Part of the Downers Grove Historical Society's FoundersFest events. Pierce Downer's Heritage Alliance is supporting FoundersFest again this year and celebrating spring with a guided Wildflower Walk in Lyman Woods. The group of hikers will depart at 9:00 AM from the Interpretive Center. The group will be limited to about 15 participants and should expect […]
Come to the Downers Grove Museum to learn about heirloom plant varieties and historic farming practices! Try historic herbs and winter greens. Take a turn at using both pre-historic as well as pioneer-type farming equipment and reenact fun springtime traditions to help the season's first plantings. Program will be held indoors and outdoors, so please […]
Immerse yourself in the time period of our Founder of the Year as we investigate the causes of the Civil War, presented by an Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Museum historian. Since the Civil War began, there has been confusion and misinformation about its political and social causes- yet these conversations often leave out what people […]
Join us for the movie premiere of History Happens Here: The 1846 Blodgett House, a documentary about the Blodgett family, their home and the underground railroad and abolitionists in Downers Grove.
Walk through a small-town/suburban downtown, through leafy historic neighborhoods, and on a trail through one of DuPage county's oldest Forest Preserves. Registration for the self-guided or group walk will be at the Downers Grove Museum Annex at 831 Maple any time between 9 am and 11 am. The group walk will begin at 9:30, self-guided […]
Free to the public. DG Historical Society is pleased to announce Isrel Larry Blackburn as the Founder of the Year for 2024. Isrel Larry Blackburn was born into slavery on a plantation in Kentucky in 1818. He lived there until 1864 when he was sold to the Union Army where he was assigned to a […]
The Downers Grove Historical Society will present a plaque to the Downers Grove Museum that recognizes the 1846 Blodgett House as being a part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.
Avery Coonley School Head of School, Dr. Kirsty Montgomery, Ph.D will give a presentation on the history and architecture of this wonderful landmark private school in Downers Grove. Following the presentation, small group guided tours will be available. 6:00 Reception on the patio 6:45 Program 7:30 Tour
FREE educational event that explains the two Downers Grove Historic Preservation programs, The Historic Home Program and Landmarking. Mark your calendar and check back for more information!
Time: TBD Come discover the fascinating history of Sears Kit Homes constructed in Chicagoland from 1908 to 1942. What is the reason behind Downers Grove boasting an abundance of the kit homes? Despite the rash of teardowns in the Chicago area, some of these houses have managed to survive. Discover the Sears homes that remain […]
No ghosts, but plenty of ‘guest’ actors will portray early settlers buried in Downers Grove’s historic Main Street Cemetery. Portrayed by both adult and young-adult actors, our early founders, who reappear for this one day every year, will share their stories about the early pioneer days in Downers Grove. Come to the Living Cemetery on […]
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