Ragdale

Ragdale Tours

Ragdale offers docent-led tours from June through October. Ragdale, the nationally acclaimed artists’ residency program, located on the former Arts and Crafts country estate of architect Howard Van Doren Shaw and poet and playwright Francis Wells Shaw, offers tours of the historic Ragdale campus, including Ragdale House, artist studios, and exquisite gardens. Participants will learn about the Shaw family history and the celebrated artist in residence program. Scroll down to make your reservations in advance.

These tours provide a special opportunity to explore the historic campus and experience the workings of an artists residency program. Visitors can experience the seven-acre site which includes three historic homes, several artist studios, gardens, and vistas of the 50-acre Shaw Prairie. The Ragdale House and the Barn House, originally built in 1897, are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as a farmhouse, built in 1838. Tour donations help support the mission of Ragdale. The majority of the Ragdale campus is wheelchair accessible.

Docents

Mary Cook

Sherry Grapes

Marianne Lombard Koy

Marla Schachtel

Ann Shillinglaw

Admission is $15/person. Advance reservations and online payment are required. All public tours take place on Saturdays and are approximately 90 minutes long.

2025 Tour Dates:

June 14th- 10 am

July 12th- 1 pm

August 9th- 10 am and 1 pm

September 27th- 10 am

October 25th- 10 am

Free Parking is available at 1230 N Green Bay Road and guests will gather at the front of Ragdale House at the tour’s designated start time.

Public Tours

Private Tours

For groups of 10 or more. Admission is $20/person. Arrangements and online payment in advance are required to schedule a private tour. All public tours take place on Friday and are approximately 90 minutes long.

2025 Private Tour Dates:

August 8th- 1 pm

August 29th- 1 pm

September 26th- 1 pm

October 17th- 1 pm

Additional dates for private tours can be arranged. Please contact Marita Seaberg at marita@ragdale.org or call 847.234.1063 x 21, to schedule a private tour, with any questions, or for more information.

Free Parking is available at 1230 N Green Bay Road and guests will gather at the front of Ragdale House at the tour’s designated start time.

Ragdale Facility Rental

Ragdale's conference room is available for rental to businesses and organizations. The conference room accommodates up to 22 people at the meeting table. A projector and screen are available. For food service, your caterer must contact Ragdale staff at least one week prior to the event to arrange set-up and take-down times and any other needs and requests. Ragdale can provide a list of area restaurants and caterers. Free parking is available in the Ragdale parking lot at 1230 N Green Bay Rd.—take the short path north to the Ragdale Barnhouse, where the conference room is located.