Six Months…Six Historical Society Programs
Summer 2009
Here is a recap of our very busy summer of programs and events…
It was a busy spring and summer for the Society, despite the rigors of preparing for moving all of our collections and furniture into storage by mid-October.
First, we thank the school and scout groups which visited before our closing day, including Tiger Scouts, Brownies and Cub Scouts from Roosevelt, Washington, Field and St. Paul of the Cross schools. Also, the entire third grade from Roosevelt School, under the guidance of Suzanne Kaplan.
Early in May, we met in Mary Wilson House to listen to Anne Lunde’s presentation on ‘Digging into the Past,’ a guide to finding resources in both the conventional and unexpected places for those interested in researching local history. Her presentation was augmented with examples of her own research in the Norwood Park neighborhood.
Our Museum was open Saturday mornings June through July for ‘last call’ at 41 South Prairie Avenue. Many folks came by to take one more look at our home, others had just moved to Park Ridge. All wishing us well with our ‘History on the Move’ project.
Jim Kingston’s presentation on ‘The Magic of Ships in Bottles,’ held at the Park Ridge Public Library in August, drew all ages interested in this time-honored artistry. Thanks to Jim for sharing his many years of experience in making ships in bottles, and for bringing so many of them to display for us.
In September, we presented our annual Antiques, Collectibles and Flea Market in Hodges Park. This is the Society’s longest-running program and once again brought together in Hodges Park a good group of vendors and residents interested in our Market. Thanks to Millie O’Brien and Paul Hansen for overseeing the Market again this year.
Captain Ralph Bishop presented a comprehensive history of the Park Ridge Fire Department in September. Ralph illuminated recollections of his personal and his family’s history of service in the Department using numerous projection slides and displays of Fire Department artifacts.
‘Spirits’ of Old Park Ridge’ once again pleased over 200 visitors to Town of Maine Cemetery in October. They heard our cast of ‘spirits’ speak of the life and times of many of the women and men interred there, who spent their lives in Park Ridge and enriched the heritage of our community. We salute Betsy Sklena and Mary Ellen Jones for producing the 2009 edition of this popular program.
