When the Revolutionary War began in 1775, the Fox Valley was considered part of and was administered from Quebec Province under British rule.

Leaves of history: A former church in Leaf River now protects the town’s memories. Inside, its dedicated volunteers preserve photos, artifacts and stories that refuse to fade.

Illinoisans are finding a variety of ways all summer to celebrate this milestone year in our nation’s history.

Vintage rules base ball (spelled as two words in the 1800s) is played with authentic wool uniforms, no gloves, underhand pitching and “gentlemanly conduct.”

The Ogle County Historical Society will hold its June monthly meeting Monday, June 22, at the carriage house annex building located behind the Nash House Museum in Oregon.

Oregon's vintage "base ball" team, the Ganymedes, hosted the DuPage Plowboys on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the John Deere Historic Site in Grand Detour.

Betty Obendorf of the Polo Historical Society describes a hectic week of preparing for a program at the museum.

Representatives from the organization will be on hand with a display and information about the programs and opportunities they offer individuals with special needs.

Joliet Historic Preservation Awards go to St. Joseph Catholic Church, the George Werden Buck Boys & Girls Club, and Ray and Mari Hernandez for the restoration work they did on their house at 408 Whitney Ave.

The Quilters Dozen Quilting Club are now selling tickets for this year’s handcrafted PrairieFest Quilt. A winning raffle ticket will be chosen at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 15.

The Montgomery Historic Preservation Commission invites residents and visitors to discover the heritage of the community during a free historical presentation.

Betty Obendorf writes about needed renovations to the Polo Historical Society building in her weekly Ogle County Life column.

Edith Farnsworth House, a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, in Plano secured grants from two national foundations for its Mexican Modernism programming this year.

The former Little Owl, in a historic building in downtown Geneva, is under new ownership and in search of a new tenant.

Crystal Lake houses that were once homes to veterans of the Civil War will be highlighted in this year’s Trolley Tour hosted by the Historic Preservation Commission and the Historical Society.

Kendall County’s century of post-Civil War population decline and its subsequent explosive post World War II growth will be the underlying theme at the Little White School Museum program.

Nostalgia overload: Wind through the hills of northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin, from Scales Mound to Lead Mine, and there are scenic views and a time warp back to life – in the form of old-time stores and taverns – from many decades ago.

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

The Ogle County Historical Society recently received a donation from Harvard State Bank in support of a time capsule project to commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary.

In 2001, Doug Hand’s fifth grade students at Thome School in Rock Falls packed as many treasures as they could into a cooler. It was buried, to be unearthed 25 years later. That day was Sunday.

Betty Obendorf of the Polo Historical Society chronicles a trip to the Polo Farmer's Market.

Some of the persons to be portrayed include Augustus Adams, founder of the Sandwich Manufacturing Company, which at one time was well-known for its quality agricultural implements that were sold worldwide.

This free, family friendly event will honor America’s history, patriotism, and military heritage through interactive living history demonstrations, patriotic music, ceremonial traditions, and educational programs for all ages.

Over 50 items were put in the time capsule, which is buried at the Mills & Petrie Community Building on state Route 38.

Former Lee County Sheriff Tim Bivins, who served a decade in the Illinois State Senate, reminded a Sublette audience on Monday that Memorial Day is about more than a day off, a long weekend and family picnics.

The donation will be used for a veterans memorial at the Northwestern Steel and Wire Park.

The 112-year-old building in downtown Crystal Lake that stands out for its striking glazed green bricks is officially designated a local landmark.

Former Dixonite Nick Lazaris, now of Philadelphia, donated copies of “Distinctive Dixon: Fascinating Stories of Dixon’s Rich History” to all 196 graduates of Ronald Reagan Middle School during graduation ceremonies on Friday, May 22.

Fans of classic Western movies and entertainment are invited to visit the Polo Historical Museum during Town & Country Days' open hours on Saturday, June 20, for a special exhibit celebrating legendary entertainer Roy Rogers.

Betty Obendorf of the Polo Historical Society talks spring flowers around Polo and upcoming programs.

The Oswegoland Heritage Association and the Little White School Museum will host a “Hafenrichter History Hike at Farmington Lake” at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

For visitors to Chaplin Creek Historic Settlement in rural Franklin Grove on Saturday and Sunday, World War II history came to life with a two-day reenactment of the Battle of Rome and the breakout from Anzio, two key battles that helped liberate Italy.

The remnant of an 1840s blacksmith shop in Geneva is again at the center of a legal battle between the city and the owner after the structure was encased in plastic.

Presented by local history enthusiast and researcher Mary Rose Fillip, the program explores the history of the Women’s Ambulance Safety Patrol.

To get more information about the important part that “smithing” played in the Sauk Valley area, come to the Lee County Historical and Genealogical Society at 7 p.m. Monday, May 25, to hear Greg Dutchoff, a local blacksmith, speak.

Many World War II artifacts are on display, including tanks, trucks, cannons and Rochelle News-Leader newspapers from 1945.

World War II historians at Chaplin Creek in Franklin Grove reenact the Battle of Anzio on Saturday, May 16, 2026.

The public’s voice has been heard, and choices have emerged for the name of the new pedestrian bridge in Dixon. Now is the chance to vote from the final list of names.

The downtown building that houses Aroma Coffee & Wine may become Crystal Lake's latest historic landmark for its unique terra cotta bricks.

Betty Obendorf of the Polo Historical Society talks about plans for Polo's Town and Country Days in June.

Normally, the small cottages, cabins, and barns of Chaplin Creek Historic Village in Franklin Grove represent the way of life as it was in northern Illinois in the early to mid-1800s.

For more than 50 years, educators have taught generations of Yorkville middle school students to put their best foot forward in the annual Square Dance Jubilee.

Historian Tom Wadsworth will present a historical look at the area's religions Sunday at the Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society.

The Ogle County Historical Society will have its monthly meeting May 18, instead of the fourth Monday, because of the Memorial Day holiday.

The Fulton Historical Society is sponsoring a Tour of Homes from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, May 15, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16. Five homes will be open to celebrate the historic to the contemporary.

Betty Obendorf of the Polo Historical Society chronicles a high-traffic day at the Polo Historical Society and the artifacts discussed.

The Polo Historical Society will host a travelogue presentation on Wednesday, June 3, featuring Krista Lichtenheld.

Construction recently began on a Memorial Plaza project on the south side of the historic Ogle County Courthouse property.

As we get into the yearlong celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary, it might be interesting to take a brief look at what was going on right here in the Fox River Valley 250 years ago.

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