Lake Bluff History Museum

06/19/2026

Dads love trains! It's an almost universal factoid we just made up for Father's Day -- because we've got a great presentation on Sunday for dads and all who love trains:

"Lake Bluff Junction: How The Railroads Shaped Modern Lake Bluff."

It's a perfect outing for grown-up families looking to spend quality time with dad and everyone else who loves to talk about the railroads.

It's THIS SUNDAY, Father's Day. Here are the details:

Date: Sunday, June 21 at 2 p.m.
Where: Grace United Methodist Church Community Room (244 E. Center Avenue).
Cost: Free but registration requested: https://www.tickettailor.com/.../lakebluffhistory.../2237780

06/18/2026

Sunday is going to be very special on the Village Green when Lake Bluff's very own 2026 Community Choir Concert takes place. It's at 6 pm at the gazebo -- right in the heart of the village.

We hope to see you there!

Celebrate 250 Lake Bluff Style

06/18/2026

Think you know the story behind the iconic U-shaped barns on Sheridan Road? Think again.

The latest episode of Lake Bluff History Museum’s "View from the Bluff" podcast drops June 18!

We're diving into the history of Crab Tree Farm and its pioneering owner, Grace Durand.

In this episode, you'll discover how Grace used science to produce bacteria-free milk long before modern sanitary standards.

We also trace the dramatic 1915 standoff when she defended her farm gates against authorities during a county-wide anthrax scare.

Plus, see original 1920s blueprints from our archives detailing a lost plan for a 150-home development and a hidden waterfront dance hall.

Whether you’re a lifelong Bluffer or a curious newcomer, tune in to hear how this local landmark navigated the changing times.

Stream the Audio: https://sites.libsyn.com/616765/site

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwv8ARy9myROtmDphDZd94LknYn5nGw3n

06/16/2026

Looking for a meaningful Father’s Day outing with your dad? Skip the usual brunch crowds and take him on a deep dive into local history this Sunday by attending Lake Bluff History Museum’s Chautauqua-style program, "Lake Bluff Junction: How the Railroads Shaped Modern Lake Bluff."

It's a perfect outing for grown-up families looking to spend quality time with dad.

Museum treasurer and train aficionado Steve Kraus will outline how Lake Bluff’s destiny was written by steel rails long before it was the suburb we love today. This presentation explores how stage coach stops, military highways, speculative investments and an 1851 charter transformed our community.

What you’ll discover:

How a 5-hour trip from Chicago to Milwaukee (costing $2 to $4 back then—about $86 to $173 today!) changed regional travel forever.

--Why Lake Bluff’s very first station originally faced west, not east toward the lake as it is today.
--Stories of the pioneers, local investors and speculators who built our village's foundation — William and Mary Dwyer, Solomon Thatcher, Walter Gurnee, Henry Blodgett and others.
--How the 1877 railroad spur fueled the famous Lake Bluff Camp Meeting Association, followed by high-speed "Interurban" electric railcars.

Bring your dad, your family and your curiosity to learn how a single high-ridge trail shaped the future of Lake Bluff.

Date: Sunday, June 21 at 2 p.m.
Where: Grace United Methodist Church Community Room (244 E. Center Avenue).
Cost: Free but registration requested: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/lakebluffhistorymuseum/2237780

The Museum's Chautauqua series captures the original ideal of building community through lifelong learning. It's part of a trio of programs celebrating the USA's 250th anniversary, including our View from the Bluff podcast and Children’s History Time at the Lake Bluff Farmers Market.

To view the full lineup visit our website's event page: https://lakebluffhistory.org/events/

06/11/2026

Conflict, compromise and a legendary marching band! Episode 7 of our View from the Bluff podcast is officially live today, 6/11/26. Tune in to learn about Lake Bluff and the Great Lakes Navy Base.

In 1911, the U.S. government wanted to build a massive naval base right here in Lake Bluff. But for a dry town deeply rooted in the temperance movement, the idea of incoming sailors and rowdy bars did not go over well.

Tune in to discover how Lake Bluff fought the proposal, how the base ended up in North Chicago, and the surprising ways a clever Navy commander—and music legend John Philip Sousa—won over the community.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwv8ARy9myROtmDphDZd94LknYn5nGw3n

Audio: https://sites.libsyn.com/616765/site

Photo shows the land the Navy Base was built on.

06/10/2026

Only a few more days until the launch of the Museum's Chautauqua-style storytelling series! On June 14, come hear Kathy O’Hara give an interactive presentation on “The Remarkable Women of Lake Bluff.” From the stagecoach stop to the opera house, women left their mark on our village and the world beyond.

Seats for our debut program are free, but reservations are required due to limited space.

• When: Sunday, June 14, 2026, at 2:00 PM
• Where: Grace United Methodist Church (244 Scranton Avenue)
• Reserve Seats:

Chautauqua Programs: Remarkable Women of Lake Bluff – Grace United Methodist Church, 244 E. Center Ave., Sun Jun 14, 2026 - Lake Bluff History Museum is reviving the “Chautauqua-style” program — a format rooted in the village’s history as a popular late-19th century summer resort known as ...

06/05/2026

We are looking for patriotic cars!

To celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, the Lake Bluff History Museum Auto Show on Saturday June 27 is debuting a special exhibition space dedicated entirely to red, white and blue vehicles.

Already registered? Email [email protected] and let us know if your car is red, white or blue (or a combo) so we can feature it in this premier area.

Not registered yet? Do sign up now to guarantee your spot in the show. Visit lakebluffhistory. org -- the Auto Show registration link is on the home page.

See you in downtown Lake Bluff on Saturday June 27 from 2 to 5 pm!

Questions? Email [email protected]

06/05/2026

We often mention our Chautauqua-style programs, but many people ask what Chautauqua actually means.

Chautauqua gatherings were the late-19th-century equivalent of TED Talks. They served as an educational platform built on four pillars: arts, education, recreation, and religion.

The name comes from a Seneca word for an hourglass-shaped lake in western New York, where the first Chautauqua Assembly took place in 1874. Two years later, a group of Methodist businessmen led by Solomon Thatcher founded the Lake Bluff Camp Meeting Association. It adopted those same four pillars, drawing thousands of people to Lake Bluff every summer for speakers, music and debates on the era's major questions.

This summer and fall, Lake Bluff History Museum is bringing Chautauqua back with a series of Sunday afternoon programs led by local historians. The first two events are:

Remarkable Women of Lake Bluff
• Sunday, June 14 at 2 p.m.
• Grace United Methodist Church Community Room (244 E. Scranton Avenue).
• Discover the stories of the women who shaped our community's history, culture and civic life.

Railroad Junction: How the Railroads Shaped Modern Lake Bluff
• Sunday, June 21 at 2 p.m.
• Grace United Methodist Church Community Room (244 E. Scranton Avenue).
• Learn how the arrival of the railroad transformed Lake Bluff into a permanent village.

The events are free, but registration is requested. Please visit our website to reserve your spot: https://lakebluffhistory.org/events/lake-bluff-stories-chautauqua-style/

06/03/2026

Brothers Paul and Jay Risk stopped by the Museum today and took a nostalgic trip down memory lane with our communication manager Adrienne Fawcett, reminiscing about growing up on Briar Lane in the late 1950s.

From catching smelt and climbing beach rocks to roaming the wooded ravines, their childhood was full of classic Lake Bluff adventures. They also shared fond memories of playing with friends from the Lake Bluff Children’s Home—an experience that deeply influenced their lives.

Guided by a foundation of service from their parents, both brothers dedicated their lives to helping others: Jay became an Episcopal priest, and Paul went into social work with Child Protective Services.

We love hearing how Lake Bluff shapes the lives of our residents. Thank you, Paul and Jay!

06/02/2026

See you in downtown Lake Bluff July 27 from 2 to 5 pm!