History

Join the W.A. McConnell Foundation for its third annual McConnell Ball Saturday at The District, 10308 Main Street in Richmond.

The members of the Pierce Downer’s Heritage Alliance are taking a breather after decades of service to Downers Grove and are passing the torch of community activism.

The future of a late-1800s building that served as Crystal Lake’s first school will be determined next month in a Landmark status vote by City Council.

Starting on Saturday, April 5 and going until Sunday, April 13, the public is invited to visit at least eight of the 10 participating museums and libraries in McHenry and Lake counties, scavenger hunt style, to receive a prize at the eighth location.

If you’re interested in learning what Lake County life was like in the early days, visit Lake Villa District Library and explore the Millburn Historic District Exhibit.

Workers continued to demolish the historic, but dilapidated, school building that had stood in Polo for 126 years. Demolition crews from Fischer Excavating of Freeport continued demolishing the Congress School, 208 N. Congress Ave., Tuesday, March 28, 2025, creating small clouds of dust as the 18-inch-thick brick walls were collapsed, sparking waves of nostalgia from former students.

The Crystal Lake Park District has started to plan for the preservation of a 140-year-old historic barn after talks of demolition were on the table. But its future remains uncertain.

Workers from Fischer Excavating, of Freeport, continued demolishing the north part of the Congress School, 208 N. Congress Ave., on Friday, March 28, 2025. Demolition of the older, larger portion of the building has been tentatively set for Monday.

Entertainment will range from a Margarita & Sangria Festival to comedy, an edgy play, a banjo great, Paint & Sip Night! and an exhibit paying tribute to inspiring Illinois pioneer women.

Jon Barnhart will talk about his rock farm located 3 miles southeast of Oregon that he and his wife, Cindy have owned since 2005

A historic preservation architect said a building that served as Crystal Lake’s first school in the late 1800s is safe to keep standing, but the church where the building resides still questions financial feasibility.

Council cites safety concern over building's condition.

The Roman Catholic college-preparatory high school marks a milestone of resilience born of a women’s religious congregation founded in the French town of Le Puy in 1650 that defied hardship, political strife and guillotines in its quest to serve the “dear neighbor."

You don't have to drive into Chicago for an exciting and educational excursion. There are plenty of museums in the suburbs and northern Illinois that are well worth a visit.

Tom Wadsworth will present his program on Charles R. Walgreen on March 9 at the Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society, 611 E. Third. St., in Sterling.

From glass collectibles to a celebration of women's history and art to concerts and theater, fun is in store in DuPage and Cook counties.

The Grayslake Historical Society has a full schedule of spring programs beginning March 12 that will feature people, businesses and groups and organizations.

March is Women’s History Month and the Forest Preserve District of Will County will be hosting events to celebrate.

Some DuPage County officials would like an update at the DuPage Heritage Gallery, located in the county administration building in Wheaton

The Joliet Area Historical Museum’s newest exhibit showcases Gerlach Barklow Co. (calendar company) P. F. Volland Company (publisher) and Rust Craft Greeting Card Company.

A city official said there are no plans "whatsoever" to demolish Landmark School in McHenry. But its pending sale still begs the question: What to do with the building that will sustain it?

People with photos and artifacts reflecting local Black history can bring them to the Joliet Area Historical Museum on Saturday.

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage plans phased improvements to improve the historic Peabody estate

The celebration begins at 2 p.m. at the Reagan Community Center, 202 W. Second St. Tampico Mayor Bruce Peltier, the Tampico Area Historical Society and Elevate Tampico will host the event.

Who managed Ronald Reagan's media campaign? Armed with 30 years of radio, television, and advertising experience, 58-year-old Moon Reagan became the media mastermind behind Ron’s 1966 campaign.  

Brian “Fox” Ellis will portray Lincoln’s law partner, William Herndon, at the Sterling-Rock Falls' Historical Society meeting at 2 p.m. Feb. 9 at LLC, 611 E. Third St., Sterling.

Artists were Harry Nurmet and Carrie Vaughn

The 42nd annual Profiles in Excellence event takes place from 3 to 5 p.m. Feb. 2 at Greenbelt Cultural Center, 1215 Green Bay Road in North Chicago.

The Tampico Area Historical Society and Ronald Reagan Birthplace will have an open house Thursday, Feb. 6, honoring the birth of President Reagan 114 years ago.

Sterling American Legion Chaplain Gordon E. Harris is reviving a mostly forgotten story about the sinking of the United States Army Transport Dorchester during World War II and the selfless acts of four chaplains on board.

The McHenry County Historical Society and Museum in Union has announced new hours for 2025 and an upcoming membership event.

The Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society will meet at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, when Ron Koehn will speak on “The Battle of Perryville.” That battle was a critical Civil War engagement that involved the 75th Illinois Infantry from Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties.

The ROXY Theatre in Lockport will host the premiere of a special documentary this Saturday showcasing the city's history and daily life.

This column will reveal some of the surprising details about Neil "Moon" Reagan, Ronald Reagan’s older brother by two years.

Father Bernard Sehr will rededicate the church at the 10:15 a.m. Mass. A potluck fellowship and celebration will follow in the church hall.

The 10th annual Lake County History Symposium takes place virtually on Zoom from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 9 and 16.

The Crystal Lake Historic Preservation Commission wants to submit the downtown train depot to the National Register of Historic Places.

Before its closure in 1985, Congress School housed classrooms for Polo School District students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

McHenry's Landmark Commission, working with local film production company Fine Line Productions, released their second film about the city this week, looking at its history during the prohibition era

Limited spots are still available for this year’s holiday tea event at the Colonel Palmer House in Crystal Lake. This year’s theme is The Christmas Tree Ship.

Visitors came from near and far to witness the iconic Gemini Giant reclaim his right as a U.S.Route 66 roadside attraction during a homecoming event in Wilmington.

The McHenry County Historical Society and Museum will host Warming Up to History Saturday.

Museums around the world - and in Will County are participating, giving patrons a chance to learn and shop on Museum Store Sunday..

The McHenry County Historical Society and Museum has a challenge to draw people to tiny Union. Its new director, replacing someone who left after a new months, aims for new programs.

Three local media members known for covering high school sports will be the presenters for the “Those Were The Days” program at the Oregon Depot.

The Mundelein Heritage Museum, located at 601 Noel Drive, will be extending the display of a special exhibit entitled “Lost and Found Artifacts of Diamond Lake” by John Hynds,

Importance of Native American Women in Illinois History the focus of Lombard Historical Society program

The restoration crew at Bradley’s Restoration Works Inc. had planned to painstakingly bring new life to hundreds of window panes

The Lincoln Highway Commission’s mission was to create a thoroughfare across America. The route began at Times Square in New York City and ended in Lincoln Park in San Francisco.

Like so many others, Charles Rudolph Walgreen became forever attached to Dixon, a historic endearing town by the Rock River. Even though he acquired more wealth and business success than any other person in Dixon history, he remained attached to Dixon throughout his life.