Where History Is Happening

Links to some upcoming events:

Heritage Month in Naperville
Throughout the month
In celebration of Heritage Month, various activities for folks of all ages will be available sponsored by the City, the Park District, Naper Settlement, the DuPage Children's Museum and North Central College. See their website for a list of the events.

Civil War Days at Naper Settlement
Saturday and Sunday
May 14 and 15
10am until 4pm
More than 300 Civil War re-enactors camp on site, providing a living view of the past. When the bugle sounds each day at 2:30 p.m, troops from the North and the South charge into battle with cannons booming. Afterward, see the work of the Civil War surgeons as they demonstrate 19th century medical techniques.
$12 adults, $11 seniors, $8 youth (4-17)

Elmhurst Museum Day
Sunday, May 16,
11am until 5pm
Enjoy free activities, admission to Elmhurst's four Museums and a trolley ride to each museum in celebration of the important role museums play in the community. All ages welcome.
At the Elmhurst Historical Museum, tour the exhibit, "Dwellings: a Study in Residential Architecture", and see a magic-themed video presentation. Enjoy a family craft activity and complimentary refreshments.
At the Theatre Historical Society of America, children are invited to complete a crossword puzzle highlighting famous theatres to win a prize. Adults may view a new exhibit featuring vintage usher uniforms.

Chicago Speakeasy Tour
Wednesday, May 12
6pm until 8pm
Join Preservation Chicago for "Drinking in Your History," with author Sean Parnell at the Green Door Tavern. Tickets are $25 and available only in advance.
Ticket price includes 2 drink tickets, light appetizers, a copy of Parnell's new book, "Historic Bars of Chicago," AND a one-year membership to Preservation Chicago.
The building housing the Green Door Tavern, one of the most historic in Chicago, was built in 1872, one of the first constructed after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and one of the last wood-frame buildings allowed to be built within such proximity to the Loop.

More Winners from April's Author Events

With National Library Week occurring this month, Kate's been busy at several events meeting readers and writers of all ages. Many of those readers and writers dropped their name into the basket for a chance to win a family pass to the Naper Settlement living history museum and we have winners!

Congratulations to Helen of Bolingbrook and Jovanka of Chicago! Your family passes are in the mail so you can take advantage of this gorgeous spring weather to walk around the Naper Settlement grounds.

Highlights of this month's author events included:

• A stretch limo which ferried the authors from a satellite parking lot to the Fountaindale Library making every author feel like JK Rowling!
• Meeting another author who went to the same parties Kate went to while in college
• Meeting other writers and illustrators at the Creative Chicago Expo
• Hearing fellow authors read from their works at the Bellwood Library

While many schools, libraries and community groups don't schedule author events over the summer, fall will inevitably come again. If your group is looking for a presentation on Illinois history or the writing process, consider Kate as your next speaker. For topics and availability, see Kate's presentation web page.

Abraham Lincoln's Funeral 145 Years Ago Today

John Wilkes Booth shot the President on the evening of April 14 and on April 15 Lincoln died. That was just six days after General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Confederate army to General Grant. Preparations began for an elaborate funeral demanded by a grieving country, a sort of national expression of all the personal griefs caused by the Civil War.

The President's body was embalmed, a procedure that had advanced considerably in technique during the War Between the States when so many bodies of soldiers were being sent home. Still, an embalmer traveled with the body all the way to Springfield, Illinois and frequently applied chalk dust and rouge to Lincoln's face and hands in an effort to mask the signs of decay.

25,000 people walked through the East Room where President Lincoln lay in state, standing in line for six hours to do so. The actual funeral service was held on Wednesday, April 19 and was attended by approximately 600 guests.

Platforms had been built in the East Room: one, a heavily draped bier supported and protected the coffin, and another large, stepped stage filled most of the rest of the room for the standing mourners. The mirrors were all shrouded, as was the custom, and white flowers sent by groups and individuals surrounded the bier, which was a somewhat new custom.

The darkened room was lit only by candlelight and "at the head and foot and on each side of the casket of their dead chief stood the motionless figures of his armed warriors," according to Noah Brooks, a contemporary journalist.

Following the funeral, the casket was taken to the the Capitol Building in a hearse pulled by six white horses and followed by thousands and thousands of dignitaries, Union soldiers and freed blacks. The procession was led by a platoon of black soldiers who had arrived a little too late to join the end of the line and simply turned around to become its head.

Another 25,000 or so filed into the Capitol to pay their respects 145 years ago today, April 20. Then on April 21, the bodies of the President and his beloved son Willie began the long train journey back to Springfield.

Where History Is Happening

Links to some upcoming events:

Cuneo Mansion and Gardens
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the season
10am until 5pm
Cuneo Mansion & Gardens is now open to the general public. Ticket sales end at 4 p.m. The mansion and gardens are open for self-guided tours Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Guided tours take place Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and are led by Cuneo docents.

Admission to the Mansion & Gardens is $10 for adults, $9 for students and seniors.

Ellwood House, Victorian Mansion
Tours begin:
1 & 3pm
Tuesday through Friday
1, 2 & 3pm
Saturday through Sunday
A visit to this elegant home located in a lovely park in the heart of DeKalb, Illinois brings the past to life! Inside, crystal chandeliers sparkle, gilt mirrors shine, and antique woodwork gleams.
Built by barbed wire millionaire Isaac L. Ellwood in 1879, the mansion remains with its original furnishings just as when the Ellwood family lived there decades ago.
The 1 hour guided tour includes all four floors of the Ellwood mansion, as well as the "Little House", a charming 1891 playhouse on the grounds.
Admission:
Adults: $8.00
Youth 6-17: $3.00
Under age 6: free
Visitor Center exhibits: free
The museum's Visitor Center includes the Barbed Wire History Gallery, the Carriage Gallery and the Special Exhibits Gallery.

Forgotten Chicago
Saturday, May 8
2:00pm
Join Forgotten Chicago for a free presentation at the McKinley Park Library. Part of the ongoing series on Chicago industry, focusing on industrial development and its influence on the growth of the McKinley Park area. Plenty of historic photos and maps will be used to illustrate the history of the area and its industries.

Rockin' Out with the Revolution Patriots

"Don't know much about history" Sam Cooke warbled and everyone understood him to mean that he didn't care much for his history classes. Or as the Talking Barbie Doll might have said: "History is hard!" And now we have unpopular Ben from the "Lost" television show as a history teacher in the alternate universe! No wonder it's hard to get folks excited about history!

But "Too Late to Apologize: A Declaration" certainly makes history look cool. Released a few weeks ago, the video by Soomo Publishing has America's founding fathers working on the Declaration of Independence in what one reviewer called "an '80's hair band music video."

Based on the 2007 song and video "Apologize" by One Republic, featuring Timbaland, "Too Late to Apologize: A Declaration" is catchy and fun and proves that history can be presented in an interesting way.

Soomo Publishing is a forward-thinking company with creative "new media" ideas on changing how students and professors use college textbooks. Normally Soomo provides quite serious information using web technology to gather and present the curriculum in a way that may be engaging young people as never before.

They offer programs including World History, Government, International Relations and a few others. The curriculum can be augmented by each individual teacher and it works with the brand-new iPad. This may be the way our next generation learns.

While many of us still prefer a musty old book, you have to admit that the music video grabs your attention!

Remembering the Alamo and General Santa Anna's Leg

Several journalists recently reported on Santa Anna's leg, apparently in response to renewed interest in the General following an episode of the "King of the Hill" cartoon.

Santa Anna is most known for ordering the attack on the Alamo in which Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie died. He's also been recently cited in connection with the Benito Juarez exhibit that ends this weekend at the Chicago History Museum. Juarez was exiled during Santa Anna's dictatorship, returned after Santa Anna resigned and served as Mexico's President from 1858 until 1872.

One local connection to the Santa Anna is that Uncle Joseph Naper, from Kate's book "Ruth by Lake and Prairie," served as a quartermaster during the Mexican-American war during Santa Anna's time.

But back to Santa Anna's leg. Apparently the General lost his leg to a cannon ball during a battle with the French in 1838. He was fitted with a fake leg and continued his military career.

In 1847, during a battle with the United States, Santa Anna's camp was surprised by a squad of soldiers from the 4th Illinois Infantry. Santa Anna escaped in the nick of time, but left behind his artificial leg which was duly captured by the Illinois soldiers. The leg today is displayed at the Illinois State Military Museum in Springfield if you are interested in ogling it.

At the time of writing, the web site of the Illinois State Military Museum was experiencing difficulties, but you can see a photo of the leg display at RoadsideAmerica.com.

If you are not able to make it to the Chicago History Museum before the Juarez exhibit closes on April 12, you can see highlights of the exhibit online and listen to the curator commentary.

Where History Is Happening

Links to some upcoming events:

Appraisal Fair in Aurora
Sunday, April 18
11am until 3pm
Aurora Historical Society presents "What's It Worth?" antique and collectible appraisal fair.
Verbal Appraisals
at Gray's Mill, 210 River Street, Montgomery, IL
$5 for one item,
$10 for three
For more information, call 630.906.0650 or visit our website

Heirloom-Gardening Class
Saturday, April 17,
9:30am-11:30 am
and
1:30pm-3:00pm
Kline Creek Farm offers tips for planting an heirloom-vegetable garden, including how to use compost, build hotbeds, rotate crops and find seeds. $25 per person. To register, call (630) 876-5900..

Foutaindale Library Author Fair 2010
Saturday, April 10
11am-4pm
Kate will be one of more than 25 authors kicking off National Library Week in Bolingbrook. Come by to chat about history, books and writing.

Bellwood Public Library Author Reading and Signing
Tuesday, April 13
6:30pm
Join us for a special literary celebration for National Library Week! Eight local authors will discuss their work and sign their books for the audience. Kate will be on of the authors reading from their work.

Joliet Library Event: Winners All Around

Saturday, March 13, was a rainy, gray day -- perfect for an Author Fair!

Kate was one of thirty authors of all genres who filled every nook and cranny at the Joliet Library - Black Road Branch. While the authors enjoyed chatting amongst themselves about the business of book-writing, there was hardly time as a steady stream of patrons made their way through the shelves.

Many visitors were browsing for a good read or hoping to get an autograph from their favorite author, but particularly satisfying were conversations with aspiring writers. Kate talked with several people who had stories floating around in their heads, including youngsters who could barely write cursive and retirees considering a new avocation. Plenty of college-bound high schoolers were in attendance as well, gathering information to help plan their educational goals.

Kate held a drawing of visitors to the Joliet Author Fair for a family pass to Naper Settlement open air history museum. Jenn of Crest Hill was the lucky winner. Congratulations, Jenn!

For readers and writers alike, more Author Events are coming up next month: at the Fountaindale Library in Bolingbrook on April 10 and at the Bellwood Library on April 13. You are welcome to attend either of these events to chat with a variety of authors about books and writing.

The Oregon Trail in Illinois

While recently reading "Searching for Tamsen Donner" by Gabrielle Burton, Kate learned that two of the families of the doomed Oregon Trail party were from Illinois. James Reed was a businessman from Springfield who operated a general store, sawmill and furniture factory, among other ventures, and George Donner himself was a fellow Springfield citizen.

Googling to see if there were any other Illinois ties to the Oregon Trail, Kate found a rather surprising connection: Oregon Trail Days in Oregon, Illinois.

While Oregon has long been a favorite place to visit, Kate had never heard of Oregon Trail Days, and for good reason. This summer will be its inaugural event.

Prompted by the threat of budget woes closing two nearby state parks, a group of concerned citizens decided to launch the festival as a way to boost awareness of the Oregon area as a tourism destination. While one of Oregon's charms is that it is NOT over-run with tourists, it certainly makes sense to get more people aware of what a treasure the area is and ensure that it remains open to all.

Planned for July 16 through 18, the event will celebrate Oregon's Native American and Western heritage. Activities will include Native American dancing and drumming, a cowboy medicine show and covered wagon rides.

The event's committee says: "We are sure that you and your family will have a rip-roaring, foot stomping, knee slapping, gosh darn good time," and they mean it! You have to go to the Oregon Trail Days web site to see all of the fun and interesting events they have planned.

Where History Is Happening

Links to some upcoming events:

The 1950's Park Forest House Museum
March through April
Saturdays
1pm until 3pm
The 1950s Park Forest House Museum at 141 Forest Blvd, Park Forest, Illinois is decorated for a 1950s Easter. Decorations include, honeycomb rabbits and baskets, plastic and tin decorations, and Easter baskets with candy available in the 1950s. Donation is $5 for adults; children 12 and under are free with a paying adult. For details, or to arrange a special group tour, visit the Park Forest Historical Society website.

The 1965 Palm Sunday Tornado
Sunday, April 14,
7pm
Crystal Lake Historical Society president, Diana Kenney, presents a look back at the deadly Palm Sunday tornado which devastated Crystal Lake 45 years ago. Program will feature photos and stories of the devastation, rebuilding, and survivors. Registration required through the library.Sunday's program is already full and Wednesday's has limited seating available.

Early Churches of the Calumet Region
Saturday,
April 10, 10 am
Ken Schoon, Associate Dean of Indiana University Northwest's School of Eduction, will discuss Calumet's churches from 1858, founded by early Polish, Dutch and German settlers.
$3 for non-members. Refreshments will follow.

Illinois Governors Are an Interesting Study

The governor of Illinois writes:

"The internal improvement system, the banks, the great plenty of money, had made every one morally drunk. The failure of all these brought about a sobering process."

The governor who wrote this was speaking of Illinois in 1842, but you know what they say about those who don't learn from history being doomed to repeat it.

Thomas Ford was a one term governor who stepped into office knowing the job was going to be a tough one. Hostility toward Mormons settled in Nauvoo was growing and becoming violent. The state of Illinois was in debt to the tune of $14 million and building. The budget wasn't even close to being balanced and anyone holding currency issued by the state banks basically owned scrap paper.

The I&M Canal project was renewed by Ford and was instrumental in revitalizing the economy and getting the state back on track. It would take forty years, but those crippling debts would eventually be paid off, even with a Civil War interrupting things.

Ford was dying of tuberculosis when he wrote his "A History of Illinois." He hoped the proceeds would support his children after his death. Half of "A History" tells of the four years he served as governor and the other twenty nine years are jammed into the other half, so it's a personal sort of book rather than a impartial review.

You can buy a copy of Governor Ford's "History" on Amazon. An original leather-bound 1854 edition can be had for $1,500, but a new paperback version will only cost you $22.72.

Rod Blagojevich's "The Governor" is a bargain at $16.47, brand-new.

Have You Found a Lincoln Penny Yet?

The last of four re-designs of the Lincoln penny was unveiled last month in Springfield, ending a year-long recognition of the President's 200th birthday.

Last February, the first penny was released featuring a log cabin on the back side. The next one shows Lincoln taking a break from log-splitting to read a book. The third one pictures him standing in front of the Illinois State Capitol building and the coin which debuted last month depicts the United States Capitol with the dome still under construction.

Keep an eye on your change to get a good look at the new Lincoln cents. It's also a great way to get your children and grand-children interested in our state's history. See what you're looking for at The Huffington Post.

Where History Is Happening

Links to some upcoming events:

Joliet Library Author Fair
Saturday, March 13
11am - 3pm
Okay, this may not be very historic, but it promises to be lots of fun. Kate and 30 fellow authors of all genres will be on hand to talk about their books. For readers from children to teens and adults. Also for writers who want to talk about the craft and business.

Learn About Your Chicago Home's History Day
Saturday,
April 24,
12 - 4pm
The Norwood Park Historical Society will assist residents to research their house.
Find references on architectural styles
related to the Chicago area, a collection of references to help make appropriate
choices when renovating historic properties and information on preservation and landmark status.
New this year will be representatives of the Kalo Foundation who research Sears kit houses.

Explorer Merriwether Lewis Portrayal
Saturday,
March 20, 10 am
Walk in the shoes of one of America's great explorers, brought to life by one of the nation's foremost Humanities
scholars and actors, Clay Jenkinson. This is a unique opportunity to see this very entertaining program in the intimate setting of the Community Room at the Geneva History Center. Hosted in partnership with Waubonsee Community College. Admission - $25

Who's Been Working on the Railroad?

"Trunks Through Time" sounds like a fascinating way for students from kindergarten through eighth grade to explore the railway history of our country. While currently on display at the Buchanan Center for the Arts in Monmouth, Illinois, these four trunks will be made available for teachers to bring into their classrooms in the near future.

The premise is that students are workers at the Lost and Found department of a large railway station. The station manager hopes to return the trunks to their owners and asks the students to go through the trunks' contents to learn more about the rightful owners.

Inside each trunk are photos, replicated artifacts and actual antiques that represent specific groups of people who make up America's railway history: the Chinese immigrants who built the rail lines, "Harvey Girls" who worked in railroad restaurants, African-American Pullman Porters, and Latino "boxcar children" who lived in surplus rail cars with their families.

Sponsored by a grant from the Galesburg Community Foundation and designed by BRC Imagination Arts, Knox College students and faculty worked together to put assemble the trunk contents and write the accompanying lesson plans.

Galesburg is a big railroad town with a Railroad Museum and a two-day festival called Railroad Days in June, so it's no surprise that Knox College would embrace a project like this. Kate well remembers the wails of train horns at all hours of the day and night when she was studying for her creative writing degree there!
"Trunks Through Time" should provide a wonderful hands-on and rich experience for children to learn history. Lucky kids!

A Plethora of Local Authors

If lions come in "prides," do authors come in "plethoras?" They will on Saturday, March 13 at the Joliet Public Libary -- Black Road Branch when the library welcomes thirty local authors from 9am until 4pm to answer questions, autograph books and take pictures.

This event is free and open to everyone. Authors of all kinds of books will be on hand to chat with including those who write picture books for children, those who write adult non-fiction and genres in-between.

Children get a kick out of meeting the people who make the books they enjoy, but for adults who harbor a story within them this can also be a great experience.

The atmosphere is friendly and warm and the authors are eager to talk about their writing and publishing experience. Tell your writers' group or your teen-aged blogger or anyone who would like a one-on-one experience with an author.

Kate will be attending this event again this year and looks forward to meeting friends old and new. Come on down and say hello!

Where History Is Happening

Links to some upcoming events:

Maple Sugaring Days
March 13 & 14
Saturday 10 am-4 pm Sunday 1-4 pm See the time-honored method of collecting sap the old-fashioned way and visit historic building activity stations. Sample the pleasing taste of maple syrup and take home tasty recipes to make and enjoy. This is a memorable event that the whole family will savor.
$9 adults, $8 seniors (62+), $6.50 youth (4-17)
Naperville Heritage Society members and Season Pass Holders receive free admission.
Antique Apple Tree Grafting Seminar at Garfield Farm Museum

Antique Apple Tree Grafting Seminar at Garfield Farm Museum
Sunday,
March 7 1:30 pm
Make three grafts of antique apple trees to take home for planting. Reservations required. $30 fee. In LaFox, Illinois, near Geneva.
Spring Jubilee at Bishop Hill

Spring Jubilee at Bishop Hill
March 27 & March 28 10am - 5pm
Village of Swedish immigrants who built a commune in 1846.
Enjoy coffee and cookies in shops and museums as historic Bishop Hill opens for the season. Discover what is new. Delight in the familiar.

Celebrating Naperville Business

In the fall of 1915, the Naperville Association of Commerce resolved to “appoint and promote a civic event of welcome to our friends abroad, under the suggestive name of a “Home Coming Celebration.”

Recent city-wide progress was “such as to warrant the feeling of pride among the people within and to challenge the attention and admiration of the people without,” which they felt was in “striking contrast” with its “self-satisfied earlier years.” Sounds much like today’s Naperville!

The event was planned for the summer of 1917. Each of the four days of the celebration had a theme: Old Citizens Day, Patriotic Day, School and Church Day and Community Day.

The last day started with “a complimentary automobile tour through the delightful June dressed streets and avenues of our city,.” Later there were “five minute addresses by men and women from home and abroad—all for Naperville—”as well as a pageant. The celebrations concluded with music and fireworks.

Praise was heaped on the event’s sponsors: “The modern spirit of co-operation is best typified in the work of the Naperville Association of Commerce which has drawn together the business men of the city in team-work as never before.”

The Naperville Association of Commerce was only two years old when they started planning the Home Coming celebration. “Barely fifty members” launched the Association in July of 1913.

That means we’ll be celebrating our First Century of Commerce in 2013. Is it time to start planning the party yet? 

Slavery in Illinois?

Friday is Abraham Lincoln's two hundred and first birthday. That probably signals the end of an entire year of celebrating our sixteenth President. Museums, libraries, schools, books, television shows -- all have been showcasing him more than usual even here in the Land of Lincoln.

The state of Illinois is a few years younger than Mr. Lincoln. We won't be celebrating its 200th birthday until 2018, which is not that far off. Most folks know that Illinois was admitted to the union as a free state. But did you know that slavery was in fact practiced here?

Slavery was permitted for owners of salt mines so that they could continue to operate with this cheap labor source. How many times have you heard someone complain that they had to "go back to the salt mine?" Grueling toil under horrendous working conditions only begins to express how awful existence was for a salt mine slave.

Those who owned slaves before Illinois joined the Union were also allowed to keep their slaves, even though the state was technically "free." Indentured servitude was allowed as well, which basically enslaved all kinds of people for a large portion of their lives. 

For more details on slavery in Illinois, a "free" state, see the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency web site.

Celebrating Lincoln's Birthday

Kate will be visiting with the residents of Westminster Place, a retirement community in Evanston, on Friday, the day of Lincoln's birthday. It seems like the perfect time for her program "Six Degrees of Abraham Lincoln!"

The PowerPoint presentation tells of little-known connections between the President and the Chicagoland area, "history lite" illustrated with photos and maps.

If you know any schools or community groups who would enjoy this program, feel free to send them to the Six Degrees of Abraham Lincoln web site or contact Kate directly.

Where History Is Happening

Links to some upcoming events:

Chicago Tunnel Presentation at Norwood Park Historical Society
February 24
7pm
A free presentation about the history of the forgotten railroads that operated beneath downtown Chicago.
Bruce Moffat will give an oral and visual presentation on the history of Chicago's long-forgotten railroad that operated beneath the streets of downtown Chicago for more 50 years.
All are welcome.

Adlai Stevenson Exhibit

Through August 28
An exhibit of artifacts of Adlai Ewing Stevenson II and his family opened Friday, February 5 on his 110th birthday. At the McLean County Museum of History, 200 N. Main St., Bloomington
Cost: Regular museum admission: adults, $5; senior citizens, $4; children and students, free.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Spring Luncheon

April 11
1:00 - 5:00 pm
Take a trip down the yellow brick road through the Joliet Area Historical Museum as you make your way to the Emerald City. Don't forget to bring your camera! The event will be held right here in the Museum located at Cass & Ottawa next to the JJC Renaissance Center.

An Intimate Visit With an Grand Old Lady

Recently Kate attended an author's event in Oak Brook, Illinois at the Mayslake Peabody Mansion. What a pleasure to attend any sort of event there!

The background on the Mayslake Peabody Mansion was written up in "A Brief History" last month. (If you missed it you can read it here.) While it looks as though generations of the Peabody family lived and died in the home, they really only used it for a very short time. The Franciscan brothers who bought the estate made the changes that were important to them, but keeping up the place as a grand family home was obviously not their mission.

Kate hadn't been in the mansion for a couple years, so she was delighted to see how much progress has been made on the restoration. The meeting was held in the former friar's chapel, but since there was also an art exhibit going on in one of the other halls, visitors were encouraged to explore a bit.

The woodwork, the plaster carving, the fireplaces -- all are stunning. Right now, the floors and library shelves are bare, but it's easy to imagine an oriental carpet with a cozy wing chair pulled up in front of rows of leather-bound volumes.

Mayslake offers tours, classes and performances so there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the company of this grand old lady. See their web site for a complete list of events.

Children's Lit Breakfast with the Authors

Anderson's Bookshop is a nationally known independent bookseller with stores in Naperville and Downers Grove. For the past seven years they have held a Children's Literature Breakfast. This year's event will be held on February 20 in Glen Ellyn. Illinois.

Kate was invited again this year to attend as one of the guest authors. 600 people are expected to attend, many of them teachers who get CPDU credits along with the chance to hear some wonderful speakers.

This year's speakers include

• Richard Peck, ("A Season of Gifts")
• Patricia McKissack, ("Clone Codes")
• Pam Allyn, ("What to Read When" and Executive Director of LitLife)
• Jordan Sonnenblick, ("After Ever After") and
• Francoise Mouly, (Artistic Director of New Yorker Magazine; Publisher and Editorial Director of TOON books and Author of The TOON Treasury of Classic Children's Comics).

In addition to the speakers, breakfast and a huge book sale, one of the features of this event is that an author sits at every table. Several times during the morning, the authors play shift down one table so everyone gets to meet and talk to three or four different authors.

If you or someone you know are interested in attending this event -- especially you teachers! -- register as soon as possible as the Kid Lit Breakfast always sells out. For more information, see the

Anderson's Bookshop web site.

Where History Is Happening

Links to some upcoming events:

First Folio Theatre Presents "Jeeves in Bloom" at Mayslake Peabody Mansion

January 27 - February 28
When Bertie gets himself into another scrape, Jeeves must resign his service and re-invent himself as something other than a Gentleman's Gentleman. This sequel to First Folio's hit production of "Jeeves Intervenes" features the return of Christian Gray as the lovably loopy Bertie Wooster and Jim McCance as his unflappable butler Jeeves.


Heroes, Villains and the American Zeitgeist.Comic Books from the Rare Books and Special Collections of the University Libraries Northern Illinois

January 19 through March 13
University Art Museum, Hall Case Galleries, Altgeld Hall. The exhibition traces the development through to the Modern Age which encompasses Independent Comics and the rise of the Graphic Novel, blending more whimsical characters and complex storylines that blur the lines between hero and antihero. As part of our Pop Culture Exhibition Suite this show will captivate you with the lively and engaging art and literary nuances of this popular medium.

Born in Mathausen: Eva Clarke's Story

Thursday, February 18
6:30 pm
Eva Clarke, whose story has been featured by the BBC, will share how she owes her life to her mother's tenacity, and the timely arrival of American GI liberators, when Eva was only three days old.
Ticket price includes Museum admission.
$20; $10

Turning History Research into a Story

When Kate was researching her book "Ruth by Lake and Prairie" she tried to piece together Ruth's life story to make the book about the founding of Naperville come alive.

The title character, Ruth Eliza Murray was born in Ashtabula, Ohio and immigrated to Illinois with her family in 1831 as part of a group of settlers organized by her uncle Joseph Naper after whom the town was named. A few years later another family from Ohio arrived: Alfred Shattuck, his wife and his sons. While they rented a farm in Naper's Settlement, they wanted to buy their own land and scouted property further west, finally purchasing in Spring Township, Boone County.

While they were preparing the land and building a cabin, the Shattucks remained in Naper's Settlement and Alfred's twenty-year old son, Harlyn, must have socialized with Ruth, then 16. Whether there were any sparks between them at the time is unknown and the Shattucks moved out to their Boone County farm.

Years passed. Ruth remained at Naper's Settlement on her family's farm, Harlyn remained in Spring Township on his. Perhaps there were dances, weddings or other get-togethers. Northern Illinois was still thinly settled at the time and people did travel to Chicago or up from Will County to socialize with one another. We don't know how it happened, but Harlyn and Ruth were married on the last day of March in 1842.

Harlyn was twenty-eight and Ruth was twenty-four so they certainly weren't a couple of kids rushing into a romance. Ruth's own sisters married at younger ages than that. Kate speculates that Ruth may have been less attractive than her sisters or more useful to the household, two traits that might explain a late marriage and which Kate used to develop Ruth's character in the book.

The newly weds lived at first in a rented house in Naper's Settlement while Harlyn hired himself out as a laborer. Looking at the census records, the young Shattucks apparently took in a boarder as well. He was also a laborer and was perhaps a widower since two small children are listed in the records but no wife. From the beginning of their marriage Ruth proved her capabilities by managing a household with three adults and two children.

With no photographs, no diaries, no letters we can only speculate on Ruth's real personality using the tiny clues that research offers.

Writing Your Own Family's History

Some day, some descendant may want to know about the people in your family. They shouldn't have to guess like Kate had to about Ruth Murray! You should write your own family's history so it will be preserved for future generations.

There are lots of ways to go about it from simple records to free-form tale-telling. To get inspired, the Helen Plum Memorial Library in Lombard, Illinois is offering a free seminar called "Creating a Memoir: The Basics of Writing Your Life Story."

Memoirist Rosanne Gulisano will lead the seminar on Saturday, February 6, starting at 2:00 pm. While the event is free, the library would like you to register. See their web site at www.plum.lib.il.us for more information.

This seminar is one of several that is offered by the DuPage County Library System as part of their Writing and Publishing series. Kate attended all but one of last year's offerings and found them very interesting. She's already registered for all of this year's, so if you attend any, be sure to say "hello!"

Where History Is Happening

Links to some upcoming events:

New Permanent Exhibit of West Chicago History

Daily Monday through
Friday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Panels with text, photographs and artifacts invite discovery of West Chicago's early history and subsequent development. On display in the City Hall during regular business hours.

Tea with Your American Girl

Saturday, February 13
11:00 am or1:00 pm
The LaGrange Area Historical Society
invites you to
a Tea with Your American Girl.
This event will feature
"Rebecca," the girls from the 1914-era stories.
Tea will be held in the Vial House,
Home of the LaGrange Area Historical Society
444 S. LaGrange Road
Seatings are at 11:00 am or 1:00 pm and registration is required as space is limited. Please have one adult per family in attendance. Dolls and other lovies are welcome!

President Ronald Reagan's Birthday Party

Saturday, February 6
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Come and join the annual Ronald Reagan Birthday Celebration! View his birthplace in Tampico, Illinois and then walk over to the Tampico Historical Museum three doors down the street which will also be open.
Refreshments will be served there by the Tampico Historical Society.
This would be Reagan's 99th birthday as he was born February 6, 1911!