Village of Oak Brook

The Oak Brook Historical Society (OBHS) will present a compelling public lecture on Sunday, April 19, 2026, as part of the Audrey Muschler Memorial Speaker Series, examining one of the most consequential periods in regional history: the transformation of Indigenous land into American real estate in the Western Great Lakes between 1673 and 1833.
Titled “The Cultural Contest for the Western Great Lakes: The Transformation of Native Land into Real Estate (1673–1838),” the program explores how Indigenous nations, European empires, and the emerging United States shaped—and reshaped—the land and communities of Northern Illinois. The lecture will be presented by distinguished historians Dr. Ann Durkin Keating
and Sue Devick.
The program invites audiences to consider a challenging and timely question: 
Was this era defined primarily by conquest, subjugation, and betrayal—or was it an inevitable process of human migration, technological change, and political and cultural evolution?
Rather than offering simple conclusions, the lecture presents both perspectives, grounding them in historical evidence and local context.
The program will unfold in three parts. The first examines the period from 1673 to 1795, when Euro-American traders, missionaries, and colonial emissaries operated within a region largely controlled by Indigenous peoples, including the Anishinaabeg (Potawatomi, Ottawa, Ojibwe), Ho-Chunk, Miami, and Illinois Confederacy. The second focuses on the era following the 1795 Treaty of Greenville, when U.S. policy accelerated the transfer of Indigenous land into government ownership and private real estate. The final segment brings history to life through stories of individuals connected to the region around the 1833 Treaty of Chicago, followed by an informal fireside discussion and audience questions.
“This program connects global forces and national policy directly to the land beneath our feet,” said a representative of the Oak Brook Historical Society. “It reflects our mission to explore history in ways that are rigorous, inclusive, and meaningful to our community.”
The lecture is part of the Audrey Muschler Memorial Speaker Series, established in 2025 to honor Audrey Lorraine Jackson Muschler, founder of the Oak Brook Historical Society and a lifelong advocate for historic preservation, civic engagement, and education. The series brings scholars and storytellers together to deepen understanding of Oak Brook, DuPage County, Northern Illinois, and beyond.
The event is open to the public and is expected to be of interest to community members, educators, students, and regional history enthusiasts.
Event Details: 
What: The Cultural Contest for the Western Great Lakes 
When: Sunday, April 19, 2026, 2:00 PM 
Where: Oak Brook Village Hall, Samuel Dean Board Room, 1200 Oak Brook Rd 
Admission: Open to the public
Donations in support of the Audrey Muschler Memorial Speaker Series may be made through the Oak Brook Historical Society.
For more information, visit <a href="https://www.oakbrookhistory.org" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.oakbrookhistory.org</a> or contact OBHS at: (630) 368-7750
About the Oak Brook Historical Society
Located in the historic Butler School, now known as the Oak Brook Heritage Center, the Oak Brook Historical Society is dedicated to the discovery, preservation, and display of historical materials related to the history and heritage of Oak Brook, Illinois. Through exhibits, educational programs, and community events, the Society strives to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Oak Brook’s past

Local Event: Oak Brook Historical Society Audrey Muschler Memorial Speaker Series 

DuPage County

Oak Brook

Illinois

Oak Brook Historical Society Audrey Muschler...

The Oak Brook Historical Society (OBHS) will present a compelling public lecture on Sunday, April 19, 2026, as part of the...

Oak Brook Historical Society Audrey Muschler Memorial Speaker Series 

Oak Brook Village Hall

The Oak Brook Historical Society (OBHS) will present a compelling public lecture on Sunday, April 19, 2026, as part of the Audrey Muschler Memorial Speaker Series, examining one of the most consequential periods in regional history: the transformation of Indigenous land into American real estate in the Western Great Lakes between 1673 and 1833.
Titled “The Cultural Contest for the Western Great Lakes: The Transformation of Native Land into Real Estate (1673–1838),” the program explores how Indigenous nations, European empires, and the emerging United States shaped—and reshaped—the land and communities of Northern Illinois. The lecture will be presented by distinguished historians Dr. Ann Durkin Keating
and Sue Devick.

Local Event: Oak Brook Historical Society Audrey Muschler Lecture Series

Oak Brook Historical Society Audrey Muschler Lecture Series

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