104 S. 5th Ave., Maywood, IL 60153
(708) 343-3554
The West Town Museum of Cultural History was established to preserve and celebrate the rich history of Maywood and Proviso Township, particularly the Black experience in the region. Its origins trace back to 1968 when George E. Stone founded Operation UpLift, a nonprofit dedicated to job training and affirmative action programs for minorities. After his passing, his wife, Northica Stone, worked with Operation UpLift’s board to create the museum, seeking to preserve George Stone’s legacy and uncover lost local histories. Residents contributed artifacts, photographs, and textiles, creating a compelling narrative of the community’s heritage. As Maywood’s first public museum, it honors the area’s legacy while presenting an honest account of American history, featuring exhibits such as slave manacles and photographs of the first African-American homeowners in Maywood.