DGHS

Historian of the Year Award

The Downers Grove Historical Society honors individuals who have made significant contributions to Downers Grove. One of the three awards is the Historian of the Year. It was created in 2013 to recognize individuals who have significantly promoted and preserved Downers Grove History. The first recipient was Montrew Dunham

Historians of the Year:

Jim Toth

2024: Jim Toth

The Downers Grove Historical Society is pleased to announce that Jim Toth has been selected to be the 2024 Historian of the Year. Upon his arrival in Downers Grove in 2015, Toth swiftly immersed himself
in the

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Willis and Shirley Johnson

2023: Willis and Shirley Johnson

The Downers Grove Historical Society is pleased to announce that Willis and Shirley Johnson have been been selected to be the 2023 Historians of the Year. This is the first time a couple have been nominated

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Edward Bunting Jr.

2022: Edward Bunting Jr.

The Downers Grove Historical Society is pleased to announce that Edward Bunting Jr. has been selected to be the 2022 Historian of the Year. If anyone could be called the official photographer of the history of

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Marilyn Ludwig

2021: Marilyn Ludwig

They have “appeared” in Downers Grove’s notable Main Street Cemetery just once a year in the fall for several years now, although their graves are there year-round. “They” are some of the early settlers of the

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Helen Myers

2019: Helen Meyers

Each year the Downers Grove Historical Society recognizes a person who has contributed to the Society’s mission of celebrating and preserving Downers Grove history. We are proud to recognize long time member, volunteer, and Historical Society

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Joyce Tumea

2018: Joyce Tumea

Each year the Downers Grove Historical Society recognizes a person who has contributed to the Society’s mission of celebrating and preserving Downers Grove history. We are proud to recognize Joyce Tumea as the 2018 Historian of the

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Carol Wandschneider

2017: Carol Wandschneider

The Downers Grove Historical Society is honored to recognize Carol Wandschneider as the 2017 Historian of the Year. Downers Grove is a richer place for Carol’s numerous achievements. Her efforts to research and preserve Downers Grove’s

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Lois Sterba

2016: Lois Sterba

The Downers Grove Historical Society is pleased to announce that Lois Sterba has been selected as the Historical Society’s 2016 Historian of the Year. Since moving to Downers Gove in 1991, Lois has dedicated countless hours to

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Photo not on file

2015: John Breen

The Downers Grove Historical Society named John Breen the 2015 Historian of the Year. Breen, who has lived in Downers Grove more than 75 years, received the honor in May 2015 for his 20 years of

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John Mochel

2014: John Mochel

The Downers Grove Historical Society named John Mochel as the 2014 Historian of the Year. John Mochel was honored at the DuPage County Museum as the Downers Grove Historian of the Year on April 26, 2014.

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Montrew Dunham

2013: Montrew Dunham

The Downers Grove Historical Society honored Montrew Dunham as the inaugural Historian of the Year of the year in 2013. Montrew dedicated her life to making a difference in the lives of Downers Grove residents of all

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