The story of Oak Lawn’s first firefighters and police officers doesn’t start with a firehouse or a precinct. It starts in a local tavern, where a handful of volunteers decided the growing village needed protection.
That small-town beginning is now part of a sweeping new exhibit at the Oak Lawn Public Library, 9427 Raymond Ave, Oak Lawn, where residents turned out Wednesday, April 23, for the opening of First Responders of Oak Lawn: Celebrating 100 Years of Firefighters & Police History.
“This is an awesome dedication to the history of the departments,” Alex Zwick, Firefighter/Paramedic for the Oak Lawn Fire Department, said. “It’s huge to be able to see something like this and to be able to have stories and traditions passed down onto us.”
As Zwick said, the exhibit, curated by Local History Librarian Tom Javorcic, honors the people and moments that built Oak Lawn’s public safety legacy.
“It’s an exhibit of photos and artifacts of the departments that trace their history in town and honors their service,” Javorcic said. “First responders risk their lives every day to keep the residents of Oak Lawn safe. That should be honored and acknowledged.”
The opening night reception featured a slideshow, Q&A, refreshments and a chance to explore the newly transformed Local History Room on the library’s second floor. The space now resembles a small museum, overlooking Village Hall, filled with donated photographs, vintage uniforms, documents and rare artifacts.
All the display items came from the Oak Lawn Fire and Police Departments, or from families and residents who wanted to contribute. One of Javorcic’s favorite finds is the tavern anecdote, which offers an unexpected window into how local safety efforts got their start.
“Who would imagine that a local tavern played an important role in the beginnings of these departments?” he said. “Things happened at that tavern which set the stage.”
To build the exhibit, Javorcic created oversized timelines, added color to black-and-white photographs, and made personal visits to family members of former first responders. The result is a vivid, human story of how a village’s emergency services evolved over a century.
“There’s a lot to learn,” he said. “It’s a fascinating look at how first responders grew from a small group of local volunteers to the expert forces they are today.”
“It’s nice to see where the departments started and where we got our roots,” Nick Engel, Engineer for the Oak Lawn Fire Department, said. “We’re building upon all of those that came before us.”
The exhibit will remain on display throughout 2025 and is open during library hours. Starting June 3, guided walking tours will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. The library especially encourages student and senior groups to attend.
Visitors can also view a preview display on the first floor or explore the virtual collection through the Local History tab on the library’s website.
“This is more than just names and dates,” Javorcic said. “It’s a way for people to see themselves in the story of Oak Lawn—and to remember the people who served their neighbors with courage.”
