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Slovenian Women's Union of America

Museum
In Joliet, Illinois
On Route 66

Founded as the Slovenian Women's Union and now called the Slovenian Union of America, this is a fraternal and heritage organization headquartered in Joliet, IL, close to the Route 66 corridor. Created in 1926 to speak up for Slovenian women living in America, it now keeps Slovenian traditions, language and culture alive, and its Joliet home doubles as a museum. It offers Route 66 travelers a glimpse of the immigrant communities that shaped Joliet.

What is Slovenian Women's Union of America?

The organization is an ethnic fraternal benefit society serving people from Slovenia and their families across the country, and its Joliet headquarters includes museum space. Its focus today is cultural: preserving the customs, language and heritage that families brought from Slovenia. It also publishes a magazine called Zarja, which means The Dawn.

History of Slovenian Women's Union of America

The society began in 1926 under the Slovene name Slovenska ženska zveza Amerike, which translates as the Slovenian Women's Union. Its first mission was advocacy for Slovenian women living in the United States. In 2011 it became a nonprofit and adopted its current name, the Slovenian Union of America.

Visiting Slovenian Women's Union of America: tips

Allow 30 minutes to an hour. Restrooms are on site, the building is listed as wheelchair accessible, and children are welcome. It sits on North Chicago Street, near the Joliet YMCA building, about 0.2 miles away, and the Joliet Area Historical Museum, about 0.3 miles away.

Practical info

Address: 431 N Chicago St, Joliet, IL 60432
Phone: +1 815-727-1926
Website: slovenianunion.org/museum
Hours: We have no opening hours for this stop yet — check the official site.
On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

Where to eat near Slovenian Women's Union of America

All diners →

Diner & restaurant
Rich & Creamy
Joliet, IL · 0.7 mi from Slovenian Women's Union of America
A Joliet ice cream stand on old Route 66 with the Blues Brothers dancing on its roof.