Naperville is home to many great museums and tour services that can transport you into the past, cure your culinary cravings, inspire young minds, or just give you a good scare.
Each of these works is just one of the 40+ pieces of public art that make up Naperville's Century Walk. In 1996, Century Walk began as a public art initiative featuring murals, mosaics, reliefs, mobiles, and sculptures throughout downtown Naperville. Each of the first 30 pieces in some way represents the history of Naperville during the twentieth century through people, places and events. It is a fascinating way to portray the history of Naperville through public art. Several of the last pieces were not limited to historical themes as they expand the body of artwork throughout Naperville.
What makes the Century Walk stand out among public art projects is that the art work embraces the community which it represents, and the community which it represents becomes involved in the pieces of art themselves. As you look upon the faces in the crowd of The Great Concerto at the Community Concert Center in Central Park, do you recognize anyone? Look closely. This was Century Walk's 23rd piece of public art, and the faces of over 56 residents of our community are depicted on this epic work. The inclusion of the faces was part of a fund-raiser by Century Walk to help fund the project. The muralist, Bart Gunderson, spent 1,600 hours creating The Great Concerto. Because of the timelessness of this historic piece, we can delight in finding the faces of our friends, family and neighbors, not only in the crowd during summer concerts, but also in the artwork itself.
LOCATION: 34 W.Chicago Ave., Suite B • Naperville, IL 60540
PHONE: 630-355-5553
WEBSITE: www.centurywalk-artguide.org
LOCATION: 301 N. Washington St. • Naperville, IL 60540
PHONE: 630-637-8000
WEBSITE: www.DupageChildrensMuseum.org
LOCATION: 320 Knock Knolls Rd. • Naperville, IL 60565
PHONE: 630-864-3964
WEBSITE: www.napervilleparks.org/knochknolls
LOCATION: 523 S. Webster St. • Naperville, IL 60540
PHONE: 630-420-6010
WEBSITE: www.napersettlement.org
LOCATION: 508 N. Center St. • Naperville, IL 60563
PHONE: 630-355-2530
WEBSITE: www.napervilleartleague.com
But at 14 stories high - and about 10 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty - the hike to the open-air Observation Deck poses some physical challenge; mental, too, if you're sensitive to heights. The reward, however, is a one-of-a-kind vantage of the city, the Riverwalk and Centennial Beach, and on clear days, the Chicago skyline.
"Moser Tower is designed for everyone to enjoy, and we wholeheartedly encourage the public to come and explore the interior of Naperville's latest downtown jewel regardless of physical limitations," said Brien Nagle, chairman of the Millennium Carillon Foundation.
LOCATION: 443 Aurora Ave. • Naperville, IL 60540
PHONE: 630-848-5000
WEBSITE: www.naperville-carillon.org