Actor Terry Lynch presents “Illinois Inventors”
Nationally known actor Terry Lynch specializes in the portrayal of history’s most interesting, inspirational figures. His one man interactive presentations give audiences a new, first person perspective on the people and events that make up our history and culture.
In “Illinois Inventors” Terry will portray an old-time newspaper hawker spreading the news about the amazing inventions of many everyday objects we rely on.
The program will take place at our meeting on Monday, April 24, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave., Lansing, IL 60438.
For more information, call 708-474-7497.
Notable Architecture in Lansing…a Talk by Lansing architect Ed Lugowski
Come and learn about some hidden gems in our community. Lansing architect, Ed Lugowski, will discuss the Lansing Presbyterian Church building, designed by award-winning architect Edward Dart and some other interesting structures in town.
Monday, March 27, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave., Lansing, IL. The program is open to all and there is no charge.
For more information, contact Barb Dust, 708-474-7497, barbd728@aol.com
What’s Up with History in Our Schools?
Oak Glen and Heritage
Renovation has been happening at Lansing schools for some time. It is easy to see what has taken place. But what about what goes on in those schools? Come to the next Lansing Historical Society meeting entitled “What’s Up with History in Our Schools?” Mary DiGrispino from Lansing School District 158 will show case some of her students as they use drama to learn history. She has employed drama and hands on activities for many years with her Summer School Time Travelers program. Jennifer Brown from Sunnybrook School District 171 will present her students’ demonstrations for Black History Month. She has the students utilize modern technology to do research and then present their topics in an engaging way. Come and see our young people and their innovative teachers in action!
The program will take place at 6:00 p.m. , February 27, 2017, in the Community Room of the Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave., Lansing, IL, 60438.
The Lansing Historical Museum is now open again after taking down our Christmas trees around the world exhibit. In a few weeks, we will start an ongoing exhibit entitled “Lansing History told with 100 Objects.” We will roll out the first 20 objects in a couple of weeks. Be on the look-out for more information! The museum is located in the lower level of the Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave., Lansing, IL 60438.
2016 Festival of Lights to open November 28th
No tickets necessary! Just come and enjoy!
The Lansing Historical Society is pleased to announce the opening of the 2016 “Festival of Lights” on Monday, November 28th at 6:00 p.m. More than 35 Christmas trees and displays will depict holiday celebrations from around the world and here in town. The evening will feature Christmas music by the TF South Choir. Refreshments will follow, and then everyone will be invited to view the trees. The exhibit will remain in place until January 7, 2017. Hours are Monday & Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday & Thursday, 3-5 p.m. and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Closed Christmas Eve. Tours at other times can be arranged by calling Barb Dust, 708-474-7497, barbd728@aol.com. The Lansing historical Museum is located in the lower level of the Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave., Lansing, IL.
Grimm’s Grimmest: The Darker Side of Fairy Tales
Autumn is here, and we are all in the mood for a good scary story!
Grimms’ Grimmest: The Darker Side of Fairy Tales will be presented on Monday, October 24, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave., Lansing, IL 60438.
What really happened after Sleeping Beauty was awakened by the Prince’s kiss? “Happily ever after…” was only relative – and what relatives inhabit these lurid tales!
Listen to the 19th-century tales of the Brothers Grimm as originally intended for adults, transformed through Judith Heineman’s and Dan Marcotte’s 21st-century interpretations. The dramatic retellings are accompanied by music played on the 16th-century Renaissance lute. Some take the form of ballads set to 16th-century French and English tunes.
The event is being produced in part by Illinois Humanities Road Scholars Speakers Bureau, a program that provides organizations statewide with affordable, entertaining, and thought-provoking humanities events for their communities.
Judith, who has been a professional storyteller for 20 years, tells interactive world tales, ancient legends and personal stories. She is an Illinois Humanities Council “Road” Scholar, an Illinois Arts Council Artstour Artist and Arts-in-Education Artist, and an NSN Oracle Award recipient. Her CD with musician Dan Marcotte: Grimm’s Grimmest: The Darker Side of Fairy Tales won a Parents’ Choice Gold Award, a Storytelling World Honors, and a NAPPA (Nat’l Parenting Publication) Honors Award. They were invited to Kingston University, Surrey England, to perform this show at the After Grimm conference, 2012.
Daniel Marcotte, an upbeat and witty performer, combines songs and stories with Renaissance instruments. With a B.M. in Voice Performance and Master’s of Music in Renaissance and Medieval Music, Daniel has performed at the University of Chicago, the Oriental Institute, the Chicago Cultural Center, the Chicago Field Museum, the Bristol Renaissance Faire, and the Chicago Humanities Festival.
For more inforamtion, please call Barb Dust, 708-474-7497
Crescent Jewelers Military Museum and a Stroll around Old Oak Glen
On Monday, September 26, 2016, we are kicking off our meeting series with a “field trip” to visit the Crescent Jewelers Military Museum and walk a bit around the old Oak Glen section of Lansing where the jewelry store is located. Bill Crescent has had a lifelong interest in World War II and has a magnificent collection of uniforms, medals, helmets, etc. along with photos and stories about many of them.
Meet at the lower level of the Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave., Lansing, IL at 6:00 p.m. We will carpool to Crescent Jewelers. Half the group will visit the museum in the basement of Crescent. The other half will do a short walk on Torrence Ave. and Indiana Ave….the heart of old Oak Glen, narrated by Paul Schultz and Rich Dust. Then the groups will switch. After the tours, we’ll carpool back to the library parking lot. Not wheelchair accessible. For information, call Barb 
Dust 708-474-7497.crescent-museum
Natalie Battaglia / The Times
Jewelry store owner Bill Crescent has a huge collection of World War II treasures in the basement of his store. Crescent started collecting items as a boy, when his uncle gave him a war souvenir. He now buys medals, uniforms and diaries of both American and German soldiers.
Lansing Historical Walk on Ridge
The Lansing Historical Walk on Ridge will take place on Monday, June 27, 2016. This year’s walk will feature commentary by Jim Kijewski and Herb Krumm. They will be filling in for Paul Schultz as he recovers from surgery. Herb is a lifelong Lansing resident whose family’s roots go back to pioneer days. Jim is a retired TFS history teacher who is a founding member of the Historical Society. Come join us for an entertaining look at Lansing’s history. Meet behind Gayety’s Ice Cream Shop, 3306 Ridge Rd. at 6:00 p.m. There is no fee for this event.
Dutch in the Calumet Region
All are invited to attend the Lansing Historical Society’s April meeting on Monday, April 25, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave. Author Ken Bult will discuss his book “Dutch in the Calumet Region,” which covers many suburban and Northwest Indiana communities including Roseland, South Holland, Lansing, Munster, and Highland. Mr. Bult grew up in and still resides in the Calumet Region. He has a degree in history from DePaul University and a masters degree from Governors State University. Books will be available for purchase. For more information, call Barb Dust, 708-474-7497.
Lansing’s Fallen Heroes Memorial Day, April 8, 2016
The Lansing Historical Museum will honor Lansing’s Fallen Heroes Memorial Day, April 8, 2016, by hosting a vigil at the museum. Our display will tell the stories of Police Officer Kenneth Novak, Jr., End of Watch 4-8-1992 and LCPL Phillip J. Martini, KIA 4-8-2006. We invite the public to come and learn about these brave and dedicated young men who gave their lives to protect us. The museum, located in the lower level of the Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave., Lansing, IL, will hold special hours from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 8, 2016 The display will remain in place for the next month. For more information, call Barb Dust at 708-474-7497 
The 1955 Standard Oil Refinery Explosion
The Lansing Historical Society invites the public to our next meeting on Monday, March 28, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave., Lansing, IL. This meeting will highlight the Whiting Historical Society’s program on the 1955 Standard Oil Refinery Explosion. It has been 60 years since this devastating fire and explosion rocked the region in August 1955. The program includes a short film and question and answer period.
Our evening will also feature Madeleine Tudor from the Field Museum and Calumet Heritage Partnership. She will present a brief program on the efforts to obtain National Heritage Corridor designation for the Calumet Region. Come and find out how important our region is to the nation as a whole with its unique history of industrialization, ecology and ethnic diversity. The Heritage Corridor can bring national recognition and tourism to our communities.
For more information please contact Barb Dust, 708-474-7497 or barbd728@aol.com.