Historic Commission volunteer honored for contributions

The city of Wheaton awarded its Volunteer Excellence Award to long-time Historic Commission member Nancy Flannery on Sunday at its annual volunteer brunch at Arrowhead Golf Course.

Flannery has been a commission member since 2014 and served as commission chairman for 10 years. She retired from the commission in February.

The commission, which was formed in 2014, tracks historical events in Wheaton's past and encourages citizens to participate. A major program is asking residents to have their homes listed on a historic register.

Flannery, who grew up in Chicago's Morgan Park neighborhood and Glenview, moved to Wheaton in 2009. She says she has always been interested in history. She recounts that she caught the bug from her Rhode Island grandmother who took her to explore old graveyards.

"I've always liked to uncover old stories and to find out interesting facts," she said.