Art, History

Art, University

The NIU Art Museum balances the challenges of contemporary art with the riches of traditional visual art for an eye-opening look at culture. We show rotating exhibitions from the university collections, thematic contemporary exhibitions of the work of regional and national artists, and national traveling exhibitions.

Art, History

Estate of Isaac Ellwood, principal manufacturer of barbed wire. Museum offers guided tours of the 30-room Ellwood mansion with restored interiors with original furnishings spanning the decades 1880s-1920s. Large visitor center with exhibit galleries including the carriage gallery and "Fencing Frontiers: The Barbed Wire Story"; yearly special exhibits.

Guided tours offered at 1PM and 3PM Tuesday-Friday and 1PM, 2PM and 3PM Saturday-Sunday. Visitor Center open noon-4:30PM Tuesday thru Sunday.

Museum sponsors variety of educational programs for children and adults; "Art at Ellwood" Art Fair in July; Holiday Event in December.