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Events

March 2025

March 27, 2025 - 7:00:pm — 8:00:pm
Oak Park River Forest Museum
History lovers and readers unite for the History Book Club. This month the book for discussion will be Our Nazi: An American Suburb's Encounter with Evil by Michael Soffer. Book Club is open to all current members of The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest. Space may be limited. To reserve your place or check your membership status, please email oprfhistorymatters@sbcglobal.net or call

April 2025

April 12, 2025 - 10:00:am — 11:30:am
Trailside Museum
The Des Plaines River and River Forest From the first Indigenous people to our Cook County Forest Preserves, the Des Plaines River has been a major part of the history of River Forest. On this walk we will explore land and history along the river, think about many who have passed along, and see what they've left us. We will begin and end at Trailside Museum, a community landmark. Tickets are $10
April 12, 2025 - 3:00:pm — 4:30:pm
Oak Park River Forest Museum
The History of River Forest's Edgewater Park Join us at Oak Park River Forest Museum at 3 p.m. on Saturday April 12 when Historical Society volunteer Frank FioRito presents his research on Edgewater Park, a forgotten piece of River Forest history. Very little trace of it remains today, but once there was a quirky subdivision tucked away in what is now the Thatcher Woods Forest Preserve. How it
April 24, 2025 - 7:00:pm — 8:00:pm
Oak Park River Forest Museum
History lovers and readers unite for the History Book Club. This month the book for discussion will be Blood Moon: An American Epic of War and Splendor in the Cherokee Nation by John Sedgwick. Book Club is open to all current members of The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest. Space may be limited. To reserve your place or check your membership status, please email oprfhistorymatters
April 26, 2025 - 10:30:am — 12:00:pm
Oak Park River Forest Museum
The Oak Park Farmers Market is celebrating its 50th season this summer. Oak Park River Forest Museum will host a panel discussion of vendors and others associated with the popular market at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 26, at the museum. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. for coffee and Pilgrim Church donuts. Hear how the market started with one farmer in 1976 and has grown into a beloved summer community
April 27, 2025 - 3:00:pm — 4:00:pm
Oak Park River Forest Museum
Comic artist Caitlin Cass will discuss how she began making historical comics in this interactive talk geared toward young people ages 7-17. Caitlin's work has been published in the New Yorker, the Lily and The Nib. Her book Suffrage Song: the Haunted History of Gender, Race, and Voting Rights in the U.S. (Fantagraphics, 2024) was awarded Best Graphic Non-fiction by Broken Frontier and named a Top

May 2025

May 4, 2025 - 1:00:pm — 5:00:pm
Spring is here and that means it’s time for The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest’s annual spring house walk, “Tales Our Houses Tell.” This year, five beautiful homes in southwest Oak Park will be open for interior tours from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 4. The event is limited to those over age 12 and pets will not be allowed in these private homes. These homes are not ADA/wheelchair