On Wednesday evening, over 350 people gathered at the historic Tivoli Theatre to see the newest documentary, The 1846 Blodgett House, by Jim Toth of Node Films. Jim produced the film with the help of the Downers Grove Museum and the Downers Grove Historical Society.
Organist David Rhodes entertained the large audience prior to the start of the program. President of the Historical Society Amy Gassen emceed the event and began by introducing Steve Margison, Technical Director of the Tivoli, who gave a brief but fascinating history of the theater.
The immediate past president of the Society, Liz Chalberg then introduced Jim Toth and presented him with the Society’s Historian of the Year award for his stellar work in researching, documenting and presenting the rich history of Downers Grove.
Finally, the film was premiered for its first public audience. It features early residents and abolitionists Israel and Avis Blodgett, their home, and the role they played in helping escaped slaves reach freedom through Underground Railroad. Their home, built in 1846, is now part of the Downers Grove Museum and a registered member of the National Parks Service’s Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.
