Our Mission
The Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Historical Society inspires an awareness of the community’s history and an appreciation of its relevance through delivering engaging exhibitions, publications and public programs; collecting and preserving local heritage and culture; and supporting historical research.
Board of Directors
Fiscal Year 2009-2010
Tom Hunter, President
Fred Wacker, Vice- President
Leslie Chapman, Treasurer
Kathryn P. Govas, Secretary
Lori Baker
Holly A. Brown
Coni Carfagno
Mike Conklin
David A. Dezelan
Robert D. Douglass, AIA
Katie Hale
Laura Henderson
Margie Juedes
David M. Lutrey
Cathy McKechney
Harold M. Morrison
Shirley M. Paddock
Carlotta H. Rotman
Jean Royster
Bob Shaw
Kate Smith
Lynn Taylor
Kay Weston
MUSEUM HOURS
The museum hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The museum is closed Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day and on major holidays.
Admission is free to the Historical Society’s museum building. The museum is accessible to visitors in wheelchairs.
WHERE WE ARE
The Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Historical Society is located in downtown Lake Forest, east of Market Square and one block from the Lake Forest Metra station.
ARCHIVES AND LIBRARY
We specialize in providing historical resources and information. People use our resources for:
- Discovering facts about the house in which they live
- Researching their ancestors or other local families
- Learning about the various businesses that are, and have been, a part of our community
- Finding buildings of historical significance in the community
- Studying maps and photographs from bygone eras
Our award-winning Directory of Local Historical Resources can help your search. It is available free of charge to researchers.
EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMS
We feature exhibits about various aspects of the community’s varied and significant history. Changing exhibits make each visit to the museum a new experience. Stop by to check out our latest exhibit or to share any ideas for an upcoming exhibit.
We sponsor a variety of programs each year based on the people, places and events that have touched our community in the past. Programs are often held in historically significant residences and public buildings. Recent programs include living history tours of Lake Forest Cemetery, tours and lectures about the art and architecture in the area, discussions on local businesses and organizations, and presentations on the history of fashion.
Joining the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Historical Society means you will receive first notice of upcoming events.
COLLECTIONS
The Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Historical Society has an extensive collection of artifacts including, but not limited to, photographs, maps, real estate records, house plans, scrapbooks, clothing, and business ephemera. We also have a wide variety of materials that can help you in your genealogical search such as census records, military records, obituaries, cemetery records and telephone directories. These artifacts are catalogued and preserved following the latest museum standards and document Lake Forest and Lake Bluff history. Archival materials and artifacts are made available to researchers on a regular basis. Please visit or contact our professional curatorial staff for information.
The museum collection provides the basis for an in-depth look at history through exhibitions and programs. This is a dynamic area that is constantly being updated. We are always appreciative of any donations to enhance our collection. Please think of the Historical Society when you are cleaning out your attics, closets and basements! Your donation to the collection is tax deductible.
PUBLICATIONS
The following publications are available for purchase at the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Historical Society:
- Walter Frazier: Frazier, Raftery, Orr & Fairbank Architects, Houses of Chicago’s North Shore, 1924-1970, by Kim Coventry and Arthur Miller
- Lake Forest Day: 100 Years of Celebration, by Laurietta Parsh
- Moving On: My Life Through the Twentieth Century and Today, by Virginia Fiester Frederick
- Lake Forest, Illinois: History and Reminiscences, 1861-1961, by Edward Arpee;
Supplement by Susan Dart
- Lake Forest Cemetery
- The Aldis Compound, by Dawn K. Kimbrell
Newsletter
The Historical Society publishes a newsletter three times a year to keeps our members updated on events and activities. Our most recent newsletters are archived online.
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