History

Cars Behind Bars in Joliet will feature 250 vehicles of various makes and models, including classics, imports and motorcycles, along with automotive-related vendors and food trucks.

The DeKalb community is getting ready to celebrate the birthday of a woman who could be considered the matriarch of the city’s agricultural history. Saturday will mark what would be her 160th birthday, and the Glidden Homestead is hosting a free event for the occasion.

“Dancing for Our Tribe: Potawatomi Tradition in the New Millennium,” a photographic exhibit will open Friday at the Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon.

The Ganymedes, Oregon’s official vintage “base ball” team, won the first game 5-1 and trailed by three runs in the seventh inning in the second game before rallying to tie the game and force extra innings

Extra innings were not enough to determine a winner in a classic, cross-county rivalry between the Oregon Ganymedes and Creston Regulators, at Solar Reef Field at Oregon park West, Saturday, July 20.

The Anything That Floats races were held from 1978-1986 each year in Peru. Check out photos from the event procured by photo editor Scott Anderson. The photos were found in La Salle NewsTribune archives. Participants needed to build a raft less than 50 feet in length. Rafts were made from styrofoam, inter tubes or barrels. A minimum of two paddles were required on each float. Contestants received a free case of Old Style beer upon entering. Rafts were launched at the Starved Rock Boat Ramp and floated to the finish line at the Peru boat launch area. Despite its success and community appeal, the event eventually became too large to manage and organizers had to scrap it.

The Lombard Historical Society invites the public to a Victorian Garden Tea Party from 2:30 to 4 p.m. July 26, at the William J. Mueller Gazebo, 23 W. Maple St. in Lombard.

Go behind the scenes of the 2,000-gallon aquarium at The Four Rivers Environmental Education Center on Saturday, July 26.

The Burgess Family, descendants of Englishman John Cragg, who built the original Cragg Cabin at Gose Lake Prairie, gathered at cabin’s replica over the Fourth of July weekend to celebrate the American flag and their family history.

The fate of Crystal Lake’s first school building appears to be as unclear as ever, after City Council postponed a vote to landmark the structure as questions mount about whether it can be saved.

The Geneva History Museum is hosting an historic home tour from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 20 of four homes and St. Mark's Episcopal Church in the downtown historic district.

Antique farm machinery in a spectrum of colors and styles will descend again on the Bos Brothers Historical Farm, located on Springhill Road south of Erie, for the 10th anniversary show Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 25-27, 2025. Show hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Log cabin living on the northern Illinois prairies of the 1830s has a romantic back-to-nature ring to our 21st Century ears. But in reality, frontier prairie life, especially for pioneer women, was a real struggle to survive.

A presentation titled “Carl Sandburg: Poet of the People” will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 13, at the Lincoln Land Center, 611 E. Third St., Sterling.

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is seeking formal statements of interest from individuals or organizations with a vision for rehabilitating and reusing Oak Cottage.

Join the Oswegoland Heritage Association at noon on Saturday, July 12, to explore that era with Conversations with Farm Kids at the Little White School Museum.

Celebrate Bastille Day, the national holiday of France, with an "after-work picnic with a French twist” on Monday, July 14 from 5-7 p.m., at the French Heritage Museum, 165 N. Indiana Ave.

The one-hour program includes more than 100 rare photos and PowerPoint slides

Record stories that captured people's attention in years passed.

The one-hour program starts at 10 a.m. and includes over 100 rare photos and PowerPoint slides.

Mayfield Congregational Church will host a Summer Stop event for community members to learn about its Underground Railroad history.

Almost four years after his “I Have a Dream” speech, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. arrived at a tent-in demonstration in DuPage County.

Just in time for Independence Day, here ere are a few patriotic facts and trivia.

In this week's "A Taylor-Made Life," Taylor Leddin-McMaster writes about recent events at Wright in Kankakee's B. Harley Bradley House and what's next on the calendar as the Frank Lloyd Wright home turns 125 years old.

Dixon's Lowell Park has a remarkable history. In his column this week, historian Tom Wadsworth shares unique stories about who designed the park and the land's importance in northern Illinois as far back as the early 1800s.

The Polo Historical Society is applying to become a designated Network to Freedom site with the National Park Service after uncovering local ties to the Underground Railroad.

Polo was a major hub in helping slaves get to safety in the 1800s through the Underground Railroad, a series of secret routes and safe houses.

Having some cents of Ogle County history: Centennial, quasquicentennial, sesquicentennial, dosquicentennial … Ogle County can observe them all this year, from the anniversary of driving through a cut up rock to blazing trails and rails.

Having some cents of Dixon history: Centennial, quasquicentennial, sesquicentennial, dosquicentennial … Dixon can observe them all this year, from the anniversary of an unbeatable high school football team to the establishment of governance in its rural areas.

The Class of 2025 was the last class to march into the future in Savanna, as its city prepares to say farewell to its high school before it moves to Mount Carroll.

Drag racing and Arnie Beswick were born around the same time – one on the dry lake beds of California and the other in Morrison – and they’ve both found fame through the years, with drag racing attracting legions of fans and “The Farmer” becoming a legend in his field.

Landmarked by Historic Preservation Commission in 2023, Crystal Lake's McCormick Park is one of the oldest public grounds in McHenry County. A recognition of the park's landmark status and walk through its markers takes place Sunday.

Purchase a bag of stone ground flour, mix it up, knead it into dough and drop in the oven at the Windmill Cultural Center.

The Ellwood House Museum will partner with the DeKalb County History Center to hold an opening reception for its Arts in Action: “Sharing Stories” exhibit.

Among the highlights of summer in the suburbs are “Always…Patsy Cline" on stage, along with the band Asia's John Payne, folk music and blues artists, Wheaton Municipal Band, a book sale extraordinaire and walking tour.

One of the oldest Little League organizations in the United States is making plans for its next 74 years with the help of the Joliet Slammers, Rotary Club of Joliet, and other local businesses and organizations.

The Grayslake Historical Society invites all members of the community to attend a morning coffee and chat at 9 a.m. June 26 in the community room of the Grayslake Heritage Center, 164 Hawley St., Grayslake.

Record stories that captured people's attention in years passed.

Today's column showcases the story behind Charles Russell Lowell's 1859 purchase of the land that would someday become Dixon's Lowell Park.

Gary Sooter from FamilySearch will give a genealogy program at 7 p.m. Monday, June 23, at the Lee County Historical and Genealogical Society, 113 S. Hennepin Ave., Dixon.

A century-old grade school that taught generations of families in Sycamore will open to the public for a final time Saturday. Sycamore District 427 will host a farewell celebration for Central School, 245 W. Exchange St., before its administrative offices move to Bethany Road.

Uplifting and also down to earth, the true-story musical “42 Balloons” is flying high through June 29.

This year’s ‘Juneteenth in Kendall County – A Celebration of Love & Education’ featuring entertainment, live performances, food and family fun, is on Thursday at Yorkville Congregational United Church of Christ.

The administration building at the Old Joliet Prison now is open for visits. Must be 16 and older to go on tours,

Experience vintage Will County farm history up close at Tractor Discovery Day on Saturday at the Tractor Supply Co., 2161 E Laraway Road, New Lenox.

Attempts are underway to preserve several old farms buildings around McHenry County – including one that just made a most-endangered list – but how to save them isn't always clear.

Producers of the Old Joliet Haunted Prison will open Friday and Saturday for a 'pop-up event' ahead of the Halloween season.

It was a special day Saturday, June 7, 2025, as de Immigrant windmill in Fulton marked its 25th anniversary.

Lockport is hosting its 52nd Old Canal Days festival this weekend featuring a carnival, food court, artisan vendors, beer garden, entertainment and special events. The festival runs through Sunday. The event is held at 303 W. Second St.

Tom Wadsworth’s one-hour PowerPoint presentation about the kidnapping of Della Stackhouse starts at 2 p.m. at the Lincoln Learning Center, 611 E. Third St. in Sterling, and includes free refreshments.