The House

The Humphrey House was built in 1881 and is considered to be a National style, four-over-four residential building. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. It is the second home built in downtown Orland Park.

After John Humphrey passed away in 1914, his second wife, Ida, resided in the home. Following her death in 1953, her son, John, took over the residence, living there sporadically due to his constant travels for theatre and enjoyment.

John was a great supporter of historic preservation, understanding the need to preserve local history. Following his death in 1987, the Humphrey House was willed to the Orland Historical Society, who later turned the home into a museum.

On the first floor of the home, visitors will see a parlor, dining room, and office. The second floor has three bedrooms and an office for staff use with storage. The rooms are furnished with many of the Humphrey family’s items, including original china, books, textiles, and large furniture pieces.

The home also features original hardware, including door hinges and knobs, and the paint colors of the 2nd story walls are close to the originals. These colors were based off of a scientific paint analysis, using the home’s original plaster, by a historic preservation company hired by the Orland Historical Society.

The Humphrey property has a garage, which was the original site of the family’s barn, an outhouse, and a stone building used to store gasoline for farm implements. The stone structure was originally located on the north end of the Humphrey property but was later moved to its current site.

In December 2021, the Orland Historical Society and Village of Orland Park Board of Trustees approved a Transfer of Assets Agreement, which transferred ownership of the house, its property and collection of artifacts to the Village. This acquisition will allow the Village to provide more access to the home and its variety of historical resources.

The Man

In 1848, John Humphrey migrated from Wisbech, Cambridgshire England to America with his mother Mary, brother Thomas, stepsister Susannah, and stepbrother Matthew. They arrived via the ship Immigrant. Soon after their arrival, they settled in Orland.

The family settled along present-day 94th Avenue and became farmers. However, John did not want to continue this agricultural path. He began to pursue political and legal careers in 1870, being elected to the Illinois Legislature and beginning his studies in law. In 1874, he was admitted to the bar and began his practice in Chicago. From 1886 to 1910, John was elected State Senator of the 7th District.

John also participated in local politics, becoming Supervisor and Treasurer of Orland Township. In 1892, he became the first Village President of the newly incorporated Village of Orland Park.

Besides a life of politics and law, John Humphrey was a family man. He wed his first wife, Amelia Patrick, in 1863. They had seven children, three of which survived into adulthood- Clara, Maude and Wirt. After the passing of his first wife, John married Ida Stuart in 1898 and had one son, John.

The Humphrey family made many travels, one of them being to England to visit relatives. John made his final trip in 1914 and fell ill. After arriving home, he passed away. The family is buried at Orland Memorial Park Cemetery.