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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Downers Grove Historical Society
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260425
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260503
DTSTAMP:20260427T194000
CREATED:20251204T165628Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T173005Z
UID:20428-1777075200-1777766399@dghistory.org
SUMMARY:FoundersFest 2026!
DESCRIPTION:Mark your calendars for a week filled with exciting events celebrating Downers Grove’s rich history and community spirit! \nVisit here for details! \n\nSaturday\, April 25: – Pine Hollow Golf Tournament\nWednesday\, April 29:  – A Night at the Tivoli\nSaturday\, May 2: –  Walking the Grove family fun walk\nSaturday\, May 2: Family Bike Ride\nSaturday\, May 2: Founder of the Year Ceremony\nSaturday\, May 2: Country in the Park\n\nCelebrate our community’s history and culture with your friends and neighbors!
URL:https://dghistory.org/event/foundersfest-2026/
LOCATION:Various Venues in Downers Grove\, See individual event\, Downers Grove\, IL\, 60515\, United States
CATEGORIES:DGHS Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dghistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/FF-event-hero-2026.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="The Downers Grove Historical Society":MAILTO:info@downersgrovehistory.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260427T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260427T200000
DTSTAMP:20260427T194000
CREATED:20260401T212009Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260410T140554Z
UID:21226-1777316400-1777320000@dghistory.org
SUMMARY:Israel Blackburn: A Journey From Slavery to Founder of Downers Grove
DESCRIPTION:Due to popular demand\, we are reprising this presentation on the life of Israel Blackburn. In case you missed this talk last year at the Downers Grove Library\, we  have been invited to the Helen Plum Library in Lombard for this talk. \nIsrael was born into slavery in 1818 in Kentucky. In 1865\, during the Civil War\, he performed garrison duty with the 124th U.S. Colored Infantry in Kentucky. Blackburn moved his family north to DuPage County\, Illinois\, and settled in Downers Grove shortly after the war. He became a respected member of the community and\, within a few years\, in 1873\, was one of the 38 founding signers of the Incorporation Papers for the new Village of Downers Grove. \nIn this presentation\, genealogist\, local historian\, and Downers Grove Historical Society President Marty Acks\, will tell Israel’s story by following the large trove of archival material that documents many aspects of his unique life. \nClick here to register on the Helen Plum Library website. There is no charge for this presentation. \n 
URL:https://dghistory.org/event/israel-blackburn-presentation/
LOCATION:Helen Plum Library\, 411 S Main Street\, Lombard\, IL\, 60148\, United States
CATEGORIES:Community Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://dghistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/event-hero-blackburn-2.webp
ORGANIZER;CN="Helen Plum Library (Lombard%2C IL)":MAILTO:https://www.helenplum.org/contact
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260429T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260429T210000
DTSTAMP:20260427T194000
CREATED:20251111T212413Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260423T151841Z
UID:20283-1777485600-1777496400@dghistory.org
SUMMARY:Night at the Tivoli & Documentary Premiere
DESCRIPTION:Join us!\nBefore Hollywood blockbusters shook theatres around the world — before the deep resonance of THX became the gold standard of cinema sound — there was a student experimenting with lights and sound at Downers Grove North High School\, absorbing lessons that would forge his life’s work. Tomlinson Holman would go on to collaborate with George Lucas\, pioneer transformative technologies at Lucasfilm\, teach a generation of Oscar-nominated directors and sound people at the University of Southern California and help lead the experimental sound design work at Apple Inc. that would influence products like AirPods. Yet through a career defined by groundbreaking innovation\, he never forgot where it all began. History Happens Here: The Man Who Changed How We Hear the Movies tells the remarkable story of how a Downers Grove theatre student forever changed the way we hear — and experience — the movies. \nRichard J. Kulovany has been named the Historical Society’s 2026 Historian of the Year. He will be honored during this event. \n6:00-6:30pm: Check-in and organist performance\n6:30-7:00pm: History of the Tivoli presentation by Tivoli staff\n7:00-7:15pm: Presentation of the Historian of the Year Award\n7:15-7:25pm: Film introduction by Jim Toth of Node Films\n7:25-8:10pm: Film premiere\n8:10-9:00pm: Reception \nRefreshments will be available for purchase. \nFree admission for college students [with I.D.] and those under 18 years old. \nWe hope to see you there! \nFor advance notice on future Society events\, subscribe to our newsletter.
URL:https://dghistory.org/event/tivoli-2026/
LOCATION:Tivoli Theatre\, 5021 Highland Ave\, Downers Grove\, IL\, 60515
CATEGORIES:DGHS Event,Educational Event,FoundersFest
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dghistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/event-hero-2026-2.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="The Downers Grove Historical Society":MAILTO:info@downersgrovehistory.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260502T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260502T110000
DTSTAMP:20260427T194000
CREATED:20260220T193358Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260220T193439Z
UID:20932-1777712400-1777719600@dghistory.org
SUMMARY:Family Bike Ride 2026
DESCRIPTION:Registration: 9:00 am – day of event\nDeparture: 9:30 am sharp\nStart/Return Location: Fishel Park\, Southeast corner \n\nAll ages are welcome for this FREE family-friendly event! Join us on this slow bicycle ride around the historic neighborhoods of Downers Grove. \nThis is just one of many fun FoundersFest events…learn more here!
URL:https://dghistory.org/event/family-bike-ride-2026/
LOCATION:Fishel Park\, 1036 Grove St.\, Downers Grove\, IL\, 60515
CATEGORIES:Community Event,FoundersFest
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dghistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Bike-Ride-Banner.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260502T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260502T110000
DTSTAMP:20260427T194000
CREATED:20260217T215547Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T205104Z
UID:20799-1777714200-1777719600@dghistory.org
SUMMARY:Walking the Grove
DESCRIPTION:Registration is 9:00 am to 11:00 am. You may choose from: (1) Guided Group walk begins at 9:30 a.m. (Registration at 9:00 a.m.) or (2) Self-guided walk can take place anytime. Two routes are offered – 3 miles and 6 miles. The Guided Walk is a relaxed pace\, group walk. The self-guided walk is at your own pace. The walk route includes downtown\, neighborhoods\, and parks throughout Downers Grove. Registration is day of\, on-site. \nSponsored by Windy City Walkers.
URL:https://dghistory.org/event/walking-the-grove-2/
LOCATION:The Downers Grove Museum\, 831 Maple Avenue\, Downers Grove\, IL\, 60515
CATEGORIES:Community Event,FoundersFest
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dghistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Windy-City-Walkers-Banner-scaled.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260502T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260502T120000
DTSTAMP:20260427T194000
CREATED:20260217T224222Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260405T150322Z
UID:20804-1777721400-1777723200@dghistory.org
SUMMARY:2026 Founder of the Year: Nathan Alonzo Belden
DESCRIPTION:The Downers Grove Historical Society has named Nathan Alonzo Belden as the 2026 Founder of the Year\, recognizing his enduring contributions to the early Downers Grove community. A special ceremony will take place at 11:30 a.m. on May 2\, 2026\, at the Main Street Cemetery\, where Nathan’s legacy will be celebrated. See his biography here.
URL:https://dghistory.org/event/2026-founder-of-the-year-nathan-alonzo-belden/
LOCATION:Main Street Cemetery\, 5158 Main Street\, Downers Grove\, IL\, 60515\, United States
CATEGORIES:DGHS Event,FoundersFest
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dghistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/belden-marker.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="The Downers Grove Historical Society":MAILTO:info@downersgrovehistory.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260502T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260502T150000
DTSTAMP:20260427T194000
CREATED:20251204T181920Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260220T194515Z
UID:20439-1777723200-1777734000@dghistory.org
SUMMARY:Country in the Park 2026
DESCRIPTION: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! \nThis year’s special feature: a blacksmith demonstration on the Museum campus\, honoring Nathan Alonzo Belden\, our 2026 Founder of the Year\, who was a blacksmith in Downers Grove in the 1800s. \nThis event is free. Petting Zoo\, Blacksmith Demonstration\, Games\, Exhibits and Live Music! \nParking: Additional Parking is available at the new Civic Center parking lot (1 block north of the Museum)\, or at Lincoln Center (2 blocks west of the Museum). \nHosted by: Downers Grove Park District\, Downers Grove Public Library\, the Downers Grove Museum & Downers Grove Historical Society \nPetting Zoo Sponsor: The Grove Foundation
URL:https://dghistory.org/event/country-in-the-park-2026/
LOCATION:The Downers Grove Museum\, 831 Maple Avenue\, Downers Grove\, IL\, 60515
CATEGORIES:DGHS Event,FoundersFest
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dghistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/event-hero-citp-2.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="The Downers Grove Historical Society":MAILTO:info@downersgrovehistory.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261012T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261012T203000
DTSTAMP:20260427T194001
CREATED:20260416T155136Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T155946Z
UID:21375-1791831600-1791837000@dghistory.org
SUMMARY:The Story of Israel Blackburn at the Schaumburg Township District Library
DESCRIPTION:We have been invited to tell the life story of Israel Blackburn at the Schaumburg Township District Library. \nIsrael was born into slavery in 1818 in Kentucky. In 1865\, during the Civil War\, he performed garrison duty with the 124th U.S. Colored Infantry in Kentucky. Blackburn moved his family north to DuPage County\, Illinois\, and settled in Downers Grove shortly after the war. He became a respected member of the community and\, within a few years\, in 1873\, was one of the 38 founding signers of the Incorporation Papers for the new Village of Downers Grove. \nIn this presentation\, genealogist\, local historian\, and Downers Grove Historical Society President Marty Acks\, will tell Israel’s story by following the large trove of archival material that documents many aspects of his unique life. \nRegistration details will follow. There is no charge for this presentation. \n 
URL:https://dghistory.org/event/israel-blackburn-a-journey-from-slavery-schaumburg/
LOCATION:Schaumburg Township District Library\, 130 South Roselle Road\, Schaumburg\, IL\, 60159-0567\, United States
CATEGORIES:Community Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://dghistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/event-hero-blackburn-2.webp
ORGANIZER;CN="Schaumburg Township District Library":MAILTO:contact@stdl.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261118T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261118T203000
DTSTAMP:20260427T194001
CREATED:20260416T161612Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T162841Z
UID:21381-1795028400-1795033800@dghistory.org
SUMMARY:The Story of Israel Blackburn at the DuPage County Genealogical Society
DESCRIPTION:We have been invited to tell the life story of Israel Blackburn for the monthly meeting of the DuPage County Genealogical Society. The presentation will be held at the Wheaton Public Library. \nIsrael was born into slavery in 1818 in Kentucky. In 1865\, during the Civil War\, he performed garrison duty with the 124th U.S. Colored Infantry in Kentucky. Blackburn moved his family north to DuPage County\, Illinois\, and settled in Downers Grove shortly after the war. He became a respected member of the community and\, within a few years\, in 1873\, was one of the 38 founding signers of the Incorporation Papers for the new Village of Downers Grove. \nIn this presentation\, genealogist\, local historian\, and Downers Grove Historical Society President Marty Acks\, will tell Israel’s story by following the large trove of archival material that documents many aspects of his unique life. \nRegistration details will follow. There is no charge for this presentation. \n 
URL:https://dghistory.org/event/the-story-of-israel-blackburn-for-at-the-wheaton-library/
LOCATION:Wheaton Public Library\, 225 N. Cross St.\, Wheaton\, 60187\, United States
CATEGORIES:Community Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://dghistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/event-hero-blackburn-2.webp
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