Winter 2003 Newsletter

Off and Running!

Eklund Center opens with gala; sets year of programs

The Glencoe Historical Society opened with a bang with a special weekend in November, 2001. First a donors’ dinner Friday Nov. 9 and then an open house Sunday afternoon Nov. 11 to show off the new building and exhibits. More than 80 people came for the dinner and enjoyed eating at tables located throughout the building, from the first floor upstairs to the Research Center. We have to thank Barbara Javore—for creating an cooking a wonderful meal ranging from chicken casserole and salad to ethereal desserts. Thanks, too, to the volunteers who helped her both days.

Most of the our visitors—longtime members, new members and donors—enjoyed the tour of the Eklund Center Museum, and many commented on the plethora of tools in the area that ultimately will become an exhibit about the Eklund Family Upholstery Shop. Longtime Eklund family friend Fred Schweiger is working hard on the exhibit, identifying each and every tool. Fred has a double tie to the Museum: His grandfather, Ignatz Schweiger, a butcher, first owned the building at 375 Park Avenue that ultimately became the Eklund home. It was through a Historical Society event that he met Sara Eklund and formed their close relationship. Fred now serves on the Historical Society board.

(A complete news story on the events, including an interview with Sara “Sally” Eklund is included in this newsletter. It was on the front page of the New Trier News, a free newspaper that you can find in the Library’s copier room.)

Visitors enjoyed the collection of World War I posters that Glencoe Public Library Head Librarian Sarah Hammond had collected when Illinois libraries manned the homefront for the war. Still others found it amazing that in such a short time the barn-like workshop had been transformed into a museum with supporting office space, a kitchen, Research Center and storage space. (Those on the Historical Society board aren’t so sure the time was short!) Putting in necessary sewer work for a bathroom, framing for walls and light fixtures inside and out is just the beginning. As our visitors found, we still have lots of work to do: a second bathroom, cabinets and a sink in the kitchen as well as completing the walls.

Many of those who visited last fall have been strong contributors to making the building conversion complete. We particularly want to thank the Henry Pope Foundation for its contribution to restore the terrace to provide safe accessibility to the History Center and Garden and Florence Boone for the 6-burner stove and refrigerator-freezer to make the kitchen a working environment. Others have contributed storage shelves, tables and filing cabinets while still others contributed items of need, ranging from a copier to cameras and historic artifacts and pictures.

The Historical Society is now nicely “at home” in the Eklund Center and is beginning to set dates for events, exhibit viewing and work. A complete schedule is on the second page, but in short, the Eklund Center will be open the first and third Sundays of each month, with history programs scheduled for many of those Sundays from September through June. Of course, if you have a special request or need help, the Center is always open by appointment. And, we have a new phone at the Center. The number is 847.835.0040.

We are working on getting a sign out front so more people will be able to just “drop in” when we’re open. And, we’re also working to fund a path from Park Avenue to the front door. Over the next months, we hope to see all of members—new and old—join us for programs, changing exhibits and to enjoy the resources of the Historical Society. It’s nice to have a home. ⇑

Calendar of Events

The Historical Society will be open at the Eklund Center the first and third Sundays of every month between September and mid-June. Hours are 2-4 p.m. Anyone is welcome on Sundays to view the current exhibit, explore the collection or do research on your house or genealogy. Members of the Historical Society board will be present to talk about Glencoe history, help you research or just schmooze. No registration is necessary. Just come on by and walk in. The Eklund Center is handicapped accessible. For further information, or to set up an appointment, call 847.835.0040 and leave your name and number.

In addition, a series of Sundays are for History programs have been set for from now until June. Clip this page and file it on your refrigerator. We’re sure you’ll want to come to many events!

An asterisk (’*‘) indicates that event requires registration and fee. To register call 847.835.0040, leave your name. Fees paid at door. All events at the Eklund Center, 377 Park Avenue, unless otherwise noted.

*Feb. 3: Tea Talk with Barbara Javore
The British discovered tea in the second half of the sixteenth century. First touted as medicinal, tea drinking became popular when it became social. This social activity was based at home. More fun details about this vital part of everyday life in mercantile English society. A discussion of Victorian teatime traditions and customers, plus tea and crumpets ($10 per person)
Feb. 17: Picture Day
Have some snapshots that not only show your family off, but include scenes from the Village? Bring your family pictures to donate to the Society collection. Help us go through our collection and identify people and places.
Last chance to see the Walk Up Glencoe! poster exhibit.
March 3: Opening of the new exhibition
Miniature Rooms
*March 17: Me and My American Girl Doll.
American Girl Doll party for children 6–12 years, their parents and/or grandparents. Information about Glencoe in the eras of the American Girl Dolls, followed by a tea party. Hats to make, games to play. ($5 per person)
April 7: Research Center Introduction
Volunteers have been working since January to catalog the collection. Want to learn about your house, your family, or the family that lived in the house before you did? Archivist Ellen Paseltiner talks about what the Historical Society collection and how to use the research center.
*April 21: The Glencoe Road Show
Bring in your old items to the Historical Society and have them appraised. After you find out perhaps you’d like to donate some items to the Society’s collection. $15/two items maximum.
May 5: Garden Clean-Up
As the Eklund Garden comes alive, join in a community clean-up day. Hot dogs and soft drinks will be served.
*May 19: Bike Hike of Old Taylorsport
Join a Historical Society Guide on an afternoon bike hike east of the tracks, looking at the earliest settlement sites in Taylorsport and then downtown Glencoe. Begin and end at the Eklund Center. $5 per person
May 27 Noon - 2 p.m.: Memorial Day
Open House and Exhibit following the parade.
Exhibit featuring Glencoe’s participation in America’s wars.
* June 1: Kids Flea Market
Clean out your room and rent a space on the Eklund Center patio. Swap/sell your white elephants for someone else’s. $5/space.
June 14
Closed for the summer. ⇑

The Eklund Center Commemorative Pathway

“By providing an understanding of the past we seek to provide a richer understating of the present.”

The Glencoe Historical Society is offering residents the opportunity to purchase a vintage Park Avenue brick, circa 1915, for inclusion in the Eklund History Center and Garden Commemorative Pathway. The path will run from the entrance of the garden on Park Avenue to the Eklund Center at 377 Park Avenue.

Bricks will be personalized. The bricks will match the patio bricks already in place.

The engraved brick pathway will link the Center with the street and continue the work of the restoration of the former Eklund Furniture Upholstery Workshop. Over the past year, the Eklund Garden has been restored and upgraded through the addition of irrigation, new plantings and a general cleanup. Over the next few years, the garden will be transformed into a Victorian garden and used for Historical Society events. Because the garden fronts a major downtown street, the Historical Society is eager to make its entrance as attractive a possible. ⇑

Thank You For Your Donations

The Glencoe Historical Society thanks all of its donors for donations of funds and contributions that add to the collection over the past three months. For items donated, we particularly want to thank Florence Boone, whose contribution of a six-burner stove and refrigerator-freezer made it possible to have a working kitchen. We also want to thank the Glencoe Public Library for numerous donations, including a copier and table, architectural drafting table, office desk and carpet.

Other donors (through Jan. 2002) include:

Marilyn Black
Girl Scout photos, memorabilia
Christopher Cohen
A Glencoe train sign from a central station signboard.
Glencoe Park District
Six indoor, one outdoor light fixtures
Alice Glicksberg
Vacuum cleaner; Ox harness
Jeffry Harting
A Victorian vacuum cleaner
Charles and Ann Heuer
2-drawer filing Cabinet; news clipping about the “Twinfulest” family at New Trier High school, (not dated; see below)
Betsy Johnston
World II Battles posters
George Moorer
Photocopy of 1886 land map of Glencoe, showing farm ownership
Ellen Paseltiner
Assorted books, including The Country Houses of David Adler, and a biography of Archibald MacLeish
Mr. & Mrs. Joel Sprayregen
Three light fixtures, fax machine
Howard Trienens
Hardcover copy of Landscape with Smokestacks: The Case of the Allegedly Plundered Degas which he wrote last year
Betsy Warren
4-drawer filing cabinet ⇑

Wish List

Here is a truncated/updated wish list. If you can donate any of these items, we would be delighted to take them and give you a charitable donation letter. The Society is a 501(c)3 organization. All items are tax deductible under the restrictions of the law. And, you would be credited with the donation in our newsletter.

  1. Metal shelving, preferably free-standing
  2. File cabinets (We can still use more)
  3. Computer with up-to-date capacity to run Microsoft Word
  4. Computer printer; computer scanner
  5. Camcorder; TV and/or VCR (or a videoplayer) ⇑

Remembrances Of Our Gala Opening…

Barbara Javore at the buffet table;

Sara Eklund in front of the Wake Up Glencoe! Exhibit. Nov. 9th & 11th.

You can still join the Historical Society and be included in our many events. $40 for a family membership; Send your checks to Glencoe Historical Society, 377 Park Avenue, Glencoe IL 60022