An Exciting and Memorable Evening Celebrating History and Innovation

An unforgettable evening of history, storytelling, and hometown pride unfolded at the Tivoli Theatre as the Downers Grove Historical Society welcomed an enthusiastic audience for a special celebration of the community’s past—and one of its most influential innovators.

The evening opened with a lively organ performance by David Rhodes, setting the tone and reminding guests of the Tivoli’s rich tradition as a movie palace and gathering place.

Guests were then treated to a fascinating presentation on the history of the Tivoli Theatre by the theatre’s own Michael Schindler, featuring a collection of historic photographs that brought the theater’s story to life and highlighted its enduring place in the heart of the community.

Following the presentation, Richard J. Kulovany was recognized as the Historical Society’s 2026 Historian of the Year, honoring his ongoing commitment to preserving the rich history of Downers Grove. His contributions continue to deepen the community’s understanding of its past while highlighting the importance of protecting both its architectural and natural heritage for the future. A biography of Kulovany can be found here.

Another huge highlight of the evening was Jim Toth’s Node Films premiere of the documentary History Happens Here: The Man Who Changed How We Hear the Movies, telling the remarkable story of Downers Grove native Tomlinson Holman. Long before Hollywood blockbusters shook theaters around the world—and before the deep resonance of THX became the gold standard of cinema sound—Holman was a student experimenting with lights and sound at Downers Grove North High School, experiences that helped shape his life’s work. He would go on to collaborate with George Lucas, pioneer transformative technologies at Lucasfilm including the creation of the THX Sound System, teach a generation of Oscar-nominated directors and sound professionals at the University of Southern California, and contribute to experimental sound design work at Apple Inc. that influenced products such as AirPods. Throughout his groundbreaking career, he has remained connected to where it all began.

Just for fun, see if this sound isn’t very familiar to you: https://youtu.be/v0IKDGplMCY.

Following the documentary, Holman, who traveled to Downers Grove for the special event, joined the audience for a question-and-answer session. His thoughtful insights and personal reflections made the evening even more meaningful and memorable. When asked, he generously shared his list of 25 favorite films with attendees. See Holman’s favorite movie list here.

The event was well attended and greatly appreciated by all who joined, reflecting the community’s strong interest in local history and pride in the individuals who have shaped it.