This 1 to 1 1/2 hour slow ride is designed for fun and families with young riders. The ride will end in time to honor Abigail Stearns Root (pioneer wife, farmer and DAR) at the Main Street Cemetery at 11:30. Bike check by DGBC (tire pressure, chain lube) at 9:00 AM 10 mile ride starts […]
On Saturday, May 6, 2023, the Downers Grove Historical Society honors Abigail Stearns Root as their 2023 Founder of the Year. The ceremony will be held at the the Main Street Cemetery in Downers Grove. She was one of many pioneer women who came west, settled here and contributed to the history of our village. She […]
Spend a spring afternoon at Country in the Park—part of the annual Downers Grove Founders Day celebration. Families will visit with farm animals, play 1850’s pioneer-era games and more! There will also be live music - “Songs of the Civil War” at 12 & 1pm. This event is free.
Join us for a FREE Members Only Social Hour at Goldfinger Brewing! As a way for us to show our appreciation for your loyalty, the Downers Grove Historical Society is hosting a special event for its members at Goldfinger Brewing on Thursday, August 17th from 5:00-7:00 pm. A food truck will be at the brewery […]
Willis Johnson, founder of Classic Cinemas, took over operation of the Tivoli Theatre in 1977. As it so happens, the last film he saw at the Tivoli Theatre was the premiere of "History Happens Here: The Tivoli Theatre", the documentary about the history of the Tivoli Theatre and Johnson Family. A Celebration of Life for […]
Join the Downers Grove Park District and Downers Grove Museum for a celebration of the acceptance of the 1846 Israel and Avis Blodgett’s House into the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom!, National Park Service program, that coordinates preservation and education efforts nationwide associated with the Underground Railroad. We’ll learn more about the Network to […]
Pierce Downer's Heritage Alliance is sponsoring a guided tour of this native Illinois prairie remnant with Naturalist Lance Herning. The tour will last about 1 hour. Registration is available here.
Bruce Swanson has been named the 2023 Montrew Dunham Award recipient by the Downers Grove Historical Society. "Holey" and "holy" are two words easily associated with Downers resident Bruce Swanson. He is an avid golfer who frequently plays nine holes or more, and he is known for his charitable works. As a result, the Downers […]
Living Cemetery is annual Society event that brings together the talents of local drama students and adult actors who depict the early settlers buried in the historic Main Street Cemetery. They tell the stories about how these brave pioneers made their way to our area and about their many contributions to creating the Village of Downers Grove. Making […]
Tickets are now on sale for the annual "History on Tap" pub crawl! This year we are excited to announce that we'll be adding a seventh location to the crawl, so you'll have even more opportunities to brush up on your Downers Grove history. We're also bringing back the after-party for food and chances to […]
Take a stroll through Downers Grove History from 1884-1996 through the eyes of John and Doris Mochel as they recount tales of growing up in Downers and of the iconic Mochel's Hardware store. This film, by Downers Grove filmmaker, Jim Toth, is packed with a treasure trove of private pictures from the Mochel Family Archives and depicts a life […]
Due to popular demand, we are hosting an encore presentation of The Mochel Family video. Do you remember Mochel's Hardware or have you ever wondered for whom "Mochel Drive" was named? Take a stroll through Downers Grove History from 1884-1996 through the eyes of John and Doris Mochel as they recount tales of growing up […]
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