Evanston in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Frances E. Willard (1839-1898)
⎯⎯⎯
Woman's Christian Temperance Union

Frances E. Willard (1839-1898) side of marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 12, 2025

1. Frances E. Willard (1839-1898) side of marker

Inscription.
[Front side of marker:]
Frances E. Willard (1839-1898) Frances Willard, a long-time resident of Evanston, was one of the most prominent social reformers of the 19th century and a generating influence in America's long history of social justice and activism. Although best known as the president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), she was a leading activist in many important 19th century reform movements including women's suffrage, women's economic and religious rights, education reform, labor reform, and prison reform. Many things that we commonly take for granted, like women's marriage, property and citizenship rights, had their origins in these movements. Under her leadership, the WCTU increasingly saw its role as an organization advocating for broad social and political change.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Willard called this wide program of reform her "Do Everything" policy. She was also the first Dean of the Woman's College of Northwestern University and President of Alpha Phi Fraternity. The Willard family built this home in 1865 — a National Historic Landmark, it is also part of the WCTU Local Historic District

[Rear side of marker:]
Woman's Christian Temperance Union Historic District The Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) was founded in Cleveland, Ohio in November 1874. It grew out of the Woman's Crusade of the winter of 1873-1874. After listening to a lecture by Dr. Dio Lewis, groups in Fredonia, New York, and Hillsboro, and Washington Court House, Ohio, were moved to engage in nonviolent protests against the dangers of alcohol. Normally quiet homemakers dropped to their knees in prayer at

Woman's Christian Temperance Union side of marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 12, 2025

2. Woman's Christian Temperance Union side of marker

local saloons and demanded that the sale of liquor be stopped. In six months the women had demonstrated in 911 communities, and for the first time understood the power of what could be accomplished by standing together. At the founding meeting in Cleveland, the newly formed WCTU elected Annie Turner Wittenmyer president; Frances E. Willard, corresponding secretary; Mary Johnson, recording secretary; and Mary Ingham, treasurer. Today, the WCTU is the oldest voluntary, non-sectarian woman's organization in continuous existence in the world. The WCTU was a founding member of the National Council for Women (1888) — Frances Willard was its first president — and the International Council of Women (1893). The WCTU was also a charter member of the United Nations Non-Governmental Organizations (1945).

Erected by Women's

Frances E. Willard home and historical marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 12, 2025

3. Frances E. Willard home and historical marker

The home today serves as the Frances Willard House Museum.

Christian Temperance Union.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Religion & Religious Structures • Women. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.

Location. 42° 2.929′ N, 87° 40.72′ W. Marker is in Evanston, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Chicago Avenue north of Church Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is in the front lawn of the Frances Willard home, which today is a museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1730 Chicago Avenue, Evanston IL 60201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Frances E. Willard house image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 12, 2025

4. Frances E. Willard house

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The First House of Worship in Evanston (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Methodist Church of Evanston (about 700 feet away); Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity (approx. 0.2 miles away); David Thomas Hanson (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fountain Square Veterans Memorial Wall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Northwestern University's First Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Chandler's Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); PolioPlus

Frances E. Willard House National Historic Landmark plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 12, 2025

5. Frances E. Willard House National Historic Landmark plaque

(approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Evanston.

More about this marker. The home was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965; a plaque about that honor is attached to the home next to the front door.

A news article about this historical marker could not be immediately identified, but based on Google Street View archived photos it was erected sometime between 2011 and 2015.

Regarding Frances E. Willard (1839-1898) / Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Born in New York State, Frances Willard moved with her family to Ohio as an infant, and then to rural Wisconsin when she was 6 years old. In 1858, she moved with her family to Evanston, the first suburb north of Chicago, and in 1859 she enrolled at North-Western Female College, where she trained to be a teacher.

Frances E. Willard (1839-1898) image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

6. Frances E. Willard (1839-1898)

Frances Willard, the educator, women's suffragist and temperance movement leader, moved to Evanston with her family when she was about 18 years old, attended school at the North-Western Female College in Evanston, was first president of the Evanston College for Ladies, and later served as dean when that school became part of Northwestern Univesrity in 1873. She is one of two people honored by the state of Illinois with a statue in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol.

In 1871, she became the first president of the Evanston College for Ladies, and when that school became part of Northwestern Univesrity in 1873, she became the first dean of women. She resigned a year later amid tensions with Northwestern's president, Charles H. Fowler, to whom she had been engaged about a decade earlier. Soon thereafter, she became instrumental in the creation and growth of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, a movement that would eventually lead to Prohibition as well as play a key early role in women's suffrage. In 1879, Willard became president of the WCTU and became one of the best-known women in the United States; she served as WCTU president until her death of influenza at age 58. Willard was the first woman to be honored with a statue in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol; her statue,

"Residence of Miss Frances Willard" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alexander Hessler; Courtesy of Northwestern University Libraries, 1887

7. "Residence of Miss Frances Willard"

Although the middle of the three women in this 1887 photograph of the Willard House resembles Frances Willard, it's not known for certain whether it's her.

one of two dedicated by Illinois, was erected in 1905.

The Willards built this 1865 home, which Frances and her mother dubbed "Rest Cottage." A later addition was built for Willard's sister-in-law Mary and her children after Willard's brother Oliver died. The home was later bequeathed to the WCTU, and it remains in use today as a museum.

Also see . . .
1. Frances Willard House Museum official site. (Submitted on March 14, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Women’s Hall of Fame: Frances Willard bio. (Submitted on March 14, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
3. Woman’s Christian Temperance Union history. The WCTU's headquarters are at the Willard House in Evanston.

Excerpt: "The WCTU Administration Building in Evanston, Illinois holds WCTU's Library and Archives.
Paid Advertisement

The collection is extensive and is accessible to researchers. Many have come from around the world to learn more about women's history, including their fight for prohibition, the 18th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and the work of the WCTU which gave women the right to vote, 19th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States."

(Submitted on March 14, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 500 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 14, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 6. submitted on July 29, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 7. submitted on May 29, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.

Frances E. Willard (1839-1898)⎯⎯⎯Woman's Christian Temperance Union

Frances E. Willard (1839-1898)
⎯⎯⎯
Woman's Christian Temperance Union