News

The Historical Society has named Nathan Alonzo Belden as the 2026 Founder of the Year. Belden will be recognized at a special ceremony at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Main Street Cemetery, where his legacy will be honored at his graveside. A chance encounter with Pierce Downer changed everything—leading blacksmith Nathan Alonzo Belden to put down roots in a young settlement and help shape the future of Downers Grove. Please join us

The Downers Grove Historical Society has named Rich Kulovany as their Historian of the Year, recognizing his long-standing commitment to historic preservation and community service. A lifelong connection to Downers Grove began when his family moved into a home his father built at Fourth Street and Florence Avenue in 1953. A 1970 graduate of Downers Grove South High School, Kulovany went on to build a career in the technology and medical software industries while remaining active in civic life. After

The Downers Grove Historic Home Program has reached an exciting milestone: 100 homes officially recognized as Centennial or Historic Homes in Downers Grove! 5306 Washington Street, The Esther M. Smart House, was the 100th house to be approved as a Historic Home in Downes Grove. Having been approved just a few minutes before, 4832 Wallbank Avenue was the 99th house to be approved. This achievement celebrates the community’s deep appreciation for its architectural heritage and the

This March, as we celebrate Women’s History Month, which celebrates the contributions women have made to American history, culture, and society, we honor seven remarkable women whose lives helped shape the history, character, and civic spirit of Downers Grove. Spanning nearly two centuries—from pioneer days to modern times—these women were educators, reformers, artists, legislators, writers, and community builders. These seven women were recently highlighted at the February 2026 Annual Meeting of the Downers Grove Historical Society,

Our annual Membership Meeting took place this past Saturday at the Belmont Golf Club, one of our recognized Historic Sites. A special thank-you to the club for hosting the event. Everyone enjoyed listening to the live entertainment by the Vintage Jazz Ensemble, a stellar group that performs the jazz from the speakeasy era. Delicious tacos and free soft drinks were provided by Outpost Mexican Eatery. The highlight of the meeting was the presentation by board