Local

Park Forest Historical Society News


park-forest-historical-society-small.jpg

Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)–September 5, 2015

1950s Park Forest House Museum in New Home

The 1950s Park Forest House Museum is now in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 227 Monee Road in Park Forest. Re-opening after the move to this location, the museum is  open by appointment and is getting some regular hours established. Donation is Adults $5;12 & under free with an adult. Group tours are priced individually.  The museum is now more accessible, with everything one one floor.  “Like” “1950s Park Forest House Museum” on Facebook to see notices of when it will be open for scheduled times.  We are working on filling the volunteer schedule, now.

More volunteers are needed for the museum to be open regular hours.  Interested in volunteering to tell the early history of the village, or in setting up a tour?  Contact Jane Nicoll, 708-481-4252, Mike Gans at 708-305-3308, or email the society via their webstie at www.parkforesthistory.org.  Other volunteer opportunities are listed on the website.

“Step Back Into a 1950s Halloween” Exhibit should be up September 12, 2015-November 7, 2015.

Annual Meeting with election of Board Members, Sunday, September 27, 2015, 2:30 p.m. Ryan Hall, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 227 Monee Road. Followed by an open house tour of the 1950s Park Forest House Museum for Members of the Society, only!  Our membership year begins in September.  People can join the Society at this meeting and see the museum.

  To learn more about the Park Forest Historical Society, their programs, or the 1950s Park Forest House Museum, visit www.parkforesthistory.org

Park Forest Plaza Holiday Theatre Print for Sale

The society now is offering an 11″ x 14″ color print of the Park Foret Plaza, featuring mothers and children in front of the Holiday Theatre.  This vibrant print is done from a watercolor painted by Annabelle Gould in 1966.  Prints are available at the museum for $15 each.  The original print is on loan to the museum from the Village of Park Forest.  Prints can also be purchased via PayPal on our website with an additional $6 for postage and handling.  This is a lovely gift for Holiday Giving!!

The Park Forest Archive is now out of Storage!           The Archive Office is open Friday 10 to 12; or by appointment at 227 Monee Road, Room 2 in St Mary’s Catholic Church.  Stop by and see us.  Call Archivist, Jane Nicoll, 708-481-4252 fro an appointment at other times.  It is good to call and tell her you will come by on Friday, too.

  Marshall Field’s Bricks are on sale at the 1950s Park Forest House Museum during open hours, or by appointment, and can be purchased at the Park Forest Recreation and Parks counter in Village Hall.  Bricks may also be purchased from the online store at www.parkforesthistory.org Price:  1 for $15; 2 for $25.  Shipping and handling are $12 for up to three bricks to one address.  Books, calendars and postcards, as well as memberships are available at the museum and online!  Help the Society “make Lemonade” out of losing our Marshall Field’s building!  Buy a brick and help us preserve Park Forest history.


The Society is seeking volunteers to help cover the 1950s PF House Museum hours.  Contact Museum Director, Jane Nicoll, via the website at www.parkforesthistory.org, or at 708-481-4252 to become a volunteer!  We need several more volunteers to make this possible. Please join our volunteers in keeping this gem open!  The 1950s Park Forest House Museum is operated by the Park Forest Historical Society.

Park Forest Historical Society–Saving our History for 28 Years.

Nominations for the Hall of Fame are accepted from the public between October 1 and December 15 each year.  Nominees are selected for consistent, beneficial service to the citizens of Park Forest over a long span of time.  The official nomination form must be used and nominations must include requested information to be accepted. Forms are made available through the mail to all members of the society, and can be picked up beginning in early October at Village Hall, the Park Forest Public Library, or the 1950s Park Forest HouseMuseum. A committee of the Park Forest Historical Society makes the final selelction.

Names of the members of the Hall of Fame are available on the historical society website at www.parkforesthistory.org, and aslo on two plaques which will now hang in the board meeting room at Village hall. Biographical information on the members previously inducted is available in the Adult Services area of the library, in the Hall of Fame albums and in the Park Forest files, under “Park Forest Hall of Fame.”

 Information on the museum, membership, and on the mission of the society can be seen at www.parkforesthistory.org.  

Volunteer Opportunities

The society is also always looking for new volunteers who would enjoy sharing the museum with visitors.  Contact director, Jane Nicoll at 708-481-4252, if you would like to join our band of volunteers. 1950s Park Forest House Museum Needs Volunteers

Long-time residents enjoy reminiscing with visitors, newer residents enjoy learning the history of this unique village and people who have lived in nearby towns enjoy sharing what they have known about the village over the years.
The society is seeking other volunteers for special projects including fundraising and work on the Park Forest Local History Collection and Archive at the Archive Office. Projects include clipping and photocopying articles, scanning, typing and updating the website.If you have a talent to offer or need to put in some public service time for school, please contact Jane Nicoll at the phone number above, or email her via the website www.parkforesthistory.org.

Historical Society Urges Support Through Membership

The Park Forest Historical Society urges people to support the society by joining its membership. Membership is open to people living in Park Forest, those who have lived in Park Forest, or to those interested in the history of Park Forest even as it is being made. In other words anyone interested in the village any facet of it is urged to join. The society always accepts donations toward its mission, but at this seminal time, they really need the support of a large membership.

Archivist Jane Nicoll says, “As I rode in the Hall of Fame car in the 4th of July Parade, I saw whole families of long-time residents and enthusiastic faces of new residents. I know many of these people have never joined the society, even though they treasure Park Forest. Now is the time for everyone who loves Park Forest to show that support by joining the society.”

The Park Forest Historical Society faces many challenges and needs the support of all who treasure Park Forest history.


ARCHIVES