Nestled in one of Cook County’s richest savannahs, Trailside Museum boasts its historic presence at the Southwest corner of Thatcher and Chicago Avenues in River Forest. Built in 1874, by Abraham J. Hoffman, it was first utilized as a high class finishing school for young ladies. In 1881, it was converted to an institution for young men from broken homes. Hugh McFarlane, a wealthy carriage maker and village trustee, was a subsequent resident. In 1917, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County purchased the building and surrounding land to use as the general headquarters. Finally, in 1931, it was converted to Trailside Museum, the first of its kind in the midwest. The house that was built for educational purposes continues to depict knowledge with displays of native flora and fauna and live animals of the Chicagoland area.

For many years, the museum was the site of Cook County’s wildlife rehabilitation center for orphaned and injured native animals, however, today it no longer rehabilitates animals.