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Waukegan Historical Society Information

 

Historical Happenings -
Waukegan Historical Society

 

 

Waukegan: A History

The Waukegan Historical Society is pleased to announce their new publication Waukegan: A History by local historian/author Ed Link.

Waukegan is a city that has evolved from an area inhabited by Native Americans, to a trading post, to an agricultural hub, to a destination of industry, and finally to a service-based economy.  It is a city that reflects the unique cultures and heritages of people who have come from all over the world to call Waukegan their home. 

Ed Link’s lively text explores the rich and diverse history of Waukegan and takes the reader from its earliest beginnings to today.

Over 200 photographs, maps, and other images from the Waukegan Historical Society archives and other sources, including many never previously published, bring the story of Waukegan to life.

Book is available for purchase at the Waukegan History Museum -1917 N. Sheridan Road, Waukegan, IL 60087.

 

 

Exhibit: “THE CIVIL WAR: The War Efforts in Waukegan”

Description: The Waukegan History Museum, in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the start of the American Civil War (1861-1865), is proud to announce the new exhibit The Civil War: The War Efforts in Waukegan. 

The Civil War was one of the most difficult times in American history, and its effects were felt in Waukegan, Illinois.  Exhibit highlights include: the Underground Railroad and Waukegan residents who were a part of it, the first “84” men who enlisted in the war from the area and became known as “Company H, Waukegan Zouaves,” local men who fought in the 96th Illinois Infantry Regiment, and how people in Waukegan helped during the war. 

Soldiers from Waukegan including the drummer boys, Orion P. Howe and Lyston D. Howe are profiled along with the names of all Waukegan men who fought, as well as the ones who died, in Illinois regiments.  Artifacts on display include Abraham Lincoln’s signature, uniform pieces, weaponry, and a handmade American flag.

Exhibit is sponsored by the Waukegan Historical Society and the Waukegan Park District and will run through May 2012.

 

Tour: Beautiful Bowen Park Guided Tour

Location: Starts at the Waukegan History Museum (1917 N. Sheridan Rd. Waukegan, IL 60087)

Free By appointment

Description: Schedule a time to take a free guided tour of beautiful Bowen Park!  On the tour you will learn about the early years of the property when it was a farm, the 50 years when the Jane Addams Hull House operated the Bowen Country Club, and the later years as Waukegan’s largest park. The Bowen Country Club, operated by the Jane Addams Hull House of Chicago was a summer camp for the underprivileged children of Chicago that operated from 1912 to 1962.  You will learn about the buildings that were constructed for the camp and the many things that were offered to the campers.  Walking on the trails in the park, flowers and wildlife will be pointed out along with discussion on how the park’s natural habitat is being preserved. The tour will start outside of the Waukegan History Museum and will conclude with a tour of Lilac Cottage. The tour will last approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.  Walking will include hills, trails, and uneven ground.  Please contact the Waukegan History Museum to schedule a tour.

 

Exhibit: Victorian Decorations at the Waukegan History Museum

Location: Waukegan History Museum (1917 N. Sheridan Rd. Waukegan, IL 60087)

Free

Description: Come see the museum's decorated parlor tree and the elaborate setting for a holiday feast.

 

Tour: Tour of Homes

Tour of Homes is Sunday, June 24, 2012 - more information to follow.

 

 

Outreach Programs

Free History Programs from the Waukegan Historical Society and Waukegan Park District

For your organization, group, social event, or classroom.

Native American History of the Waukegan Area

*Early settlers of Little Fort

Waukegan and the Underground Railroad

Abraham Lincoln Goes to Waukegan

The Civil War: The War Efforts in Waukegan

*Waukegan’s Famous Civil War Drummer Boys

*The Early Industry Worker

“Firsts” in Waukegan

Waukegan: A History of Immigration

Lake Michigan History and the Lady Elgin Shipwreck

Waukegan’s African American History

Influential Women of Waukegan’s Past

Prominent Events and Visitors of Waukegan

Edward Amet and the Motion Picture Industry in Waukegan

Ray Bradbury: Waukegan’s Influence on a Visionary

Jack Benny: From Waukegan to Hollywood

*Haunted Waukegan

*“What-Cha-Ma-Call-It” History Trunk (hands on program)

*Guided Neighborhood Walking Tours

*for school groups only (all other programs are for both school and adult groups)

 

• Program length is 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Many programs are multimedia presentations with hands-on artifacts.
• Programs presented in the schools are based on Illinois Social Sciences Performance Standards.
• Programs can be given for multiple classrooms on the same day.
• Programs able to be scheduled to be given on a weekly basis.
• Presenter is the Supervisor of the Waukegan History Museum.
• 250 programs presented in the last 2 years reaching over 5,000 students and adults.

For more information and to schedule a free program, please call or email the Waukegan Historical Society.

Waukegan History Museum

1917 N. Sheridan Road

Waukegan, IL 60087

847-336-1859

museum@waukeganhistorical.org

www.waukeganhistorical.org

 

 

For Educators and Youth Leaders
All programs are free!
We offer:

• Guided Museum Tours (All Grades)
• Guided Bus Tours (All Grades)
• Classroom Presentations (All Grades)          
• Library Research (All Grades)
• Research assistance of Chicago Metro History Fair (All Grades)
• The History of Waukegan, Illinois Teacher’s Guide (4th Grade)

For more information please refer to the Historical Society website www.waukeganhistorical.org or call the Waukegan History Museum at the Haines Farmhouse 847-336-1859.