Events

History lovers and readers unite for the History Book Club. This month we will discuss the book A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway. Books will be available for loan at Oak Park Public Library, on hold behind the main desk under "History Book Club." 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

Oak Park River Forest Museum is teaming up with Visit Oak Park to offer two local bus tours this fall. On Sunday, Nov. 24, we will feature stops in front of the homes and sites associated with some of our Hometown Legends. Think of it as the Oak Park-River Forest version of a Hollywood homes tour. See where Dan Castellaneta, the voice of Homer Simpson, grew up and where Ray Kroc, founder of

OPRF Museum will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving. Regular hours resume Friday November 29, 1-5pm.

It’ll be a hot time at the old fire house when Oak Park and River Forest firefighters vie for the best chili in the Oak Park River Forest Museum’s Chili Cook-Off on Dec. 5. Admission is a suggested donation of $10, with proceeds split with the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance. Reservations are required by Saturday, Nov. 30. Please sign up by emailing oprfhistorymatters@sbcglobal.net or calling the

They say truth is stranger than fiction and the Oak Park story of the “Seekers” who waited for aliens on Christmas Eve 1954 is a perfect example of that. Frank FioRito, board member of The Historical Society, will share his fascinating research on the group and how they prepared for doomsday at a talk starting at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at OPRF Museum. Regular admission rates will apply.

OPRF Museum will be closed in observance of Christmas Day. Regular hours resume Thursday December 26, 1-5pm.

OPRF Museum will be closed in observance of New Years Day. Regular hours resume Thursday January 2, 1-5pm.

Join the fun on Thursday, Jan. 9, from 6 - 8 p.m. when local mixologist and cocktail historian Dave Hudson brings his drink-making skills to the museum during Dry January. Hudson is a Forest Park resident who got hooked on making both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks during Covid. Hudson will be making various mocktails for you to enjoy. Not only will he create some great-tasting beverages, he

You may have seen ceramic portraits on tombstones in local cemeteries. It’s likely those were manufactured by the J.A. Dedouch Co., of Oak Park. Wilhelmine Coste, who wrote an undergraduate thesis on photoceramic gravestone portraiture and its connection to immigrant communities in the United States, will give a Zoom presentation on these ceramic markers, commonly known as “dedos,” at 3 p.m. CST

Join The Historical Society of OPRF at One Lake Brewing to party like it's the 1920s! Drinks including specialty cocktails and mocktails will be available for the night. More details and ticket prices will be available soon.