Events

Join us for "Green History: Retrofitting Historic Buildings for Energy Efficiency and Historic Preservation" at 7 p.m. on Thursday April 23 at OPRF Museum. Local architects and engineers will share some remarks and then join a panel discussion chaired by Lindsey Nieratka, Chief Sustainability Officer of the Village of Oak Park. The goal is to straddle April's annual Earth Month (which grew out of

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 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 (or $8

History lovers and readers unite for the History Book Club. This month, we will discuss the book The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. If you have a suggestion for a future book club discussion, please leave your suggestions in our Contact Form . 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

Spring is on its way, and that means it’s time for The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest’s annual Spring House Walk. This year, five beautiful homes in northeast River Forest will be open for interior tours from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 3. Tickets are $40 each, or $35 for members. Tickets may be purchased in our online store or by phone at 708-848-6755. The event is limited to those

Our stroll through southeast Oak Park's Gunderson Historic District will, of course, tell the story of how the Gunderson Brothers developed and promoted this neighborhood, but it will also include lesser-known stories, like the house once named the Oak Park Academy of Fine Arts, the controversial temporary homes built to ease the post-World War II housing crisis, why this neighborhood was once

Have you ever wondered what's across the bridge at Forest Home Cemetery? If so, join Oak Park River Forest Museum docents for a walking tour to learn more about the people, organizations and stories found west of the Des Plaines River. Find out about the Bill Posters Union and the Cigar Makers International Union, veterans’ and fraternal groups, ethnic areas, the founder of the world’s first blood

History lovers and readers unite for the History Book Club. Please check back soon for the announcement of our book for May. If you have a suggestion for a future book club discussion, please leave your suggestions in our Contact Form . 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

"Whoo Whoo! - Next stop River Forest!" Meet us at the River Forest Methodist Church for a stroll through River Forest history. Learn about the oldest commercial building, the history of the train and its architecturally significant station, the “power couple” who helped bring the Columbian Exposition to Chicago, and much more as we take a sidewalk tour down the stretch of Keystone Avenue known as

Celebrate Juneteenth with us and learn about the contributions and influence African Americans had on our two villages. Grab your helmet and your water bottle and ride your bicycle over to Oak Park River Forest Museum for a bicycle tour led by Executive Director Frank Lipo on Thursday, June 18. We’ll meet in front of the museum, 129 Lake St., and the tour, expected to last about two hours, will

Ridgeland Ramble: A Walking Tour of This Distinctive Oak Park Neighborhood Join Museum guides for a walking tour along Lake Street and surrounding blocks and learn about the history, buildings, activities, and people of this east side neighborhood. Along the way you will learn about Oak Park's largest employer in 1900, the West Suburban Jewish Community Center, the boy who started a successful