Glen Ellyn Historical Society

05/27/2026

After extensive public input and feedback, the Glen Ellyn Public Art Workgroup has selected artist Jason Watts to create a new seven-panel digital art installation for the Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main Street. Sponsored by the Village of Glen Ellyn, the mural will commemorate America’s 250th anniversary while celebrating Glen Ellyn’s history, community spirit, and longstanding commitment to public art. Watts’ design will present a cohesive historical timeline across seven 8-by-8-foot panels, creating a lasting public artwork for residents and visitors to enjoy.
The display is expected to be installed by the end of June, with plans for it to be in place in time for Glen Ellyn’s Independence Day celebration.

05/24/2026

McKee Preservation Group Inc. Plants Gardens On Property Near Stacy’s Tavern Museum

Just two blocks west from Stacy’s Tavern Museum on St. Charles Road, the McKee Preservation Group was gifted with land on the GEHS property to plant side by side gardens that illustrate and educate two forms of agriculture that existed in DuPage County prior to the forced removal of the Potawatomi from the County in 1834.
Known as the Three Sister Mounds the gardens contain corn, beans and squash. “Each sister supports the others, just as community members do in relationships and are rooted in helping and respecting others.” It is the hope of the McKee Preservation Group and the Glen Ellyn Historical Society that if you take away just one thing from this comparative garden it is this; "Learning to see things as others see them, we learn to respect one another.”
Volunteers helped plant the garden and Stacy’s Museum was open for tours from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM on May 23, the planting day. For any questions concerning the McKee Preservation Group check out their website at www.fundthecenter.org.

Photo Caption: GEHS volunteers and McKee Preservation Group volunteers planted the Native American Gardens in great planting weather, Saturday, May 23.

05/18/2026

Kirk and the McKee House Preservation group will be having their planting event of the Native American and Early Settlers gardens at the 551 Geneva Rd. property on Saturday, 5/23/26 beginning at 11AM. Though we are not really sponsoring the event, we are donating the use of the land for this endeavor. Any support for the event or getting the word out, as this is a hands on event of the actual planting of the gardens would be appreciated. Especially to Kirk as he has put in a lot of his own labor into making this happen.

05/16/2026

Glen Ellyn Historical Society Presents 12th Annual Vintage Auto Fest - Sat. June 6 - 800 N. Main St.

The 12th Annual Glen Ellyn Historical Society Vintage Auto Fest is Saturday, June 6, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The location is 800 N. Main Street, Glen Ellyn in an area known as Stacy’s Corners. The entire event is free, no admission charge. Come see the antique and vintage automobiles that introduced the auto industry in our country. Each entry is identified with a poster and everyone has the opportunity to vote for the People’s Choice Award. Sharing the space with cars is the famous Stacy’s Tavern Museum which is open to the public with no admission charge. In the Glen Ellyn History Center, also on the property, there are family craft activities, auto history lectures, and Stacy’s Corners Store to investigate historic themed items for sale.
Registration of the Vintage Fest can be made by contacting Exec. Dir. Dan Schoeneberg at 630-469-1867, e-mailing [email protected], and checking in at the History Center Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM beginning May 26 to June 4.
On the Auto Fest grounds Heavenly Hot Dogs Refreshment Stand is featured, and tours of Stacy’s Museum are 11:00 Am to 3:00 PM.

Photo Story: Lucille Manak and her son Jim Manak Jr. pose with their family's 1953 Cadillac Fleetwood 62 antique automobile. Jim Manak Sr. organized the first Antique Auto Show for the Glen Ellyn Historical Society in 2014. He was a member of the GEHS and also enjoyed owning and traveling in antique autos. Jim passed away two years ago but his son carries on the Manak tradition of acquiring and enjoying antique autos. Jim Manak Sr. won many trophies in his auto life even as far away as New York. His wife Lucille likes to tell the story that when she first met Jim - he called at her home driving a Hupmobile.

05/10/2026

Historian and Actor Terry Lynch Becomes John Adams

Right before the eyes of over 65 audience members in the Glen Ellyn History Center, Sat. May 9 at 2:00 PM, Terry Lynch is John Adams, 2nd President of the United States. Lynch as Adams described in detail the Boston Massacre and what happened with the trials in London that went on for five day. John Adams tried to convince the audience that the true birthday of the United States of America was always July 2 not July 4. That a great history lesson John Adams gave to the audience! He was a true patriot.

05/04/2026

Historian and Actor Terry Lynch Brings to Life John Adams: A Lawyer in Adversity

The Glen Ellyn Historical Society presents historian and actor Terry Lynch, Saturday May 9 at 2:00 PM at the Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main Street as he portrays the 2nd President of the United States, John Adams. Adams was a Founding Father and a lawyer who could handle adversity and be part of living history. The program highlights include his challenging decision to defend the British soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre which is often framed as a movement of “adversity” and principle. Tickets are $10 for adults and FREE for GEHS members and students. Call 630-469-1867 and check the website at www.gehs.org.

Photo Caption: Actor and Historian Terry Lynch presents a program on Saturday, May 9, at 2:00 PM in the Glen Ellyn History Center, "John Adams: A Lawyer in Adversity.” 800 N. Main Street, Glen Ellyn.

05/01/2026

GLEN ELLYN HISTORICAL SOCIETY - VINTAGE MARKET FUNDRAISER: A GEHS FUNDRAISER - THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, APRIL 30TH - MAY 2ND, 10:00 AM TO 5:00 PM PM - CALL 630-469-1867 - CHECK www.glenellynhistory.org- Glen Ellyn History Center - 800 N Main Street, Glen Ellyn , IL 60137

Contact Person: Jean Jeske - 630-793-9404 [email protected]

Glen Ellyn Historical Society’s Vintage and Antique Market Great Success May 1 and May 2

The annual Vintage Market Fundraiser for the Glen Ellyn Historical Society was scheduled for Thursday, April 30, through Saturday, May 2. The hours were 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and the location was the Anderson Multi-Purpose Room at the Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main St. Folks and families from all over DuPage County attended this fund raiser sale. The vintage and antique items donated were not only interesting but reasonably priced! There were Glenbard West yearbooks from the 50’s, 78 RPM records from the 5-’s and 6-’s and antique furniture that would add charm to everyone’s home. Next on the GEHS Calendar is a program by Terry Lynch titled “Countdown to 250: Celebrating Our Freedom. Call 630-469-1867 and check the website at www.gehs.org.

Photo caption: Families enjoyed shopping through the vintage and antiques for sale as did their kids.

04/14/2026

04/13/2026

04/13/2026

2026 Olympic Silver Medal Winner for Speed Skating Gets Congratulation from Glen Ellyn Hometown
Sunday, April 12 at 2:00 PM in the Glen Ellyn History Center, Ethan Cepuran, Glen Ellyn resident, received congratulations from over 150 friends and relatives gathered to welcome him and shake his hand. All ages were there to meet him and hear all about his experiences. A video of the very beginning of Ethan’s speed skating career at two years of age was shown. The video continued to show all the prizes and accomplishments Ethan earned as an award winning speed skater. The Glen Ellyn Historical Society and Maplewood Public House hosted the event. Teachers from Ben Franklin, Hadley Middle School , and Glenbard West High School were there to shake his hand and share memories of his school days. Susan Smentek from the Glen Ellyn Park District announced there would be a skating rink in the Downtown Park being developed.
Photo Caption: Ethan Cepuran shares his medals and talks about being a speed skater to the children who came to meet their hero.
Photo Caption: Ethan Cepuran shares his medals and talks about being a speed skater to the children who came to meet their hero.