Civil War Fathers: Sons of the Civil War in WWII
The Lansing Historical Society is pleased to invite the public to its first meeting of the year: Civil War Fathers: Sons of the Civil War in WWII. Author Tim Pletkovich will give a presentation on his book and the process of doing research to complete it. Civil War Fathers is a fascinating book that encompasses almost 100 years of American history in the experiences of eight families in two generations. One generation fought in the Civil War, and their sons and daughters fought in WWII.
This program will be held on Monday, February 22, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave., Lansing, IL. For more information, call Barb Dust at 708-474-7497.
Festival of Lights Christmas Tree Display
The âFestival of Lights, Christmas Trees Around the World” exhibit will open on Nov. 23, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. with a program featuring âWolffgangâ, the girlsâ choral group from Hobart High School. After the performance, the public will be invited to view the 35 trees and displays from 28 countries. Included in the display this year will be stories and holiday recipes from the various countries and a vignette of âAn Old Lansing Christmas.â
The display will remain up through January 6, 2016, excluding Christmas & Christmas Eve, & News Years Eve and Day. Hours are Monday and Tuesday, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., closed on Sundays and Fridays. Tours can be arranged at other times by calling 708-474-7497.
Children are invited to make an ornament at home or school and bring it to the museum to add to the âChildrenâs Tree.â Families are invited to visit and learn about holiday customs by playing our âHoliday Treasure Hunt Game.â
The museum is located in the lower level of the Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave., Lansing, IL 60438.
The History of Our Area Waterways
The Lansing Historical Society will host speaker Mary Carroll of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago who 
will give an overview of how the waterways in the area went from being pristine to being a dumping ground for garbage and finally what was done to improve water quality. A history of sewage treatment and the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan will also be discussed. A 10-minute movie will be shown that will include some valuable present day facts. For more information call 708-474-7497.
An Evening in the Ford Hangar
Have you ever wondered what makes the Ford Hangar at the Lansing Airport so special that it merits a place on the National Registry of Historic Places? Why are people so interested in preserving it that a Foundation has been established? Come and find out the answers to these questions and get a feel for the âGolden Age of Aviationâ as it was experienced in Lansing. The Lansing Historical Society will hold its first meeting of this year actually inside the Ford Hangar on Monday, September 28th at 6:00 p.m.  The Society is hosting a panel discussion featuring people from the village involved with the history, preservation and upkeep of the hangar. The public is invited to this free event. The Ford Hangar is located at the corner of Burnham Ave. and Glenwood Lansing Rd. right behind the Lansing Veteranâs Memorial.
History Walk on Ridge Rd. with Paul Schultz
Historical Society President Paul Schultz will lead his annual Walk on Ridge on Monday, June 22, 2015. Meet at 6:00 p.m. in the parking lot behind Gayety’s Ice Cream, 3306 Ridge Rd.
Paul, born and raised in Lansing, spent years as a mail carrier delivering mail to the businesses along Ridge Rd. His knowledge of the village goes deep. Each year Paul thinks of some interesting tidbits to add; so the walk is never quite the same. Also, participants are invited to add their own insights.
Picnic of the Past and Vintage Base Ball Match
LHS float in the Good Neighbor Day Parade advertising Picnic of the Past.
Lansing Brickmen Vintage Base Ball Team at Autumn Fest, 2014.
Action at the Old Ball Game!
Lansing Historical Society will host its Picnic of the Past on Saturday, May 9, 2015 from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Lan-Oak Park, 180th & Arcadia, Lansing.  The highlight of the event will be the Vintage Base Ball Match between the Lansing Brickmen and the Munster Centennials which begins at noon. Vintage Base Ball uses the rules of 1858. No mitts are used and the player is out if the ball is caught on the first bounce. In this gentlemanly game there is no stealing bases!
There will be a D.J. with dance contests, food by Lynnie-Ques, displays by local historical societies and old-time cars. Come in the costumes of your favorite era of the past. Prizes for the best costumes will be awarded. Come out and join the fun!
Pullman National Monument, Our Newest National Park and What it Means
When: Monday, March 23, 2015, 6:00 p.m.
Where: TF South H.S., 18500 Burnham Ave., Lansing, IL, 60438
The history of Pullman and its significant stories will be highlighted in a presentation and discussion by Michael A. Shymanski, President of the Historic Pullman Foundation. Topics
will include George M. Pullman, the model in industrial town, the strike of 1894, the Pullman Porters and A. Philip Randolph. The proclamation signed by President Obama on February 19, 2015 as an Executive Order focuses on the major events and ideas to be featured in the National Park. Mr. Shymanski is a retired architect and also serves as Vice President of the Dunes National Park Association and on the Board of the Bielenberg Historic Pullman House Foundation.
This event is co-sponsored by the Lansing Historical Society and the Thornton Fractional South H.S. History Club. It will take place in the cafeteria of TF South H.S.,
Photos by Dan Bovino
University of Illinois Master Gardener Talk
Tired of ice and snow? Now is the time to start planning your garden! To help with that, the Lansing Historical Society’s first meeting of the year will feature University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners. They will offer a historic look at gardens and ways to incorporate historic elements into your garden today. Lansing historically was a place of many “truck gardens” providing fresh vegetables for market in Chicago and suburbs. Come and learn about this heritage.
The meeting, which is open to the public, will take place at 6:00 p.m., February 23, 2015, in the Community Room of the Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave., Lansing, IL 60438. For more information, call 708-474-7497.
Festival of Lights, Holidays around the World
All through December and on through Jan. 6th, the Lansing Historical Museum is offering its âFestival of Lights.â
This exhibit features more than 30 trees representing different countries as well organizations in our community. Besides the trees, there are exhibits, costumes, creches and explanations of holiday customs from around the world. One can enjoy the overall ambience of thousands of twinkling lights or stroll leisurely through the trees examining each artifact and ornament and reading about the unique way each country celebrates this most beloved holiday.
Hours are Mondays and Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays, 3-5 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tours at other times can be arranged by calling 708-474-7497. The Lansing Historical Museum is located in the lower level of the Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave., Lansing, Il.
The Legend of St. Nicholas
The Lansing Historical Society will present actor Terry Lynch at its meeting Monday, November 24th at 6:00 pm.
Dressed as the English Father Christmas, Terry will tell the origins of St. Nicholas characters in various countries, popular Christmas symbols, and worldwide Christmas traditions. This program is for the whole family. (No important secrets revealed!)
This evening will also be the gala opening of the annual Festival of Lights exhibit in the Lansing Historical Museum. More than 30 Christmas trees and displays will depict holiday celebrations from around the world and here in town.
The meeting will be held in the Community Room of the Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave., Lansing, IL 60438.