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Ask the Historian

"What was the name of the store at the corner of Harlem and Lake in the 1950s?"
"I heard that gangsters lived in Oak Park and River Forest. Is that true?"
"Where were the old stagecoach inns in Oak Park and River Forest?"
 
These are just a few examples of the kinds of inquiries we receive regularly from people looking for a quick answer to a simple question about Oak Park and River Forest history. For uncomplicated questions like these, please use the form below to Ask the Historian. We'll try our best to satisfy your curiosity.
 
For complex questions or in-depth research, please visit the Research at the Museum page and make an appointment to visit the Fields Research Center.