Vintage Purse Museum, NFP

Coming in 2024

Manteno, Illinois

The Vintage Purse Museum is a non-profit charity that provides a workplace for special needs adults; a fresh, unique international vintage museum.

Exhibits include thousands of vintage fashion including purses, dresses, hats, and shoes, along with nostalgic comic book, Barbie and World War II exhibits.

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our exhibits

A diverse collection of exhibitions, including a collection of thousands of vintage purses from all over the world, other nostalgic and fashion-related exhibits including dresses, hats, and travel suitcases from the past century. There will be a comic book/comic art emporium, World War II with fashion exhibit, a special Barbie exhibit, and a fun vintage toys exhibit.

Vintage Purses, handbags and suitcases

Come see how you can learn about history through fashion.

Sneak Peek

NOW Comics Exhibit and a Comic Art Emporium

Come see some of the unique NOW Comics from the 1980s, with rare photos, media, press, and videos, and join the Comics Art Emporium where you can work and share ideas with like-minded fans

Sneak Peek

Barbie Toy Exhibit

Fashion Toy Icon has her own Vintage Exhibit

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As a 501c3 Charity Organization, your donation is tax- deductible. Please help us help them.

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volunteer now

We are always looking for volunteers to help!

IMPORTANT EVENTS FROM Vintage Purse Museum

Vintage Purse Museum is currently renovating and converting our building into an exciting museum attraction. We could use your help!

The adventure so far...

Cleaned, cleaned and cleaned some more

Repaired a few of the air conditioners

Repaired the dual boiler heating system

Installed updated Alarm system

Installed CCTV security system

Tested and validated Fire Alarm System and replaced fire extinguishers

Tested and validated Elevator

Repaired Art-Deco crown molding

Repaired enough plumbing for bathroom usage

Repaired seven roof leaks Replaced west section of elevator shaft roof and added vent Built custom display cases for Featured Maker's Exhibit Room, Destination Exhibit Room, NOW Comics Exhibit, Barbie Exhibit, Novelty Exhibit, and Sea Exhibit Mural Exhibit...and more...

Designed and ordered new building Signage

Moved a giant Bee hive out of the elevator shaft

Repaired the tower - crumbling limestone, broken bricks, tuck-pointing, etc

So much more...

Want to help? Contact us!

TARGET:$275,000.00 RAISED:$286,300.00

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WE WANT TO CHANGE THE LIFE OF THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Employment

What are your skills and how may we help you? At Vintage Purse Museum we have a vision of potential employment opportunities in design, exhibit design, guest relations, management, security, information technology - any other ideas?

Studio Sanctuary

24,000 square feet of space provides the Vintage Purse Museum with the means to provide free studio space for artists with special needs.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Be yourself, change the world. Our vision at the Vintage Purse Museum is for every person to use their unique talent, experiences, backgrounds, and abilities together — to spark innovation that creates a better, healthier world while fostering an environment for personal growth.

volunteer

We are always looking for volunteers. Connect with us through the Contact page with what you have in mind.

Why we help people

"“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” ―Mohammed Ali

” The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away. ”

Pablo Picasso France

”It's not about how much you do, but how much love you put into what you do that counts. ”

Saint Teresa of Calcutta India

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

Sir Winston Churchill England