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?
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.
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.
Links to some upcoming events:
Chicago Tunnel Presentation at Norwood Park Historical SocietyFebruary 247pmA 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 ExhibitThrough August 28An 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., BloomingtonCost: Regular museum admission: adults, $5; senior citizens, $4; children and students, free.The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Spring LuncheonApril 111:00 - 5:00 pmTake 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.
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.
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 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.
