Park Forest Historical Society will hold a program and annual meeting on Sunday, September 29, at 2:30 p.m., in Ryan Hall at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 227 Monee Road, Park Forest. The meeting and election of board members will be followed by a brief description of the refreshed website and a celebration of the anniversary of the 1950s Park Forest House Museum, plus a tour of the museum exhibits.
The society is celebrating the 26th Anniversary of the museum, which was started for the 50th anniversary of Park Forest in 1998. St. Mary’s is on a list of 19 churches being considered for closing by the Joliet Diocese next July 1. This may be the last anniversary of the museum.
Vintage Halloween decorations are on display in the 1950s Park Forest House Museum, from September 21 through November 6. Located at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 227 Monee Road, the museum is open Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 1 to 3:30 p.m., or at other times by appointment. Admission is $5 for adults, with those 12 and under free with an adult.
Display items include Gurley Halloween candles, die-cut decorations, and a boxed costume with mask. Park Forest’s 75th Anniversary exhibits are on display through November.
The museum tells the story of how Park Forest was developed and describes life in the village in its first five years, from 1948-1953. Toys, dolls, books, clothing, and household furnishings all help portray life in the early 1950s and 1960s. Information is on the website at http://www.parkforesthistory.org, plus with Jane Nicoll at 708-481-4252, or Mike Gans at 708-305-3308.