Ela Historical Society

08/29/2026

3 weeks from today! 11-4 pm 2026 History Day and Artisan Market! Our 50th Anniversary as a Museum! We hope to see you there! If you would like to help volunteer that day please sign up here! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B45ACA92EA5FB6-65072819-history

08/22/2026

NOTICE: The Board of Directors of the Ela Historical Society has changed their meeting date to meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7pm. Our next meeting will be Thursday September 10 at 7:00pm

08/22/2026

We are remembering one of our past President's birthday. Spencer Loomis was born 105 years ago on Sunday. Here are some pictures of his life here in Lake Zurich.

08/19/2026

We are excited to showcase a hoop dance performance by Starr Chief Eagle at the 2026 History Day and Artisan Market! Our 50th Anniversary as a Museum! 9/19, 11-4 pm at 95 E. Main St. Lake Zurich.

Starr Chief Eagle will provide an interactive and educational dive into Lakota culture that will explore the language, art, and knowledge of Lakota people. During her presentation she will perform the rare tradition of Hoop Dancing in which she uses up to 22 hoops to create several designs, shapes, and creatures to tell a story. Hands-on activities will be provided upon request, by calling upon Hoop Dance volunteers from audience.

Starr Chief Eagle, an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, is a renowned artist, educator, and master Hoop Dancer. Born with the Lakota name “First Star” and later honored with the name “Brave Star Woman” in adulthood, Starr brings a deep connection to her heritage into every performance. Originally from South Dakota and now based in Chicago with her family, she has shared her art worldwide—gracing stages at prestigious venues including the Smithsonian and the Field Museum.

With over 30 years of Hoop Dance experience, Starr holds degrees in American Indian Studies and Lakota Studies. She was named “Educator of the Year” by the Crazy Horse Memorial in 2018. In 2024 and 2025, Starr earned the title of Intermountain Hoop Dance Champion. Her performances go beyond entertainment; they are immersive educational experiences that weave together the Lakota language, traditional storytelling, and cultural teachings—inviting audiences of all ages and backgrounds to connect through the power of dance and heritage.

Schedule of events to come!

08/14/2026

Over 40 artisan vendors will surround our beautiful park and parking lot at our 2026 History Day and Artisan Market! Our 50th Anniversary as a Museum! 95 E. Main St. Lake Zurich. Come get an early start on your holiday shopping 9/19, 11-4 pm!  Multiple vendors also donated prizes towards our raffle basket, so please come buy some raffle tickets and support our historical society!

Our 2026 Artisans:
Vicky's Twisted Bloom
Dulze Vida Bakery
Hartz Farm LLC & Byrne’s Bees
Big Al’s Lemonade Shake-ups
Echo Apothecary
Ancient Oaks
En Pointe Interiors
Ma and Pa's Candy
Aunt Katies Art
Touch of Jade Designs
Wood Designs by Amy
The Collector’s Agency- Vintage
The Bond Bar Permanent Jewelry
Becky's Beautiful Beads
Midwest Magnet Company
Juan's Photo Hut
Uniquely Q
Sue's Sewing Room
Stu’PEN’dous Beaded Pens & Accessories
Rollicking Buckaroo Pepper Jam and Seasoning Blends
Suhan's Creations
PEACES
TNW Creative Edge
Creations Made With Passion
Jen’s Pens and Creations
Dragonfly Dreams Lavender
Vao's Art Shop
JRC Handcrafted Whips
The Working Q Landscape
Muddy Waters Pottery
Elements of Nature
Lake Zurich Jewelers
What's Baking?!
Sheepwreck Farm Goat Milk Soap and Lotion
DMC Designs
Janet's Egg art and more
Little Luxe Resin Co.
Linda's Lovelies
Vess's Best Vestments
Sung & Shine - Jewelry and Accessories.
Loops & Swirls
Scorch the Earth

Come for these:
~Historical 18in doll dresses
~Sourdough breads, sourdough pastry, cookies, cakes
~Earrings, bracelets, and keychains
~Handmade wreaths and bows
~Honey, pumpkins, gourds, other farm grown products
~Goat Milk Soap and lotion. Handmade lip balm, dog shampoo bars, dog paw salve.
~Baked goods, pastries,cookies,cakes,pies
~Personalized magnets/bottle openers and photo jewelry
~Custom nylon whips for cosplay and sport whip cracking
~Resin crafts - jewelry, household items and decor
~Customizable beaded pens, keychains, wine stoppers, and sock/pen matching sets
~Stuffies and crochet items
~Permanent Jewelry
~Fabric tote bags, zipper bags, table runners, key fobs, cord keepers, decorated towels, pot holders, gift card holders
~Magnesium oil sprays and creams, beard oils, facial and lip balms, pet balm, plant Salves and Tinctures, body scrubs, milk bath, v***r rub, deodorant, room fresheners, eye glass holders, pot handle holders, magnets, and catnip toys, small display of beaded bracelets, rings and keychains
~Lavender Products
~Beaded jewelry, bag charms, sun catchers, pens and accessories
~Hand crafted heirloom quality woodcrafts
~Hand made gold and silver jewelry
~Paintings, Collages, Sun Catchers, Odd & End items
~Cotton Candy, nostalgic candy, candy gift boxes, Ma & Pa's Merch
~Customized Tumbler cups and hand made jewlery
~I will be selling one of a kind jewelry pieces and also crochet items
~Prints of pictures taken on my film camera
~Hand made pottery
~Egg art, rustic weld, kitchen towels, wire wrap jewelry
~Layered lake maps; sports stadium maps; national and state park maps; travel maps; misc home decor
~Beaded pens, wristlets, bottle stoppers, keychains, lanyards, badge reels
~Handmade fused glass succulents
~Wire wrapped and spiritual jewelry and accessories
~Hair Wraps, Fairy Hair
~Trees, shrubs and natives
~Handmade History Journals
~Art, hand-built jewelry and other fashionable accessories and attire
~Handcrafted home decor
~Pepper Jam, Seasoning Blends, Scented Soy Candles and giftsets
~Hand crafted pipe cleaner flowers in mini pots and baskets.
~Sewing items- kitchen items such as, but not limited to bowl cozies, pie totes, dish mats. Bookish items, such as blind date with a book, journal & pen pouches, kindle covers, bookmarks. Seasonal home decor
~Wood and resin bookmarks, page holders, candle holders, puzzle lid holders, keychains
~Lemonade Shakeups
~Indian Food/Hot dogs

08/09/2026

Come get an old-fashioned tin type photograph from Chris Olsen and Dagnabbit Studio at 2026 History Day and Artisan Market! Our 50th Anniversary as a Museum! 9/19 from 11-4 pm!

08/09/2026

08/07/2026

Mark your calendars for 2026 History Day and Artisan Market! Our 50th Anniversary as a Museum! On 9/19 from 11-4 pm! We have over 40 artisan vendors surrounding our beautifully tree-lined Lion’s park, come experience a day celebrating our local history! As we celebrate the nations 250th anniversary we are celebrating our own 50th anniversary as a museum! Free cake from us and ice cream from the LZ Lions Club! Over 30 raffle prizes to keep this event going! If you are a local business, and would like to donate a raffle prize. Please reach out to us. We would love your support! We would also love to invite any Boy Scout or Girl Scout groups to come set up a table with a craft or anything fun for Kids to do and learn from! 

08/05/2026

August 5, 2026

We at Ela Historical Society are very sad to report the recent passing of our beloved friend and board member Phil Gardner just this Monday, August 3. He had been in a tough fight with multiple myeloma cancer for over 10 years. Phil had served on our board since 2019 and was one of our most active members. He always enjoyed helping where ever he was needed, and was a joy to work with. Phil loved creating historical exhibits, for both our museum and our local library, and enjoyed giving museum tours and interacting with our visitors. One of his great talents was researching places, things or people, and finding the pertinent information needed reguarding them. He did an awesome job helping us gather and preserve information about our community and Ela Township, and we will sorely miss him.

07/30/2026

We are proud to have 3 Union Civil War groups coming to 2026 History Day and Artisan Market! Our 50th Anniversary as a Museum! 9/19 11-4 pm, Lion's Park. You can watch re-enactors, venture into their camps and see a 1,500lb replica cannon! To this free, educational, and family friendly event we will welcome back the 1st Michigan Engineers & Mechanics Company E, 1st Illinois Lite Artillery Company B and the Highland Guards 19th Illinois Company E. 11-4 pm!