Lake Bluff History Museum

05/29/2026

Save the Date for the Lake Bluff History Museum Auto Show — the most fabulous classic car auto show around. The fun returns to downtown Lake Bluff on Saturday, June 27, from 2 to 5 p.m.
To mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, we are going PATRIOTIC! Tthis year’s event features a new, dedicated exhibition space for red, white and blue vehicles.
The main show will feature our traditional lineup of classic, vintage and custom vehicles, including muscle cars, imports, hot rods and trucks.
Attendees can purchase food and drinks from local downtown merchants. Free parking is available at the Metra station, and accessible parking is located in the Walnut Street lot.

Vehicle registration is open on our website , lakebluffhistory.org

05/29/2026

Save the Date for the Lake Bluff History Museum Auto Show -- the most fabulous classic car auto show around. The fun returns to downtown Lake Bluff on Saturday, June 27, from 2 to 5 p.m.

To mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, we are going PATRIOTIC! Tthis year's event features a new, dedicated exhibition space for red, white and blue vehicles.

The main show will feature our traditional lineup of classic, vintage and custom vehicles, including muscle cars, imports, hot rods and trucks.

Attendees can purchase food and drinks from local downtown merchants. Free parking is available at the Metra station, and accessible parking is located in the Walnut Street lot.

Vehicle registration is open online: https://lakebluffhistory.org/exhibitor-registration/

05/28/2026

The fifth episode of our new podcast, View from the Bluff, drops today, Thursday, May 28.

Hosts Kathy O'Hara and Joanna Rolek take a deep dive into the legacy of the Lake Bluff Children’s Home. Founded in 1894 during a severe economic recession, the institution grew to span the entire 200 block of Scranton Avenue, providing a safe haven for thousands of children over its 75-year history.

In this episode, you'll learn how local benefactors funded the facility, how its leadership came directly from our community, and how the children became an integral part of village life by attending local schools.

This 16-episode series is produced in partnership with the Lake Bluff 250 Committee to honor the USA’s upcoming anniversary.

Choose how you tune in:

Stream the Audio: https://sites.libsyn.com/616765/site
(or search for View from the Bluff on your favorite podcast app.)

Watch with Visuals on our Lake Bluff History Museum YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwv8ARy9myROtmDphDZd94LknYn5nGw3n

05/15/2026

Did you get your surplus trash to the curb for the village's recent big-item pick-up? It made us nostalgic for the old days, when garbage piled up right in town where the Public Safety Building is today, 45 East Center Avenue. This photo from 1971 shows a police car and village truck from the pre-GROOT era, plus garbage bags being dropped off by residents.

What did it smell like on a hot summer day? 😣

05/14/2026

Episode 3 Alert: Step Into Lake Bluff’s "Leafy Temple"!
Ever wonder why early visitors flocked to our shoreline in the late 19th century? Episode 3 of our premier podcast series, View from the Bluff, drops today!

In this episode, museum co-founder Kathy O’Hara and Joanna Rolek (executive director of the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce) step back in time to explore the Lake Bluff Camp Meeting.

Discover how our quiet lakeside bluffs transformed into the place-to-be summer resort and a prominent "Daughter of Chautauqua." Learn how this unique American movement blended education, entertainment and community debate right here in our village.

This 16-episode initiative is a cornerstone of the Museum’s community celebrations and is made in partnership with the Lake Bluff 250 Committee. And it comes in two formats:

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

Listen to the Audio: https://sites.libsyn.com/616765/site

Did you know about our Chautauqua roots? Let us know in the comments!

Lake Bluff History Museum is launching its first-ever podcast series. In honor of the USA’s 250th anniversary, we’ve teamed with the Lake Bluff 250 committee to create 16 episodes of curated local history — totaling 250 minutes of storytelling. Museum co-founder Kathy O’Hara and Joanna Rolek...

04/30/2026

Lake Bluff History Museum is launching its first-ever podcast series about the stories that made Lake Bluff ... Lake Bluff!

In honor of the USA’s 250th anniversary, we’ve teamed with the Lake Bluff 250 committee to create 16 episodes of curated local history — totaling 250 minutes of storytelling.

Join museum co-founder Kathy O’Hara and Joanna Rolek (director of Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce) as they discuss Lake Bluff’s most fascinating chapters. Whether you’re a lifelong resident, curious newcomer or a far-away bluffer who left your heart here, this series offers a front-row seat to the legends, scandals and triumphs that define Lake Bluff.

What to Expect:
• Audio & Video: Watch the conversations or listen on the go
• Expert Insight: Deep dives into the Artists Colony, mysteries from Crab Tree Farm, Lake Bluff’s reputation as The Most Patriotic Town in America, the secrets of the Rondout Train Robbery … and more.

In addition to O'Hara and Rolek, the podcast team includes Bruce Himmelblau with Blue Sky Video Productions, Terry Moran, Danny McMurray, Fred Koch, Nancy Leone, Lyndy Jensen, Adrienne Fawcett and Pam Russell.

New episodes of View from the Bluff will drop every Thursday starting April 30 in audio AND video! Here are the links:

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

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

04/30/2026

These two had so much fun recording the Museum's first-ever podcast these past few weeks. It's called "View from the Bluff," and in 16 episodes it covers 250 minutes of Lake Bluff history.

Our first episode "Why Lake Bluff?" launches today, April 30, and we'll add a new one each Thursday. We created this in partnership with the Lake Bluff 250 committee in honor of the US's 250th anniversary.

Join Kathy O’Hara and Joanna Rolek as they explore Lake Bluff's joys, dramas, controversies and more! Click on the links below to watch the video or listen to the audio:

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

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

04/29/2026

Why Lake Bluff? It’s a question we love asking newcomers and old-timers alike. And the first episode of our new podcast helps lay the framework for why people chose this spot on the far North Shore to begin with. The first episode is aptly titled "Why Lake Bluff?"

Produced in partnership with the Lake Bluff 250 Committee, the View from the Bluff podcast series explores the unique local lore and history that define our community. Join museum co-founder Kathy O’Hara and Joanna Rolek as they discuss the legends and events that shaped the village!

We'll drop a new episode every Thursday for the next 16 weeks in both audio and video formats, starting on April 30.

Click the image to watch the podcast on YouTube.

Click this link for the audio version: https://sites.libsyn.com/616765/site

Lake Bluff History Museum is launching its first-ever podcast series. In honor of the USA’s 250th anniversary, we’ve teamed with the Lake Bluff 250 committee to create 16 episodes of curated local history — totaling 250 minutes of storytelling. Museum co-founder Kathy O’Hara and Joanna Rolek...

04/29/2026

If you enjoy singing, what's more fun than being a part of a choir?!! Singers are needed for a Lake Bluff volunteer community choir to perform in a concert at the Lake Bluff gazebo on Sunday, June 26.

🎵 This concert will help kick off Lake Bluff’s celebration of our nation’s 250th birthday.

🎵 All vocal parts are needed for the concert to be a success. High school students through senior citizens invited to join.

🎵 The community choir and soloists will sing songs from America’s songbook that celebrate our nation’s outstanding musical heritage.

🎵 Rehearsals will be held in June to prepare for the concert.

🎵 Contact Harry Nicol at 847-502-1877 or Janie Jerch 847-334-8766 for more information or to sign up.