items and condition assessments.