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Events

May 2025

May 18, 2025 - 12:00:pm — 1:30:pm
Forest Home Cemetery- West Entrance
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
May 29, 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 One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson. 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 708-848-6755. And join us

June 2025

June 7, 2025 - 10:00:am — 2:00:pm
Oak Park River Forest Museum
Looking for some family fun? Oak Park River Forest Museum, along with the Oak Park Vintage Car Club, will host the annual Vintage Car Show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 7, on the streets surrounding the museum (Lake Street, Lombard Avenue and South Boulevard). Enjoy looking at classic cars while talking to the owners and listening to music provided by our neighbor, School of Rock. Food and
June 14, 2025 - 10:00:am — 11:30:am
River Forest Methodist Church
The Street of Dreams: Founding Families and Early Architects of Keystone Avenue. Meet us for a stroll through River Forest history. Learn about the oldest commercial building, the architect of the Methodist Church, 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 “The Street of Dreams.”
June 26, 2025 - 7:00:pm — 8:00:pm
Oak Park River Forest Museum
History lovers and readers unite for the History Book Club. Please watch for more information soon about which book will be discussed. 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 708-848-6755. And join us for the

July 2025

July 12, 2025 - 10:00:am — 11:30:am
Oak Park River Forest Museum
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
July 26, 2025 - 10:00:am — 11:30:am
Take a stroll with us through scenic, historic River Forest on West Side Stories: People and Architecture That Shaped River Forest! This walk up Edgewood Place and then south on Thatcher Avenue will demonstrate why these two streets are a living outdoor museum of architecture and village history. Hear fascinating and surprising stories about people who lived here, some of the renowned architects

August 2025

August 23, 2025 - 10:00:am — 11:30:am
Join us for this tour down Lake Street as Historical Society guides tell the stories of women in our community who broke down barriers in the fields of government and civic life, cultural affairs, and social services. You'll meet pioneers in fair housing and civil rights as well as a judge, a symphony conductor, and women on the war memorial in Scoville Park. The tour kicks off at 10 a.m. at the

September 2025

September 6, 2025 - 10:00:am — 11:30:am
Medical Arts Building
Greater Downtown Oak Park boasts an array of marvelous examples of Art Deco design that are often overlooked. Join our guides on a walk down Lake Street as they point out many of these treasures that we walk past every day without noticing. The tour will start at 10 a.m. in the lobby of the Medical Arts Building, proceed along Lake Street toward Harlem Avenue, and then loop back toward the

October 2025

Forest Home Cemetery