While Barclay was a one-man historical society, you don't have to love history alone! Become a member of the Philander Barclay Society and follow in his bicycle tracks.

When it comes to stories about Oak Park and River Forest residents, Philander Barclay knew them all. His love for these villages and their inhabitants shows in the detailed, handwritten notes he created and the photos he took that are at the heart of the collection of The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest. Many are on display and others are regularly accessed by researchers at OPRF Museum. We even recently put his bike on display in our front window.

Members of the Barclay Society share Barclay's dedication to our community and its history. Their annual gift of $1,000 or more (cumulative over a year) helps ensure that OPRF Museum has a sound financial footing. Whether your donation is a lump sum or a semi-annual, quarterly, or monthly pledge, as a Barclay Society member you'll be recognized as a major figure in the success of OPRF Museum. Join the Barclay Society today or call us to discuss your options.

To include OPRF Museum in your estate plans, please consult your legal counsel or financial advisor and then give us a call to discuss options.

Many supporters in recent years also have directed their IRA's Required Minimum Distribution to the Historical Society as the impetus to join the Barclay Society. Others have made tax-advantages donations of appreciated stocks, securities, or mutual funds. To learn more about these options, visit our Planned Giving webpage.

To make a donation today, you can:

Visit the Donate page on our website

Call Oak Park River Forest Museum at 708-848-6755

Or send a check, payable to The Historical Society of OPRF, to
PO Box 771
Oak Park, IL 60303