Oak Park River Forest Museum, 129 Lake St., Oak Park

Oak Park River Forest Museum will explore how history education has changed during a “U.S. History at 250” program starting at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27. We’ll look at history in the classroom, out of the classroom and local history.
Speakers will include Tyrone Williams, an AP U.S. history teacher at Oak Park River Forest High School, and two of his students; Dariel Chaidez, social studies teacher at West Leyden High School; and Liesl Orenic, a history professor at Dominican University. Chaidez and Orenic are board members of the Oak Park and River Forest Historical Society.
The format will allow for presentation of a topic, followed by an audience activity. Time has been reserved at the end for reflection. Regular admission rates apply.

Local Event: U.S. History at 250

Cook County

Oak Park-River Forest

Illinois

U.S. History at 250

Oak Park River Forest Museum will explore how history education has changed during a “U.S. History at 250” program starting at...

Oak Park River Forest Museum

Come to Oak Park River Forest Museum to learn about Aquí en Chicago, an exhibit at the Chicago History Museum, from Dr. Elena Gonzales, the museum’s curator of civic engagement and social justice. Gonzales will discuss her work on the exhibit (open until Nov. 8, 2026) and other highlights from her career as a museum professional.
The talk begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, at OPRF Museum, 129 Lake St. Regular admission rates apply.
When students from Instituto Justice and Leadership Academy in Pilsen protested the Chicago History Museum in 2019 over the lack of Latino/a/e representation, they continued a long tradition of resistance against cultural erasure. From overt acts like protests for fair housing and education, to quieter ones like preserving family recipes, native languages, and spiritual practices, Chicago's Latino/a/e communities—present since the 1800s—have always fought to protect their heritage. Aquí en Chicago honors that legacy through art, photography, personal objects, and historical treasures, tracing how these communities have not only persisted but flourished across Chicago and its suburbs.

Local Event: 'Aqui en Chicago' curator to speak

'Aqui en Chicago' curator to speak

Come to Oak Park River Forest Museum to learn about Aquí en Chicago, an exhibit at the Chicago History Museum, from Dr. Elena...

You’ve been saving that Bicentennial quarter for a reason! Bring it to Oak Park River Forest Museum at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11, along with any other 1976 mementos you have (A button? Newspaper clipping? Photos?) and share their stories.
Museum staff and volunteers will be displaying items from our own collections, offering a peek into the everyday stories we preserve and celebrate. Want to share you item with us? Sign up to share by emailing&nbsp; your name and a photo of what you'd like to talk about in advance to oprfhistorymatters@sbcglobal.net so we can plan the afternoon. Each speaker will have up to five minutes to share. Join us to listen to some Bicentennial memories!If you don't have anything to share, join us for a fun afternoon of remembering 1976. Regular admission applies.

Local Event: Stories from '76: A Bicentennial Remembrance

Stories from '76: A Bicentennial Remembrance

You’ve been saving that Bicentennial quarter for a reason! Bring it to Oak Park River Forest Museum at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct....

Forest Home Cemetery

The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest will host its 35th
annual “Tale of the Tombstones” Cemetery Walk starting at noon Sunday, Oct. 18, at Forest Home Cemetery, 863 Desplaines Ave., Forest Park. 
The Historical Society held its first Cemetery Walk in 1992 as a fundraiser to restore the monument of Ashbel Steele, the first white resident of what later became River Forest. Over the decades it’s grown into a popular fall tradition with costumed actors being added. Proceeds benefit the Historical Society.
In recognition of the ongoing 250th anniversary of the nation, this year’s Cemetery Walk theme is “American Movements,” used both figuratively and literally. Our actors will tell the stories of past residents who have participated in some sort of “movement.” One of those “residents” to be featured is Capt. Charles C. Stannard who kept ships moving on Lake Superior after discovering a hazardous underwater mountain in 1847. Hear more of his story on this year’s walk.
Groups of visitors will be led through this historic and beautiful cemetery by trained guides who will point out impressive monuments, mysterious symbols, and burial traditions that span 150 years. At intervals throughout the walk, the groups will stop to hear from the actors.
Tours start every 10 minutes between noon and 1:30 p.m. Choose the starting time for your tour when you purchase your tickets. A tour typically lasts between 90 minutes and two hours.
Tickets can be purchased in our online history store at oprfmuseum.org or by calling the museum at 708-848-6755. Tickets cost $25; $20 for members. Space on the tours is limited. <a href="https://oprfmuseum.org/events/tale-tombstones-cemetery-walk-5" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">oprfmuseum.org/events/tale-tombstones-cemetery-walk-5</a>

Local Event: 35th Annual "Tale of the Tombstones" Cemetery Walk

35th Annual "Tale of the Tombstones" Cemetery Walk

The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest will host its 35th
annual “Tale of the Tombstones” Cemetery Walk starting...

Cheri Bentrup 

Chicago Metropolitan Area

Community Outreach Coordinator for Oak Park River Forest Museum, 129 Lake St., Oak Park, IL

Forest Park

West Side

Bucktown-Wicker Park

North Center-Roscoe Village

DuPage County

David Giuliani

Elmhurst

La Grange

Western Springs

Lincoln Park

Lincoln Square

Lakeview

Oak Park Public Library - Main Library

The League of Women Voters of Oak Park and River Forest Fall Kickoff topic is Getting Out the Vote: Past Gains, Current Landscape, What's Ahead.Featuring three speakers, the program will cover the past gains in voting rights, the current landscape, and a look ahead.Speakers: Jeanne Schultz Angel, Executive Director of the 19th Century Association and president of the Illinois Association of Museums, Edmund Michalowski, Deputy Clerk, Cook County Clerk's Office, and E.J. Fagen, political science professor at UIC.The event is free and open to the public.&nbsp; Mark your calendar. Bring a friend.

Local Event: Getting Out The Vote

Getting Out The Vote

The League of Women Voters of Oak Park and River Forest Fall Kickoff topic is Getting Out the Vote: Past Gains, Current...

Mint Cannabis Forest Park Grand Opening Celebration
Mint Cannabis is officially opening in Forest Park, Illinois, and you’re invited to celebrate with us!
Join us Saturday, September 19 for an all-day Grand Opening celebration packed with great deals, entertainment, activities, and plenty of good vibes.
Come check out the new Mint Cannabis Forest Park location and enjoy:
<ul><li>Up to 50% OFF storewide</li><li>Cannabis brand vendors</li><li>Games &amp; activities</li><li>Giveaways</li><li>Live music</li><li>Grand Opening festivities throughout the day</li></ul>
Whether you're stopping by to check out the new store, meet some of your favorite brands, take advantage of Grand Opening specials, or just hang out and enjoy the celebration, we’d love to have you there.
Doors open at 8:00 AM and the celebration continues until 10:00 PM.
Important Information
Ages 21+ only. A valid government-issued photo ID is required for entry into the dispensary and for cannabis purchases.
Event activities, participating vendors, promotional offers, giveaways, inventory, and discounts are subject to availability and may change.

Local Event: Mint Cannabis Forest Park Grand Opening Celebration

Mint Cannabis Forest Park Grand Opening...

Mint Cannabis Forest Park Grand Opening Celebration
Mint Cannabis is officially opening in Forest Park, Illinois, and you’re...

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Cheri Bentrup , Neighbor

Posting Activity

U.S. History at 250

SEP

27

3:00 PM

Oak Park-River Forest, IL

'Aqui en Chicago' curator to speak

OCT

6

7:00 PM

Oak Park River Forest Museum, 129 Lake St, Oak Park, IL

Stories from '76: A Bicentennial Remembrance

OCT

11

3:00 PM

Oak Park River Forest Museum, 129 Lake St, Oak Park, IL

35th Annual "Tale of the Tombstones" Cemetery Walk

OCT

18

12:00 PM

Forest Home Cemetery, 863 Des Plaines Ave, Forest Park, IL

Getting Out The Vote

Mint Cannabis Forest Park Grand Opening Celebration