Elmer Vliet, a longtime Lake Bluff resident and village historian, donated his collection of photographs and artifacts when the Vliet Museum was founded in 1982. The museum was originally housed part of the Lake Bluff Elementary School District building but in 1995 relocated to its present location. The Vliet Center expanded in 1998 as part of a private/public partnership with the Lake Bluff Library and the Village of Lake Bluff. Additional storage, display and work space came from funds raised for an addition.