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
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:
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
