Wilder Park can perhaps be considered the crown jewel of Elmhurst. It sits in the center of town and is home to museums, the Elmhurst Public Library, Veterans Memorial, picnic areas, tennis courts, a playground, landscaped walkways and greenhouses. In the 1860s, Wilder Park was home to Seth Wadhams, who purchased the land and built a home called White Birch. The home also was owned by the Wilder family before the Park District purchased the land in 1921. Wilder Mansion eventually became the site of Elmhurst Public Library, and today, after several renovations, provides space for weddings, meetings and parties.