Lombard Historical Society

Lombard Historical Society As the stewards of Lombard’s heritage, we will continue to make history meaningful for the community.

🎬 Looking for something inspiring to do today? Join us for a screening of "Common Good: The York Center Co-op Story" and...
02/08/2025

🎬 Looking for something inspiring to do today? Join us for a screening of "Common Good: The York Center Co-op Story" and step into a powerful chapter of local history!

In 1947, 14 visionary families in DuPage County came together to create a cooperative community built on unity, fairness, and opportunity. Led by Louis Shirky, they raised $30,000 to buy a farm and establish a neighborhood where race, religion, and class were not barriers, but bonds. Despite facing incredible struggles—racial tensions, violence, and adversity—they forged a thriving community that proved the power of togetherness.

This documentary brings their inspiring story to life, showing how resilience, unity, and determination can transform lives and communities. It’s a must-see for anyone who believes in the power of community to create real change.

🎥 Join us TODAY at 2 PM! There are still a few seats left, so don’t miss out—register now to secure your spot! 🔽

➡️ Reserve your seat here for FREE: https://www.lombardhistory.org/new-events-1/2025/2/8/screening-of-common-good-the-york-center-co-op-story

Let’s come together to celebrate how the York Center Co-op made history and explore the lessons we can all learn from their legacy. See you there!

🌟 Celebrate Boy Scout Day! 🌟Today, we honor the incredible legacy of the Boy Scouts, a program that has been shaping lea...
02/08/2025

🌟 Celebrate Boy Scout Day! 🌟

Today, we honor the incredible legacy of the Boy Scouts, a program that has been shaping leaders and creating lifelong memories for over a century. 🎉 Whether you're a current scout, a former one, or simply a supporter, it's the perfect time to reflect on the values of teamwork, community, and service that Boy Scouts instill in young people everywhere.

To mark the occasion, we’re sharing a glimpse from our collection—photos from the 1967 Lilac Time Parade! Pictured here is the Cub Scouts float they created, showcasing their creativity and teamwork!

Our core exhibit of Lombard History is currently being updated, but once it's complete, you’ll be able to see a miniature model of the float on display in the Carriage House!

🎬 Ready for an inspiring weekend adventure? Come watch "Common Good: The York Center Co-op Story" and step into an extra...
02/08/2025

🎬 Ready for an inspiring weekend adventure? Come watch "Common Good: The York Center Co-op Story" and step into an extraordinary chapter of local history!

In 1947, 14 courageous families in DuPage County joined forces to create a cooperative community that would change the game forever. Led by visionary Louis Shirky, they raised $30,000 to purchase a farm, laying the foundation for a neighborhood where race, religion, and class didn’t divide – but united. Through intense struggles, including racial tensions and violence, they built a place of fairness, opportunity, and strength.

This documentary brings their story of resilience, unity, and triumph to life. It’s a must-see for anyone who believes in the power of community to create real change.

Join us for a FREE screening of this amazing film on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 2 PM. But don’t wait – spots are limited, so be sure to register today! 🔽

➡️ Sign up here to secure your seat: https://www.lombardhistory.org/new-events-1/2025/2/8/screening-of-common-good-the-york-center-co-op-story

🎥 Let’s celebrate how the York Center Co-op made history and discover what we can all learn from their legacy! See you there!

Step back in time to the early 1900s, where the Webb family spent relaxing afternoons playing tennis on their private co...
02/07/2025

Step back in time to the early 1900s, where the Webb family spent relaxing afternoons playing tennis on their private court, surrounded by the timeless beauty of their grand estate. The Webbs called their elegant Italianate Victorian home Wisteria Manor—a true treasure nestled at 119 N. Main Street in Lombard.

But to many Lombardians, this iconic home is better known by a different name: the Little Orphan Annie house! With its captivating history and unforgettable charm, 119 N. Main Street continues to be one of Lombard’s most fascinating landmarks.

While this home is a treasure of the past, please note that 119 N. Main St. is a private residence. We kindly ask that you respect the family living in this historic home and appreciate its beauty from afar.

Show your love for Lombard with our Lilac Emporium Gift Shop Valentine’s Day special! Save 30% on all apparel when you u...
02/07/2025

Show your love for Lombard with our Lilac Emporium Gift Shop Valentine’s Day special! Save 30% on all apparel when you use code LOVELOMBARD25 at checkout.

Stock up on cozy hoodies, stylish tees, and more—perfect for gifting or treating yourself! Hurry, this offer won’t last forever.

Shop now: https://lombard-historical-society.square.site/
Sale ends on Valentines Day...

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✨Today's the day!✨🌸 Sip, Savor, & Discover the Origins of Wedding Traditions! 🌸Have you ever wondered where the traditio...
02/06/2025

✨Today's the day!✨

🌸 Sip, Savor, & Discover the Origins of Wedding Traditions! 🌸

Have you ever wondered where the tradition of the white wedding dress came from? Or if bridesmaids were always part of the wedding day? Maybe you’ve been curious about the origins of the honeymoon? We’ve got the answers — and so much more! Join us as we explore the fascinating Victorian roots of these beloved wedding traditions.

✨ Join Rae & Kim for a Virtual Victorian Tea ✨
🗓 Today, Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 7:00 PM
☕ Grab your favorite warm beverage (tea, cocoa, coffee — whatever suits your fancy!) and a sweet treat, then settle in for cozy conversations and delightful wedding history. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into the past, all from the comfort of your home!

It’s free to attend, but registration is required. Want to add an extra bit of Victorian charm? You can purchase a tea cup and sweets for the full experience!

✨ Register now ➡ https://www.lombardhistory.org/new-events-1/2025/2/6/virtual-victorian-tea-party

Let’s make this evening one to remember with tea, treats, and all the timeless wedding history you never knew you needed! We can’t wait to sip and chat with you!

Did you know yesterday, February 5, was Bubblegum Day? Let’s take a trip back in time to visit Coleman’s store on Main S...
02/06/2025

Did you know yesterday, February 5, was Bubblegum Day? Let’s take a trip back in time to visit Coleman’s store on Main Street, right next to the Aurora, Chicago, and Elgin Railroad. Located just south of the iconic Deicke Building at Main & Ash Streets, this neighborhood grocery and candy store was a favorite spot in Lombard. You could pick up a piece of bubblegum along with your other goodies!
This picture is not dated.

🎬 Looking for something inspiring to do this weekend? Join us for a powerful screening of "Common Good: The York Center ...
02/06/2025

🎬 Looking for something inspiring to do this weekend? Join us for a powerful screening of "Common Good: The York Center Co-op Story" and discover a remarkable piece of local history! 🌟

In 1947, 14 families came together to form a cooperative community in DuPage County. Led by Louis Shirky, they raised $30,000 to buy a farm and create a neighborhood that broke barriers of race, religion, and class. Despite facing racial tensions and even acts of violence, they built a thriving community based on fair housing and opportunity for all.

This documentary tells the story of their resilience, unity, and determination to overcome the toughest challenges. You won’t want to miss this inspiring film that shows the power of community and the impact it can have on transforming lives.

Learn more about this incredible story at the screening of Common Good: The York Center Co-op Story on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 2 PM.

The event is FREE, but registration is required. Register below 🔽
https://www.lombardhistory.org/new-events-1/2025/2/8/screening-of-common-good-the-york-center-co-op-story

🎥 Don’t miss out – come see how the York Center Co-op made history.

🌸 Sip, Savor, & Discover the Origins of Wedding Traditions! 🌸Have you ever wondered where the tradition of the white wed...
02/05/2025

🌸 Sip, Savor, & Discover the Origins of Wedding Traditions! 🌸

Have you ever wondered where the tradition of the white wedding dress came from? Or if Victorians really had bridesmaids? Maybe you're curious about the origins of the honeymoon? Well, we've got the answers — and so much more! All these beloved wedding traditions have fascinating Victorian roots, and we’re here to take you on a delightful journey through history!

✨ Join Rae & Kim for a Virtual Victorian Tea ✨
🗓 Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 7:00 PM
☕ Grab your favorite warm beverage (tea, cocoa, coffee — whatever suits your fancy!) and a sweet treat as we dive into the quirky and charming wedding customs of the past. With cozy conversations and fun facts, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time, all from the comfort of your own home!

The best part? This program is free to attend, but registration is required. For an extra touch of Victorian charm, you can purchase a tea cup and sweets (because what's a tea party without them?!)

✨Register with the link ➡ https://www.lombardhistory.org/new-events-1/2025/2/6/virtual-victorian-tea-party

So, why not make it a fun evening of tea, treats, and timeless wedding history? Don’t miss out — we can’t wait to sip and chat with you!

✨ A Piece of History at the Sheldon Peck Homestead ✨At the Sheldon Peck Homestead, we proudly share the story of Old Cha...
02/05/2025

✨ A Piece of History at the Sheldon Peck Homestead ✨

At the Sheldon Peck Homestead, we proudly share the story of Old Charley, a Freedom Seeker who passed through the Peck House while on his journey to freedom in the 1850s. Family lore and the journal of Frank Peck, Sheldon’s son, provide a powerful glimpse into the involvement of the Peck family in the Underground Railroad.

Frank's journal details how their home served as a sanctuary for Freedom Seekers, offering shelter and support on their dangerous path toward liberty. Frank writes, “I have seen as many as 7 slaves sheltered under the roof I still own and still occupy that my parents were helping on to freedom." While Frank doesn’t specify how long they stayed, his recollections provide a first-hand account of the compassion and courage shown by the Peck family during this dark chapter of American history.

One poignant memory Frank shared was his encounter with Old Charley, a Freedom Seeker who left a lasting impression on him. As a young boy, Frank sat on Charley’s knee and asked him a question that reveals the innocence of youth and the stark realities of race at the time: “If your skin was rubbed off, would you be white too?” Charley also taught him a moving slave spiritual song—an experience Frank would never forget. This moment not only shaped Frank’s views but also reflected the deep, personal connections that formed between the Peck family and the people they helped.

The Peck Homestead was not just a home; it was a “deapot” (station) in the network of safe houses and secret routes that made up the Underground Railroad. The Peck family’s radical abolitionist beliefs made them a target, but they remained steadfast in their commitment to aiding those seeking freedom.

Through Frank’s journal and other family accounts, we know the Peck Homestead was a key site in the fight for freedom, offering sanctuary to countless brave men and women escaping slavery.

We are proud to preserve and share this legacy of courage and compassion at the Sheldon Peck Homestead.

✨Tonight’s the night! ✨Join us at 6 PM for a special guided tour of the Sheldon Peck Homestead. While the house is open ...
02/04/2025

✨Tonight’s the night! ✨

Join us at 6 PM for a special guided tour of the Sheldon Peck Homestead. While the house is open to visitors throughout the year, this tour offers a unique opportunity to learn about its rich history from a knowledgeable guide who will share the fascinating stories behind the home and its role in the Civil War.

Step inside the oldest house in Lombard and discover its significant connection to the Underground Railroad. As a verified Underground Railroad station in the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom, the Sheldon Peck Homestead is filled with history, including the story of Old Charley, a freedom seeker who found refuge with the Peck family.

The 1-hour tour will take you back in time and reveal the powerful impact Lombard had in the fight for freedom.

There’s still time to join us—spaces are available and the tour is free, but registration is required. Register below! 🔽
https://www.lombardhistory.org/new-events-1/2025/2/4/evening-tour-of-the-sheldon-peck-homestead

We look forward to seeing you at this exciting, historic event tonight!

On February 4, 1862, William Plum began his journey as a telegrapher in the Civil War. At just 16 years old, Plum sent a...
02/04/2025

On February 4, 1862, William Plum began his journey as a telegrapher in the Civil War. At just 16 years old, Plum sent a message to his parents in Cuyahoga Falls, letting them know he was joining the war effort. His mother, filled with worry, was heartbroken. His father, on the other hand, replied, “Come home and go back to school.” Undeterred, Plum was determined to serve. He approached Anson Stager, whom he knew, offering his services. Perhaps because of his youthful appearance and small build—or because Stager wanted to protect him—Stager told him, “No, Willie, you’re too small.”

Refusing to give up, Plum bypassed Stager and sent a message to Samuel Bruch, Stager’s assistant, in Louisville. Unaware of Stager’s rejection, Bruch replied, “Come immediately,” and instructed Plum to report to William G. Fuller in Lebanon, Kentucky, for training and transportation orders. Official records list Plum’s start date as February 4, 1862, though Plum himself recalled beginning on February 28, 1862.

If you're interested in learning more about William Plum’s remarkable life, be sure to check out "The Legacy of William R. Plum: Civil War Telegrapher, Lawyer, and Horticulturist" by Gerry Rader Watts, available at our Lilac Emporium Gift Shop!

Pictured below are a young Col. William Plum and an older Col. William Plum, standing with a crowd on Memorial Day. The exact date of these photos is unknown.

Join us tomorrow, Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 6 PM, for a special evening tour of the Sheldon Peck Homestead! Step ins...
02/04/2025

Join us tomorrow, Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 6 PM, for a special evening tour of the Sheldon Peck Homestead! Step inside one of Lombard’s most historic homes and discover how this unassuming residence, once home to renowned folk artist Sheldon Peck, played a pivotal role in one of the most important chapters of American history—the Civil War.

This event is a fantastic opportunity to explore the oldest house in Lombard and learn about its fascinating connection to the Underground Railroad. As part of the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom, the Sheldon Peck Homestead is a verified Underground Railroad station, and you’ll hear the inspiring story of Old Charley, a freedom seeker who lived with the Peck family.

The tour lasts about 1 hour and will transport you back in time as you uncover the powerful history of Lombard’s role in the abolitionist movement.

Spaces are still available, and tickets are free, but registration is required.
https://www.lombardhistory.org/new-events-1/2025/2/4/evening-tour-of-the-sheldon-peck-homestead

We can’t wait to welcome you to this exciting and historic event!

Today is Feed the Birds Day, a day to celebrate backyard bird feeders and wild birds. While we’re celebrating, we'll hap...
02/03/2025

Today is Feed the Birds Day, a day to celebrate backyard bird feeders and wild birds. While we’re celebrating, we'll happily settle for these yard birds! This photo, taken between 1910 and 1920, shows an unknown boy feeding the chickens at the Peck farm. The barnyard was located south of the home, near the intersection of Grace and Elm Streets.

With the recent spread of bird flu affecting wild and domestic birds, it’s a good reminder to take care when feeding them. While we enjoy this tradition, we also want to be mindful of the health and safety of our feathered friends during these challenging times.

🌱 Happy Groundhog Day! 🌱It’s official—looks like we’ll have 6 more weeks of winter! ❄☃Did you know that one reason Groun...
02/02/2025

🌱 Happy Groundhog Day! 🌱

It’s official—looks like we’ll have 6 more weeks of winter! ❄☃

Did you know that one reason Groundhog Day became popular in the United States comes from German weather lore? The tradition of celebrating Groundhog Day first took root in German communities in Pennsylvania. In Germany, there was a custom on Candlemas (February 2) known as "Badger Day" (Dachstag). If a badger emerged and saw its shadow on a sunny day, it was believed to predict an extra four weeks of winter. With Lombard’s large German immigrant population, this tradition may have found its way here long ago! Either way, we’re all hoping for an early spring and warmer weather soon! 🌷🦔

Due to scheduling conflicts, the Carriage House will close tomorrow at 1 P.M. However, the Sheldon Peck Homestead will r...
02/01/2025

Due to scheduling conflicts, the Carriage House will close tomorrow at 1 P.M. However, the Sheldon Peck Homestead will re-open for the first time this year to kick off Black History Month! The Sheldon Peck Homestead is open from 12 P.M. to 4 P.M on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

As the oldest home in Lombard, IL, the Sheldon Peck Homestead offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and work of Sheldon Peck. Known for his folk portraiture and his active involvement in the Underground Railroad, Peck lived in the home with his family until 1849. Come visit to learn more about the Peck family and their significant role in local history!

Today is  ! Today marks the anniversary of President Lincoln signing what would eventually be ratified as the 13th Amend...
02/01/2025

Today is ! Today marks the anniversary of President Lincoln signing what would eventually be ratified as the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States. Signed on February 1, 1865, the amendment was a pivotal moment in American history, following years of abolitionist efforts and the Civil War. It was a crucial step in the long journey toward equality for all.

The Sheldon Peck Homestead is proudly registered on the National Park Service Network to Freedom as a verified stop on the Underground Railroad. Sheldon Peck, an abolitionist and itinerant folk artist, used his home to support the fight against slavery. Old Charley, an African American man who had escaped slavery, lived with the Peck family for many years before leaving to fight in the Civil War. These individuals, alongside countless others, worked tirelessly to secure freedom and justice, laying the foundation for future progress in the ongoing struggle for equality.

If you want to learn more about the Peck Family, be sure to register for an evening tour of the Sheldon Peck Homestead on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 6 PM.
Tickets are FREE, but registration is required. You can register by clicking the link below!
https://www.lombardhistory.org/new-events-1/2025/2/4/evening-tour-of-the-sheldon-peck-homestead

Pictured below is Worth Peck, son of Frank Peck, standing in front of the Peck Homestead, taken in 1910.

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23 W Maple Street
Lombard, IL
60148

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The Lombard Historical Society

Late in 1969, a small coalition of Centennial committee members and volunteers, who had worked on a mini-museum led to the formation of the Lombard Historical Society. Mrs. Wallace became the first president. Lifetime and yearly membership opened through the first annual meeting.

At the meeting, on April 27, 1970, the Lombard Centennial, Inc., became a memory; with its remaining assets donated to the society, it became the benefactor in the launching of the Lombard Historical Society. Mayor Holloman proclaimed April 27-May3 as “ History Week” in honor of the new society, which at the end boasted 175 charter members.

After much study and search the society settled on 23 W. Maple Street where it would house its offices, collection, and display space. On August 2, 1971, the Village of Lombard purchased the almost 100-year-old home for the Society. Nine months later, under the direction of Mrs. Wallace, totaling thousands of volunteer hours the old residence was restored to its original state.

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