Selling pumpkins at Schneider Farms, Glenview and Hibbard Roads, c. 1966. Farm stands were once familiar sights in west Wilmette.
A good time was had by all as a large crowd gathered to welcome Rick Kogan and Charles Osgood to the museum for an hour of pictures and stories drawn from their wide-ranging new book, Sidewalks: Portraits of Chicago.
Exhibit Opening Reception
March 4, 2007
Throngs of well-wishers joined us to celebrate the opening of two very special exhibits: "Greetings from Wilmette," a fabulous collection of local photographs by Ron Testa, and "All Aboard, Wilmette!" a nostalgic exploration of the role of rail travel in shaping the history of the village and the North Shore. Photography buffs, train enthusiasts, and interested visitors of all kinds mingled to revel in Ron's colorful views of Wilmette and to explore their own memoires of train travel. Kids of all ages got a special thrill out of working the equipment in the replica North Shore Line motorman's cab, whose side windows give a "view" of Greenleaf Avenue painted by Wilmette artist Carol Krofl. It was a thoroughly enjoyable Sunday afternoon at the Museum.
At the Wilmette Historical Society's 42nd Annual Meeting, featured speaker Gary T. Johnson, president of the Chicago History Museum, shared with us the exciting new exhibits and activities at the Chicago History Museum as it showcases its extensive renovations (and new name!) and celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2007. Mr. Johnson spoke of Chicago as one of a handful of American cities of truly global importance, and of the Chicago History Museum's efforts to explore this dimension. The museum's new slogan, "Where Chicago begins," highlights his aim of making the museum the first stop for tourists, including the seven million foreign visitors who come to Chicago every year.
Before Mr. Johnson’s talk, members approved the Society’s slate of officers for 2007.
Museum members and friends enjoyed a picturesque visit to Crab Tree Farm. Grazing horses and scampering chickens provided an ideal background to the extraordinary collection of Arts and Crafts furnishings, paintings, prints, photographs and books by Gustav Stickley and his American and British contemporaries. Guests were able to tour several original farm buildings designed by architect S. S. Beman as well as walk among the grounds designed by landscape architect Jens Jenson. For many visitors the highlight of the tour was walking through the "Ellis Bungalow," recently constructed using specifications printed in The Craftsman publication in 1903. Harvey Ellis worked for Gustav Stickley and is known for bringing artistry to Stickley furniture by incorporating intricate inlaid designs in his pieces.
This was an exhilarating visit to a very special place, and we are very grateful to the owner of Crab Tree Farm and our guides for making it possible.
Indian Hill Estates: Its History and Development from 1926 to the Present Ms. Connie Casey presented a lecture on the history and development of Wilmette's Indian Hill Estates subdivision. The Indian Hill Estates subdivision is a 170-acre development north of Lake Avenue between Hunter and Hibbard Roads. Beginning in 1926, the development was promoted as an "ideal community" and laid out by architect Philip Maher who created its signature winding roads. The lecture featured slides of architecturally significant homes as well as information on the architects themselves and their impact on Wilmette.
In conjunction with the lecture, a new Guide to Indian Hill Estates has been printed and is available at the Museum for $2. In in, Connie Casey presents her history of the Indian Hill Estates area and gives brief biographies of the relevant architects. There is also a guide to more than forty significant homes in the area which can be followed using the enclosed map.
From to time the Wilmette Historical Society has sponsored Auto Historica, one of the most prestigious and innovative auto events in the Chicagoland area. Follow the link below to view photographs from the 2001 Microcar and Minicar Show.
View Exhibit (Courtesy of www.microcar.org)