For information about the Park Forest Historical Society and its events, go to www.parkforesthistory.org. Or, contact Jane Nicoll at 708-481-4252, or via email through the website.
Event
“A Journey Into One African American Family History, From 1783-2011″ with Viola Baecher. Presented by the Park Forest Historical Society, Sunday February 26, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. in the Park Forest Village Hall Board Meeting Room.
Viola’s journey began with wanting to know more about a grandmother she had never met, and grew to include trips across the country in search of information in bookstores, at libraries, in cemeteries and on museum walls. In addition to telling her story Viola will share some of her research methods.
New Exhibit: Step Back into a 1950s Valentines Day
The Forest Blvd School room is decoarated for a 1950s Valentines Day party. Vintage Valentines are on display throughout the house. Come “see Red” February 1 thru March 3. It is a real day brightener!
1950s Park Forest House Museum
141 Forest Blvd, Park Forest, IL 60466
Wednesdays 11-2; Saturdays 10-3
Adults $5; 12 and under free with adult.
Small groups can be arranged by appointment at other times.
Note: In March and beyond, our hours will be Wednesdays and Saturdays 10:30-3:30.
Collection and Archive Out of Storage
The Park Forest Local History Collection and Archive is out of remote storage, after five years of captivity in PODS!! The Park Forest Historical Society and Park Forest Public Library are working together to lease a space for the archive and the Society office and Digital Lab in the Church of St. Mary Catholic Church, 227 Monee Road on the southern edge of Park Forest, Illinois. The Village of Park Forest has contributed through a grant to the Society.
Part of the collection, inlcuding 270 subject files, catalogued books on Park Forest and reports by the Village of Park Forest are housed at the Library at 400 Lakewood Blvd. As the collection in St. Mary’s gets better situated, more materials may be transferred from the Library. The Society is still storing some materials in another nearby church, as well.
For an account of the move, with photos, read our latest newsletter on the website, accessible from the home page. Free at last!

