Lansing Historical Society

The old Coolidge School building no longer stands.  The beautiful new building is in use and incorporates many elements of the old building. Now is the time to tell the story of Lansing’s public schools in District 158.  We invite the public to share memories of school days long ago and not so long ago.  Who was your favorite teacher?  Did you serve as a “patrol boy?” Did you win  the “cake walk” at the Fun Fair?   Come and help us build a treasure trove of stories so kids of the future can know about school “back in the day.”

When: Monday, April 22, 2019 6:00 p.m.

Where: Lansing Public Library, Upstairs Stage

2750 Indiana Ave, Lansing, IL 60438

For more information, Call Barb, 708-474-7497

Lansing’s only police officer to be killed on duty, Ken Novak, died on April 8, 1992.  Lansing’s only marine to be killed in Iraq, Phil Martini,  died on April 8, 2006. Each year the Lansing Historical Society mounts and exhibit to honor these two men who gave their all.  Following the vigil on April 8th, the exhibit will remain in place through the month of April. Hours: Monday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 3-5 p.m., and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Monday, March 25, 2019, 6:00 p.m.

Lansing Public Library, Community Room.

2750 Indiana Ave., Lansing, Il 60438

David Jahntz will portray a Revolutionary War surgeon and Jim Nawrocki will portray a soldier of the Continental Army to give us a picture of life during America’s War for Independence.

David Jahntz (“John’s) is a retired graphic journalist from the Chicago Tribune newsroom where he spent over 30 years drawing maps, charts, illustrations. Additionally, he has been a military and medical historian for more than 43 years, involved in researching and lecturing on the late 18th century, the Founding Era of this nation. He has also been reenacting the Revolutionary War period at over one thousand living history events in the Midwest since 1975 and has spoken at Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic District dozens of times in the last 18 years. He has been featured on many TV programs, including The History Channel’s “In Search of History, Frontier Doctors,” A&E’s “American Revolution,” The Discovery Channel’s “Hunting the Lost Symbol” and NBC’s ” Alexander Hamilton.”He has also provided medical support to the National Park Service’s visitor centers’ historic videos.

James C. Nawrocki has been a Revolutionary War reenactor since 1972 and is a member of the North West Territory Alliance, a group that performs at Revolutionary War reenactments around the Midwest.  For this presentation, he will be dressed as a private soldier of a line company. He will explain the uniform and battle tactics of a private solider of the Continental Army and also how they lived every day during the Revolutionary War. He will be happy to answer questions from the audience.

For more information, call Barbara Dust, 708-474-7497.

Did you know that the Underground Railroad existed right here in our neighborhood? Dr. Larry McClellan, retired professor at Governors State University, has done extensive research and is about to publish a book.  He will share his findings which include stories of the freedom seekers and those who helped them here in the south suburbs. Tom Shepherd will speak about the effort to establish a monument to the Underground Railroad at the Jan Ton farm site. Jan Ton was one of the abolitionists who took part in the Underground Railroad. The meeting is open to the public and there is no fee.

When: Monday, February 25, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.

Where: Lansing Public Library, Community Room. 2750 Indiana Ave. Lansing, IL

For more information, call Barb Dust, 708-474-7497

The Lansing Historical Society’s Festival of Lights, Christmas around the World will open on Monday, November 26th at 6:00 p.m with a performance by the TF South Choral Department singing Christmas music on the Library stage upstairs.  The audience will then be invited to view the Christmas trees in the museum and enjoy refreshments in the Community room. This year’s exhibit will feature 40 displays honoring 25 different countries’ holiday customs some including costumes and recipes. The festival will run through January 5, 2019.  Hours are Mondays and Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays, 3-5 p.m., and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tours at other times can be arranged by calling Barb at 708-474-7497. The Lansing Historical Museum is located in the Lower Level of the Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave., Lansing, IL 60438

October 5th, 6th and 7th

We will have a tent at Lansing’s Autumn Fest at the brand new Fox Pointe venue!  Our tent will feature a timeline of Lansing History to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Lansing’s incorporation.  There will be old-time children’s toys for the kids to try, a raffle for a ceramic pumpkin and snowman, and a display of photos of Lansing sites, then and now.  You can try to match the photos up with the names of the venues. This will get you entered into a raffle to win a Lansing village flag! Come to Autumn Fest for the music and the food and don’t forget to stop by our tent.

Anyone up for a walk in the cemetery on a late October night? No worries! We’re doing a virtual tour through Lansing’s Oak Glen cemetery.

Monday, October 22, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.

Community Room of the Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave.

We’ll be cozy and safe indoors as we watch a slide presentation to visit the graves of old Lansing citizens and bring them and their stories to life! There will be photos by Dan Bovino and commentary by Lansing Historical Society members Herb Krumm and Paul Schultz. We’ll also be offering refreshments and tips on photographing in the cemetery for family history.  There is no fee and the public are invited to come and to share their reminiscences as well!

For more information, call Barb Dust, 708-474-7497

Monday, Sept. 24, 2018    6:00 p.m.

Lansing Public Library, Community Room

2750 Indiana Ave., Lansing,Il

The Lansing Historical Society will celebrate the Bicentennial of Illinois with a presentation by Dr. Ted Cable about his book.

If you have been driving through Illinois on I-55 and exclaimed, “There’s nothing out there but corn” you aren’t alone, but you couldn’t be more wrong. Learn why Steven Spielberg visited Waggoner, Illinois, and what fruit Abraham Lincoln used to christen the town named after him, as well as what route was frequented by flesh-eating birds and what antique mall was said to harbor a spaceship. When you travel in the company of LuAnn Cadden and Ted Cable, every mile marker between Chicago and St. Louis hides a story, and even grain silos become adventure destinations.

Ted is a graduate of T. F. South in Lansing, Illinois and a professor at Kansas State University

For more information, call Barb Dust, 708-474-7497

The Lansing Historical Society is proud to present the District 158 summer school Time Travelers musical production, “The Incredible Westward Movement.”  Monday, August 27, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. upstairs on the Lansing Public Library stage, 2750 Indiana Ave., Lansing, Illinois.  We will not have a meeting beforehand.  Just come out to support the kids who love history! For more information, call Barb Dust 708-474-7497.

“Brides through the Decades” has once again been our summer exhibit at the museum.  It always changes, as new gowns are donated every year, adding to the rich history conveyed by the wedding trends.  Hours are Mondays, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 3-5 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tours at other times can be arranged by calling Barb Dust, 708-474-7497.

Exhibit will remain in place until Aug. 19, 2018.