Saturday, January 5, 2013
The author of a new book chronicling Des Plaines history spoke about the work in a video published by the Des Plaines Public Library.
The author of a new book chronicling Des Plaines history spoke about the work in a video published by the Des Plaines Public Library. David Whittingham, readers’ advisor at the Des Plaines library, in cooperation with the Des Plaines History Center authored Images of America: Des Plaines, released in November 2012, and celebrated at a release party in December. Whittingham, speaking at the historical Kinder House, said many people in Northern Illinois think of Des Plaines as being very similar to other suburbs, blending in. “But there’s a lot of very distinctive, special things to Des Plaines, and that’s one of the things I tried to point out in the book is some of those special things,” Whittingham said. Two aspects of the city that have …
Saturday, December 1, 2012
The history of this community is told in a new book written by David Whittingham of the Des Plaines Public Library in a joint initiative with the Des Plaines History Center.
The following was submitted by Joanne Griffin of the Des Plaines Public Library. Des Plaines is an old suburban community that remains vital, in part, because it has been a transportation hub since the mid-nineteenth century. The history of this community is told in a new book written by David Whittingham of the Des Plaines Public Library in a joint initiative with the Des Plaines History Center. The book tells the story of Des Plaines using photographs from the 1830’s to the present day. A book launch party will be held at the Des Plaines library on Friday, Dec. 14. An informal reception starting at 5:30 p.m. will be followed by a talk at 7 p.m. by author David Whittingham about the making of the book. The public is invited to attend. The…
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
“Images of America: Des Plaines” by David Whittingham, in cooperation with the Des Plaines History Center and Des Plaines Public Library, will be available beginning Nov. 26.
A new book that chronicles the growth of Des Plaines will be officially released on Nov. 26. Images of America: Des Plaines, by David Whittingham in cooperation with the Des Plaines History Center and the Des Plaines Public Library, features approximately 200 historic photographs. The book tells the story of a community, called Rand, that began in the 1830’s, when settlers built farms along the Des Plaines River, and follows the expansion of Des Plaines into the modern-day suburb it has become, according to a press release by Arcadia Publishing. A reception to celebrate the book release will take place at the Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood St., on Dec. 14. Whittingham will give a presentation about the book, and will be …
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Des Plaines organizations put together a Saturday full of safe, fun Halloween activities on Oct. 27.
A daylong series of Halloween activities has been lined up for Des Plaines’ youngest residents by the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce, the Des Plaines History Center, the Des Plaines Park District and the Des Plaines Public Library on Saturday, Oct. 27. The big Halloween celebration kicks off with a costume parade in Metropolitan Square in downtown Des Plaines. At the “Safe Saturday Halloween” kids will be given trick-or-treat bags with prizes inside, and will have an opportunity to trick or treat at participating businesses throughout the city following the parade until 2 p.m. Once everyone is revved up on Sweet Tarts, Snickers bars and Mike-and-Ike’s, all are invited to the Des Plaines History Center, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., to decorate sugar…
At a Dia de los Muertos celebration, children who visit the history center on Oct. 27 will be able to experience this fun Mexican tradition.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Des Plaines Patch’s community event calendar lists tons of stuff to do.
When/Where: Friday, Oct. 12, 4 p.m. to midnight at the Administrative & Leisure Center, 2222 Birch St. in Des Plaines. Why Go: Join us for the annual Frightfest Halloween Event at Six Flags Great America. Fee includes transportation and supervision. Bring money to buy dinner, drinks, and snacks. Kids will be on their own in the park; staff will be at designated check-in locations during specific times throughout the night. Trip departs from and returns to the Leisure Center. Be sure to register at least 48 hours in advance. Pricing: Residents $15, Non-resident $18 with own admission ticket or season pass. Residents $60, Non-residents $70 includes an admission ticket. When/Where: Friday, Oct. 12, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Des Plaines …
Thursday, September 27, 2012
The naturalist, explorer, Smithsonian founder was son of Dr. John Kennicott, one of the first doctors in the Des Plaines area.
The mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of one of the Des Plaines area’s most prominent historical figures will be discussed at a special fundraising program hosted by the Des Plaines History Center on Oct. 4. Robert Kennicott was a prolific naturalist, explorer and founding member of the Smithsonian Institution when he was found dead on a riverbank in Alaska in 1866, while on an expedition for Western Union to plan for telegraph lines and collect more specimens for the Smithsonian. In these images we see Robert Kennicott dressed in clothes like those worn by French Canadian trappers at the time, the last known photograph of him in his Western Union uniform, a picture of his father, Dr. John Kennicott, one of the first doctors …
The Des Plaines History Center will host a presentation about the famous naturalist, explorer from what is now Glenview.
The mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of one of the Des Plaines area’s most prominent historical figures will be discussed at a special fundraising program hosted by the Des Plaines History Center on Oct. 4. The presentation will be given by Steve Swanson, director of the Glenview Park District, who worked on behalf of the Kennicott family with researchers from the Smithsonian Institution to exhume the body of Robert Kennicott in 2001 and determine what caused his death at 30 years old. Robert Kennicott was a prolific naturalist, explorer and early member of the Smithsonian Institution when he was found dead on a riverbank in Alaska in 1866, while on an expedition for Western Union to plan for telegraph lines and collect more …
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
When it was built at Graceland and Prairie avenues in 1937 it included the city’s administrative offices, police department and library.
In 1935, Des Plaines' city leadership was feeling cramped, and applied for a grant to find relief. The old Village Hall, built in 1892, was created to serve a much smaller village than the city that existed 44 years later. Des Plaines had grown, with annexations and subdivisions of former farms, a larger administration that had to fit in quite a small space, shared with police and fire. A new municipal building at Graceland and Prairie avenues was dedicated on June 26, 1937. Today, the site provides parking for the Civic Center and the Des Plaines Police Department. Sign up for Patch’s free daily newsletter. The federal government's Public Works Administration aided local projects including this one during the Great Depression. Des Plaines…
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Wednesday, August 15, 2012
The American Indian ceremonial shield last in summer program.
If you stop by the Des Plaines History Center with your children on Wednesday, they can participate in the last session of the American Indian themed children's programs this summer. Parents and children will learn about and construct American Indian warrior and ceremonial shields at the history center, 781 Pearson St., from 1-3 p.m. on Aug. 15. Poster board, beads and glue will be transformed into unique craft projects, said Lori Barrett of the history center. “I think the kids benefit from [the Afternoon Adventures program] because we have to teach them not only about Des Plaines history, but Native American history as well,” Barrett said. “It gives them a little bit more of a feel of what it would be like living with Native Americans.” …
Brian Wolf
3:55 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Thanks Rick. Dave Wolf is my grandfather and took the color slide photos above. more ›