What we’re about
Mission
The mission of the Highland Park Historical Society is to preserve our community’s past, to inspire an appreciation of our history and culture and share with the community and scholars the rich history of Highland Park, Illinois.
The Society is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and is administered by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Society’s operations, exhibits and research collections are housed in the National Register-listed Jean Butz James house.
Museums
The Highland Park Historical Society maintains or preserves three historic structures: the Jean Butz James Museum, the Francis Stupey Cabin and the Robert G. Robinison Bandstand. Click on each image below for more information on each of our sites.
Exhibits and Education
Throughout the year, the Society hosts exhibits, lectures and educational events at our historic sites as well as throughout the community. Educational Field Trips are conducted throughout the year and Teacher Toolkits are available by appointment.
Research Center
The Highland Park Historical Society Archives and Research Center holds approximately 700 cubic feet of research materials. The repository’s collection documents the distinct, diverse community of Highland Park, Illinois and its citizens. The Museum houses a wide variety of items. Some collections of note:
Highland Park City Records; and local collections documenting business, progressive and vocational education in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, cultural life, and photography.
Architecture records of J. Marion Gutnayer and Robert Arnold
Jesse Lowe Smith Photographic Botany Collection
Highland Park Woman’s Club
Ravina Festival programs
Ravinia Artists
Photographs of Highland Park and environs
100 years of Highland Park High School Yearbooks
Oral Histories
Local Artifacts
In 2010 the Society became the recipient of an $86,000 Basic Processing and Preservation Planning Project matching grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, the granting agency of the National Archives and Records Administration. This grant has allowed us to focus on organizing, preserving and making the Collections accessible to the public online.
www.HighlandParkHistory.com
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- American Doughboys in the First World War with Robert Mueller - HybridLink visible for attendees
American Doughboys in the First World War reviews America’s participation in “the war to end all wars” as we take listeners on a trip across the battlefields of Northern France to describe the events, people, and places of America’s contribution to the defeat of the German kaiser. Famous engagements such as Belleau Wood, Cantigny, St-Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne are reviewed with images of what the battlefields look like today. We end by relating the enormous changes that the conflict brought to warfare, society, and populations around the world.
Robert Mueller caught the battlefield bug when, as a child, he visited Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Retirement brought him the opportunity to visit and study the battlefields of Europe. He has written four visitor guides to the battlefields of Northern Europe under the Fields of War imprint which have garnered eleven national book awards including being honored by the Military Writers Society of America. His descriptive format and engaging writing style bring the history, significance, and people of the battlefield to life. He performed his military service in the US Army Signal Corps during the Vietnam era.
Live at:
Highland Park Public Library,
494 Laurel Avenue, Highland Park, IL 60035Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 7 PM Central Time, Admission is free.
If you are not already on our email list and wish to be informed of the zoom link, please e-mail: archivist@HighlandParkHistory.orgAbout the Highland Park Historical Society: The mission of the Highland Park Historical Society is to preserve our community’s past, to inspire an appreciation of its history and culture, and to share them with the community and scholars. The Society is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and is administered by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Archives and Research Collections are housed in the Highland Park Public Library. For more information about the Highland Park Historical Society, visit https://highlandparkhistory.com
Please consider joining the Highland Park Historical Society to support this valued asset!
For further information, please contact the Highland Park Historical Society: 847.432.7090 or archives@highlandparkhistory.org.
- Planes, Trains and Automobiles: Lake County Transportation, 10th Lake CountyLink visible for attendees
Planes, Trains and Automobiles: Lake County Transportation,
10th Annual Lake County History Symposium, Part 1 of 2The Lake County History Symposium is an annual gathering of people interested in the history of Lake County, Illinois. This year's theme is Planes, Trains and Automobiles: Lake County Transportation. Professionals, students, and enthusiastic historians are invited to submit proposals for presentations at the Symposium. Topic Submissions are accepted until November 8, 2024.
From railroads to car racing and leisure boating, Lake County has a long transportation history. Join us at the 10th annual Lake County History Symposium for the theme Planes, Trains and Automobiles: Lake County Transportation to hear local stories. Each day will feature three unique presentations, followed by engaging discussions and Q&A sessions with the speakers.
Please note this information post will be updated once presenters have been approved.
FREE, but must register for each day you would like to attend.
January 9, 2025 registration
January 16, 2025 registrationQuestions? Contact Sarah Salto at ssalto@LCFPD.org or 847-514-6749.
