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The Downers Grove Historical Society will honor Mary Ellen Young as the 2024 Montrew Dunham Award recipient. This award was established by the Downers Grove Historical Society in 2019 to honor those whose significant service and contributions to the Village of Downers Grove have earned them a place in its history, following in the footsteps […]
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 […]
Join the Downers Grove Historical Society on our 5th annual History on Tap Trivia Pub-Crawl fundraiser through Downtown Downers Grove! With a trivia card in hand, you’ll stroll to seven local watering holes to find answers to interesting (and brand new) Downers Grove historical questions, while enjoying a 10 oz. beer, 3 oz. glass of wine, soft drink, […]
January 2-30! Historic downtown Downers Grove is full of history and architectural interest... much of it hidden in plain sight. The DG Historical Society and Orange & Brew invite you to explore our village and enter to win prizes during the whole month of January, 2025. How it works: Pick up a clue sheet at […]
Please join us for a special presentation on the life of Israel Blackburn. Israel was born into slavery in 1818 in Kentucky. In 1865, during the Civil War, he was performing garrison duties as part of the 124th U.S. Colored Infantry in Kentucky. Blackburn moved his family north to Downers Grove shortly after the war. […]
Join us for a fun and informative presentation by professor of history and baseball historian Bruce Allardice. Listen as he describes the early days of “America’s Game” and its context in society and Downers Grove. The 2025 Downers Grove Historical Society Annual Member Meeting will take place after the presentation. Drinks and snacks will be […]
Location: Belmont Golf Club Time: Tee offs begin at 11:00 AM $27 for residents and $31 for non-residents Call 630-963-1306 for more information and to register The Belmont Golf Club (est. 1892) and the Downers Grove Historical Society have teamed up to bring you the 47th annual Pine Hollow Open. All golfers 18 years of […]
Please join us as we honor Ken Lerner as the Downers Grove Historical Society's 2025 Historian of the Year. The award recognizes individuals who have significantly promoted and preserved Downers Grove history. Ken will be recognized on Wednesday, April 30th as a part of the Historical Society's "A Night at the Tivoli" event. The event […]
Please join us... For A Night at the Tivoli, our annual fundraiser event, which kicks off with an organist performance followed by a presentation on the history of the Tivoli Theatre. Historian of the Year honored! Ken Lerner The Downers Grove Historical Society will be presenting the 2025 Historian of the Year award to Ken […]
Registration: 9:00 am - day of event Departure: 9:30 am sharp Start/Return Location: Fishel Park, Southeast corner (by Emmett’s) All ages are welcome for this FREE family-friendly event! Join us on this slow bicycle ride around the historic neighborhoods of Downers Grove. This is just one of many fun FoundersFest events... learn more here!
The Downers Grove Historical Society has named Anna Parker Paige as the 2025 Founder of the Year, recognizing her enduring contributions to the early Downers Grove community. A special ceremony will take place at 11:30 a.m. on May 3, 2025, at the Main Street Cemetery, where Anna’s legacy will be celebrated, including a plaque dedication […]
Spend a spring day at Country in the Park -- part of the annual Downers Grove FoundersFest celebration. Families will visit with farm animals, play 1850's pioneer-era games and more! This event is free. Petting Zoo, Games, Exhibits and Live Music! Parking: Additional Parking is available at the new Civic Center parking lot (1 block […]
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